At Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff, we aim to give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find a way forward.

We achieve this by providing free, independent, impartial and confidential advice, education and support, to people, online, over the phone, and in person. 

As a local charity, we support thousands of people every year, with many different kinds of problems. This gives us unique insight into the challenges that people are facing locally, and our team uses this evidence to campaign for change, to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

Why the community needs us

The cost of living crisis has left many of us in Rhondda Cynon Taff finding it tough to make ends meet. But for some, it is having a devastating impact on their lives, with people choosing between heating their home, buying food or paying their housing costs. Others are being pushed into debt in order to survive, which is resulting in them being worried about how they’ll manage their money in the future.

Our advisers help people in local communities, by providing holistic advice and support on a range of issues to help people resolve their problems and prevent them escalating further.  This may include advice and support on welfare benefits, debt, money, and energy, housing, and/or employment issues to name a few.

Our impact on the community

In 2022/23, we supported over 18,000 people with 168,000 different issues, representing an average of nine issues per person, thus showing the complexity of advice needs locally.  Of the people that we supported, 77% said that their problem was resolved following our support. Around 62% felt less stressed after receiving advice and 57% felt that their physical health had improved. 

We also supported our partners and community groups, by delivering 83 energy events at local community venues to support people with the cost of living and trained 300 frontline workers to recognise the signs of fuel poverty. 

Following an advice session in the community, one client that was supported with budgeting advice said "My adviser was very helpful. She gave me time to talk and recommended different ways for me to save money, as I'm struggling. I'm anxious and she helped a lot. Thank you"