Citizens Advice Exeter marked 80 years with a Guildhall reception. It began with a £200 council grant in 1946 and helps about 5,000 people a year. How to reach it.

Citizens Advice Exeter has turned 80. The charity marked the anniversary with a civic reception at the Guildhall, and the Lord Mayor presented it with a commendation “for 80 years of outstanding service, providing invaluable advice, help and support to the people of Exeter, whatever challenges they may face”. (Exeter City Council, 7 October 2026)

It started with £200. On 3 October 1946, Exeter City Council agreed that grant to help set up a Citizens Advice service in the city. The council is still one of its funders, alongside Devon County Council.

Today the charity supports around 5,000 people a year with free, independent and confidential advice on debt, housing, benefits, employment and the cost of living. It works with Exeter Foodbank, FORCE Cancer Charity, Hospiscare and the local courts, and representatives of YMCA Exeter, St Petrock’s and Exeter Community Initiatives were at the reception too.

Who was there

The guest list reads as the city’s civic roll call:

  • the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Gemma Rolstone
  • the High Sheriff of Devon, Mark Ansell DL
  • Deputy Lieutenant Teresa Turner
  • the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison
  • fellow Citizens Advice charities from across Devon, and long-serving staff and volunteers

The Lord Mayor said: “Generations of local residents have benefited from the support of Citizens Advice Exeter. Over those 80 years, the issues may have changed but the need has not.”

Mark Ansell said: “One of the honours of this role is to see the incredible volunteers around Devon who do amazing work, especially helping people less fortunate than themselves. That is exactly what you do here at Citizens Advice, so a massive thank you on behalf of all the people of Devon, because it really is so important.”

Richard Willmott, the charity’s chair, called the anniversary “a chance to thank the thousands of people who have made that achievement possible”. Sue Julyan, its chief executive, said: “Every day we see the difference good advice can make to people’s lives.”

The reception was sponsored by Tozers Solicitors and The Exeter.

Key facts panel: Citizens Advice Exeter founded after a council grant agreed on 3 October 1946; that first grant was 200 pounds; around 5,000 people helped each year; helpline 0808 278 7845, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm; drop-in at Dix's Field on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Citizens Advice Exeter in numbers. Sources: Exeter City Council and the charity's own opening times page. Graphic by The Exeter Times.
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What it means for you

The anniversary is the news; the service is what matters. The charity’s own pages give these routes in, which we checked on 11 October: (Citizens Advice Exeter, opening times)

  • Helpline: 0808 278 7845, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Advisers assess what you need and arrange an appointment, a referral or information.
  • Drop-in: the office at Dix’s Field, Exeter EX1 1QA, opens for drop-in and self-help on Monday and Wednesday, 10am to 1pm. It is closed to callers on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
  • Universal Credit first claims: 0800 144 8 444.
  • If you cannot hear or speak on the phone: Relay UK, 18001 then 0800 144 8884.
  • Online first: the national Citizens Advice website carries self-help guides and webchat, and the charity asks people to try that before ringing.

Separate lines run for food and fuel crisis payments through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (0808 278 7845) and for energy bill advice through Reset Energy Advice (0800 995 6890). Translation, including sign language, is available. (Citizens Advice Exeter)

If your problem is a council tax bill, our Exeter council tax bands page sets out the discounts and the support scheme before you ring anyone. Groups that work alongside the charity can apply for the city’s ward grants and City Grants.

Sources