One of Whitehill & Bordon’s most important organisations has received a three-year funding boost in proof of its importance to residents.

East Hampshire District Council has agreed to give £186,000 a year to Citizens Advice in a response to the rising cost of living and the service’s vital role.

Citizens Advice East Hampshire helped around 6,000 people last year, giving free impartial and confidential advice to people struggling with issues like debt, family problems and homelessness.

Their office in the Forest Community Centre is one of three in the district with Whitehill Town Council also agreeing last October to a deal that will see CAEH get £13k per annum for the next five years.

The service has received core funding from the district council for the last decade with Cllr Adeel Shah, town councillor and EHDC Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, hoping the new deal will give the CAEH scope to plan for the future.

He said: “For years CAEH has been a trusted and reliable refuge for thousands of local people who find themselves in difficulty.

“Rising prices, fuel poverty and the spiralling cost of living are forcing more and more people towards debt – and that makes services like this more important than ever.

“I am proud that EHDC has always stood up to help them with annual funding, and I am particularly pleased that this year we have been able to set aside money not just for the coming year, but for the next three years.”

“Providing a three year funding agreement is clear recognition by EHDC of the vital lifeline we provide for local residents,” said Chief Executive, Helen Drake.

“It helps them to deal with the problems they face, manage their lives despite the high cost of living as well as avoid crises such as bankruptcy or homelessness.”