THE Citizens Advice Bureau in West Devon has been awarded a lottery grant to train its advisors to help people over the internet.

The funding from the Awards for All pot, part of Big Lottery Funding, will be used to recruit and train up to 16 volunteer advisers to offer help over email and in web chat sessions. The grant of £7,517 is being awarded to Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice, to offer advice on issues like debt, unemployment and housing.

‘The charity has seen a 35 per cent increase in client issues over the past 12 months as more people in the area require support on complex matters,’ said Vicki Rowe, chief executive of the Devon organisation.

‘Through local pilots, we have established that we can support three clients digitally to every one we can see face to face. Webchat and email advice increases capacity and helps to reduce waiting times and queues at our offices.’

She added that the new advice sessions over the internet would also help people who found it difficult to travel to one of the CAB offices.

Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to call 01237 426070 or email trainingofficer@rural devoncab.org.uk