Citizens Advice Lewisham (CAL) is the lead agency in Advice Lewisham, a network of the main free advice providers in the borough.

This partnership comprises the following organisations:

• CAL
• Age UK Lewisham & Southwark
• Community Advice Works (formerly known as 170 Community Project)
• Lewisham Multilingual Advice Service
• Lewisham Refugee & Migrant Network

Together, the partnership staffs the Lewisham Advice Line telephone service and meets regularly to co-ordinate and improve local advice services. Advice Lewisham regularly surveys its clients in order to understand their experience of the service. In January 2019, CAL hosted the first Advice Lewisham Client Forum and set up an ongoing Client Reference Group, in order for the partners to hear first-hand how clients think the service could be developed.

Citizens Advice Lewisham supports the grassroots campaign for Lewisham to be designated a ‘sanctuary borough’, ensuring the protection of rights for all migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.  We participate in the cross-sector Lewisham Migrant Forum.

If you wish to attend the Forum, hosted by Voluntary Action Lewisham (VAL), tickets are made available via the following link: valewisham.org.uk/events

More information on the work of City of Sanctuary UK can be found on their website: cityofsanctuary.org

LLC is a partnership between CAL and Southwark Law Centre and aims to increase access to high quality specialist legal advice for disadvantaged residents in Lewisham who cannot afford a lawyer.

The service adds to the services that members of Advice Lewisham partners currently offer. Lewisham Law Centre is currently based at Citizens Advice Lewisham in the Leemore Community Advice Centre.

Clients are referred to LLC by CAL and Advice Lewisham partners, as well as external agencies.

For more information CLICK HERE

CAL receives targeted funding for debt services from Capitalise, L&Q and Phoenix Community Housing. Clients receive a comprehensive service (primarily face-to-face), including assistance with approaching creditors and bailiffs, budgeting, and a review of their benefits.

The Capitalise service provides advice and casework for those in Lewisham who are experiencing debt issues.

Phoenix and L&Q are Housing Associations with a significant local presence and CAL offers debt advice to their tenants, either via referral from the Housing Association, or self-referral.