CITIZENS Advice East Hampshire has upgraded its website and can now offer ‘real time’ online help via webchat and e-mail to people living or working in the district.

Jon Stuart, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Hampshire, said: “The aim is to improve access to free impartial advice in the area. It is part of the commitment of Citizens Advice nationally in providing accessible advice for all by making much better use of phone and digital channels.”

The new website – citizensadviceeasthampshire.org.uk – provides a useful ‘get advice’ section with answers to frequently-asked questions and links to the extensive advice on the national Citizens Advice website.

There is also the option to use the webchat facility during office hours or to send an e-mail enquiry direct to Citizens Advice East Hampshire.

Both webchat and email are manned 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday by experienced and fully-trained Citizens Advice advisers who will also have the knowledge and information to help people with their problems.

According to Mr Stuart, Citizens Advice East Hampshire, in partnership with Citizens Advice Havant, is part of a pioneering group of around 30 Citizens Advice offices across the country developing new ways of accessing advice.

He said: “The national webchat and e-mail project has exceeded all expectations in the numbers of clients helped. The combination of real-time advice and anonymity could be one of the reasons it has been so successful to date.

“Clients can get advice without giving all their personal details and advisers can offer a phone-back service for those clients whose enquiry is a bit more complex or who need a personal touch.”

District business manager Chris Greenslade said: “Webchat and e-mail will bring our advice service to a wider range of people, some of whom have difficulty visiting us during opening hours.”

And he added: “With cuts to legal aid and public spending, free easy-to-access advice will be ever more vital to ensure that people from all backgrounds can get the help they need to deal with the problems they face.”

People needing advice can visit their local office, phone the advice line on 0344 4111306, or access the web chat or e-mail service via the website citizensadviceeasthampshire.org.uk.