Volunteers and councillors marked 85 years of sound advice this week at a special celebration for Citizens Advice East Hampshire.
The organisation is funded by an annual grant from East Hampshire District Council to ensure residents have access to the knowledge, confidence and help they need.
Launched in September 1939, a day after Britain declared war on Germany, to help deal with problems relating to the loss of ration books, homelessness and evacuation, the charity now helps people with debt and money problems, consumer issues, family troubles, legal disputes and so much more.
EHDC provides Citizens Advice East Hampshire with £186,000 a year which helps to fund the service currently delivered in Whitehill & Bordon, Alton and Petersfield.
Councillors met with volunteers and with Helen Drake, CEO of Citizens Advice East Hampshire, to celebrate the big day.
Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, said: “We are proud to have supported Citizens Advice East Hampshire through significant financial contributions over a number of years to ensure they can continue their vital work.
“Their volunteers provide invaluable assistance to residents facing legal, financial and personal challenges, and make a huge and positive impact on our community.
“We are very fortunate in East Hampshire to have three Citizens Advice offices, one in Bordon, Alton and Petersfield. In a rural district like ours it is important to have offices in the main towns so everyone can access these services.
“It was a delight to join Helen and the volunteers on this important anniversary.”
Helen Drake said: "Thank you so much to the EHDC councillors for joining us in our Bordon office to celebrate 85 years of Citizens Advice support to local residents.
"The financial support that EHDC provides allows us to continue helping residents with the problems they face - whoever they are, whatever the problem and wherever they live in the district. We could not continue without the crucial core funding from EHDC and are so grateful for the council's continued support over the years.
"We are looking forward to the future, continuing to help people in an impartial and confidential way with any issues they face at that time - please do call, email or drop into our offices if you need our help."
In addition to the core annual funding EHDC also funds projects to address specific needs in the district, including the Debt Caseworker, who focuses primarily on debt advice, and an outreach worker who visits East Hampshire's more rural towns and villages to provide support and signposting to residents in those locations.