Charitable support from the Sure Community Foundation means that advice is easier to access for islanders thanks to Sure’s cloud voice solution.
During the first Guernsey lockdown, in 2020, Citizens Advice was solely reliant on its St Sampson’s office as a base from which to help islanders. Now, having worked with Sure’s expert team to find a solution to this limitation, the charity’s volunteers will soon be able to work from home.
Sure’s cloud voice solution channels telephone calls over the internet and can utilise traditional handsets or be installed on mobile phones or laptops, meaning the Citizens Advice team will be able to work remotely and answer calls from islanders. Previously, the charity had only two telephone lines available, which often resulted in islanders not being able to get through because the lines were busy. The Sure cloud voice solution provides more lines, enabling islanders to access advice faster.
Alison Vine, from Citizens Advice Guernsey, said: “Thanks to the team at Sure, and the donation from the Sure Community Foundation, we’re equipped to be able to help islanders wherever we are, and clients can reach us faster. We are in a stronger position than we were during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.
“The pandemic heightened the need for our services, and we’re pleased that now we can provide advice on a range of issues for the community with flexibility and regularity.”
Jason Fitton of the Sure Community Foundation was pleased to help: “Citizens Advice Guernsey provides a vital service and we’re glad to play our part in helping the team stay connected, wherever they want or need to work from.”
Citizens Advice Guernsey is a local charity but is a member of the National Citizens Advice network. Its trained advisers provide a free and confidential service and offer information and advice to clients on almost any subject.
Guernsey-registered charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding from the Sure Community Foundation by emailing: communityfoundation@sure.com.