Press release
8 July 2008
Hi-Tech tactics pay off at Citizens Advice
A hi-tech approach at Cambridge and District Citizens Advice
Bureau is paying dividends. Not only is the charity’s website
seeing a huge rise in the number of clients logging on for
advice but supporters can now also make donations by text and
join in with its campaigns on line.
In May, hits to
www.cambridgecab.org.uk peaked at over 17,000, up 4,000 on
April, as Cambridgeshire citizens opted for an electronic
shortcut to advice. Cambridge CAB hopes to attract yet more
online activity with a redesign of the campaigning pages of its
website. These give people the option of not only getting help
with their problems but also contributing their stories and
views on issues that Citizens Advice is campaigning for locally
and nationally. Never mind waiting to be invited to a focus
group or citizens jury, Cambridge residents now have a neat
on-line route to influence policy. But it is not only the
internet which is being brought into play, you can now donate to
your local CAB by text. The credit crunch means more work for
Cambridge Citizens Advice so the bureau needs extra cash to
continue its vital work. Contrary to popular belief, the bureau
is not a government agency but a charity which relies heavily on
donations to answer the 42,000 questions it is asked annually.
Text CAB3 to 82540 to donate £3 or CAB5 to 82540 to donate £5
(permission from the bill payer must be sought).