A Local Charity
Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML) is one of London’s leading and busiest advice charities. We were one of the first Citizens Advice services to open our doors in 1939.
With over 80 years’ experience, our services and support are as important today as they were when our work began.
A Growing Need
We are also one of the busiest Citizens Advice services in London. Over the past year for which we have data, (and before the pandemic took hold), , we supported more than 25,000 clients, another year on year increase. These clients sought support for over 32,000 issues, a 9% increase on the year, reflecting the rising complexity of our clients’ advice needs.
The need for our services and support continues to accelerate, bringing a diverse range of challenges for individuals and families. Our focus is on each individual client and their particular needs.
As members of the national Citizens Advice network, we can provide a wide range of advice and support services developed in response to community need. Our services are provided via telephone, online and face-to-face.
A Wide Range of Advice
Some people become empowered to solve problems by themselves. Others require more support and we are there to offer advice and, if necessary, specialist casework support. If you are unsure what to do next or don’t have the confidence to take action, we support our clients to find a way forward.
We want to be as accessible as possible. Get in touch via phone, email, online or face-to-face.
Merton Residents Disability Welfare Benefits
We use our knowledge and expertise to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges affecting individuals and our communities. It also gives us the knowledge to achieve policy changes. Find out more about our Campaigning for Change.
We also provide information and advice support through outreach services in Lambeth Civic Centre and other venues within local communities.
Our aim to is to empower people to empower themselves. But we are always here with further support and advice when needed.
Having an administrative, financial, legal, housing or related concern can affect our lives in so many ways. That’s when people often come to us to help them overcome the barriers they are facing.
Supporting Local Organisations
We can also support you with a number of local organisations including L&Q Housing, Lambeth Children’s Services and Wimbledon Guild. If you are associated with these organisations, by working in partnership with them, we are there to support you in more detail.
The AQS Advice Quality Standard is awarded by an independent group of experts focused on quality within the advice sector. By receiving this award we have demonstrated that we reach the highest standards of organisation, information, knowledge and experience.
Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Our Living Wage commitment means that everyone working at at CAML receives a minimum hourly wage of £11.05. This is significantly higher than the government minimum for over 25s, which currently stands at £7.83 per hour.
How We Started
Mitcham Citizens Advice Bureau was one of the first two hundred Citizens Advice Bureaux that opened in September 1939 after war was declared. The bureau volunteers then helped with rationing problems, tracing missing persons, arranging evacuation and helping with war damage claims.
Annual Report
You can read our latest Annual Report and Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2022
Let us know you if you’re not satisfied
We are committed to providing high quality services. As such we welcome all feedback. We recognise there may be occasions when we do not provide a quality service and we can make mistakes.
Our Complaints Policy and contact details you might need.