Bridport and District Citizens Advice is an independent charity. We have our own Trustees and management team. We are fully independent, self-governing, and self-funding. However, we are also part of the Citizens Advice national network. We provide confidential, impartial, and independent advice to anyone living in the Bridport and District area.
We provide free, confidential, independent advice on a wide range of topics including Benefits, debt, housing, employment, relationship breakdown and family issues, consumer immigration, health, and court issues.
Our work meets the Advice Quality Standard for General Help and Welfare Benefits casework. The Advice Quality Standard is the quality mark for organisations that provide advice to the public on social welfare issues.
Our Team
Chief Officer: Rovarn Wickremasinghe; Advice Services Manager: Martin Wood
We also employ an administrator, a specialist benefits adviser and various project workers.
Our Trustees
Jim Smyllie (Chair), Keith Wilson (Treasurer), Jacqui Bishop Linda Child, Mike FletcherJamie Scott, Lavinia Sonnenberg.
Trustee board members and brief biographies.
Our Volunteers
Most of our advice services are delivered by our team of 60+ hardworking and dedicated volunteers. Our volunteer advisers are trained to the highest standard and they all receive ongoing learning and support to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. They are impartial, and non-judgemental in their approach and can advise on a wide range of topics and you can rely on them keeping your problem completely confidential within our service. See our Volunteering page if you’d like to get involved.
Our Finances
We are an independent charity dependent on grants and donations received from several sources.
We are pleased to receive financial support from various sources including Dorset Council and our local Town and Parish councils. We are grateful for donations from businesses and charitable trusts which help us continue our work. The donations we receive from members of the public also help us and we thank all those who are able support us in whatever way.
We are grateful to everyone who supports us financially. If you would like to make a secure donation to help our work, click the Donate button at the top of the website page.
You can read more about our finances in our Annual Accounts.
Download accounts to 31st March 2024.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Bridport and District Citizens Advice is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive working environment free from sexual harassment, where everyone is treated and treats others with dignity and respect.
Sexual Harassment Policy May 2025
Complaints Process
If you have a complaint about our service, please download our complaints leaflet, where you will find out what you need to do.