Citizens Advice Woking (CAW) provides free, confidential and independent advice to people across Woking, helping them find a way forward when life’s problems become too difficult to navigate. The people we support are facing increasingly complex and interconnected problems involving income, debt, housing, benefits and essential living costs, while those most in need of help can face the greatest barriers to navigating complex and increasingly digital systems. CAW combines accessible general advice with specialist expertise in benefits, housing and debt; looking beyond the presenting issue to understand the whole picture and stay alongside people through complex problems. We work across Woking Borough through our town-centre office, outreach and community-based services and partnerships that help us reach people in trusted settings. In 2025/26, we supported 3,621 unique people, with 14,374 specific issues handled, and 18,769 total activities carried out for clients, an average of four issues for every person supported. We also use evidence from our frontline work to influence the policies and practices affecting our clients.

Our advice changes what happens next. We help people increase their income, resolve debt, prevent homelessness, secure essential benefits and regain stability and control. In 2025/26, our work achieved £1.88 million in income gains for local people and helped write off £130,000. By resolving problems before they escalate, we also reduce pressure on local authorities, health services and other public services.