Helping the community for 80 years
The first Citizens Advice service in Harrow was formed in 1939 specifically to give advice on problems arising from the start of World War II, which had been declared the day before. The office was located in a former temperance bar/ teahouse in Pinner High Street called Ye Cocoa Tree. Shortly afterwards three more Citizens Advice offices were set up.
The service was finally centralised in one place and in 1991 Harrow CA moved to Harrow Civic Centre, where it has been based ever since. From this base, staff have taken part on outreach projects across the borough of Harrow.
The ethos of Citizens Advice is well illustrated by its statement of aims and principles, which is:
‘The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. Its aims are to provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.’
Our commitment to service
Throughout its existence, the Citizens Advice service has adapted and developed to help people with changing circumstances and problems. As well as providing advice it has also worked hard to positively influence social policy and legislation to help clients.
Citizens Advice consists of a team of paid and volunteer staff, from the local community, who speak a wide ranges of languages and the service aspires to reflect and engage with the local community in all its diversity. All receive training and have access to excellent advice resources and expert support. Due to the commitment of its staff and the support of the local community and funders, Citizens Advice has succeeded not just in surviving but in maintaining a consistently high standard of information and advice to residents.
