History
“The CAB Service in Edinburgh was set up in 1939 and was one of the first CABs in the UK. Its staff and volunteers have been providing free, confidential, impartial and independent advice ever since.”
HRH, The Princess Royal, Patron of The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureau meeting volunteers at Citizens Advice Edinburgh's 75th Anniversary Reception on 15th January 2015
When World War II was declared, the CAB Service opened to give advice about evacuation, allowances and pensions, and to help trace soldiers lost in battle or taken as prisoners of war.
Citizens Advice Bureaux have come a long way since the 1930s when the “Citizens Aid Bureaux” were part of the domestic strategy to help the population during wartime. Bureaux were initially seen as a short term measure but it was clear that when the war ended there were many more problems for the population as the government tackled re-housing, employment and re-deployment, training and education, and the introduction of welfare benefits.
Continuous changes in society have meant that the CAB Service has had to change and adapt to meet new needs and to widen its information base. Our information system is continually updated to take account of new legislation as it is passed. This allows us to provide up to date information and advice.
Whilst Citizens Advice Edinburgh is an independent charity, it is part of a national voluntary advice service, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), which has around 61 member bureaux in Scotland.
For more information about our work please see what we do.
Please also take a moment to visit our ways to help us pages and help support our vital, frontline work.