A COLCHESTER woman who with 52 years of experience is the longest serving Citizen’s Advice volunteer in the country says the charity will always exist as “the people’s champion”.

Margaret Clubb was born in Buckhurst Hill and moved to Colchester in 1940 as a baby, months after Citizens Advice was founded nationally in September 1939 at the outbreak of World War Two.

Colchester Citizens Advice was one of the first in the country when it opened in December 1939.

This month, Margaret and the 40 other staff and volunteers at the office are celebrating the charity’s 85th anniversary.

Citizens Advice - a charity which is not funded by the Government - helps people in nine key areas: benefits, housing, debt and money, consumer, family, work, legal, immigration and health. 

Community - Margaret Clubb was also a magistrate for 25 years in ColchesterCommunity - Margaret Clubb was also a magistrate for 25 years in Colchester (Image: Submitted)

Margaret said: “We are never going to change. We are really going to stay, and we want people to become more aware of us.

“We are the people’s champion. We have the knowledge and competence to know what the public needs, whoever they are, and whatever their problem is.”

Margaret joined Citizen’s Advice in January 1972 after reading about a request for volunteers in her church magazine and getting a reference from her minister.

She was surprised to see how much older the volunteers in their 60s were.

“At that time I thought they were ever so old, but I don’t think that now," said Margaret, 83.

“I have never looked back, and I am still so enthusiastic. I still do it once a week - one week at home, one week at the office."

Margaret, who is a skilled public speaker, has given hundreds of talks to groups, including the Women’s Institute, Rotary Club and churches, to raise awareness of the service.

She said: “If someone has an issue which is a concern to them, then it is a concern for us”

“We give accurate information and skilled advice. We explain legislation, and we can tell citizens about their benefits and how to use them wisely.”

Spirit - Margaret Clubb still says she gets a kick out of going to the office to volunteerSpirit - Margaret Clubb still says she gets a kick out of going to the office to volunteer (Image: Sarah Strutt Photography)

In 1999, Margaret was given first lifetime achievement award by Princess Anne when it was announced she was the longest-serving volunteer.

The following year, she received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.

As she still volunteers, it would be impossible for her not to hold the record, but Margaret also says teamwork, including giving support to staff, is the most important thing.

Citizens Advice successes include getting the Government to pause evictions and bailiffs activity during the pandemic.

Teamwork - Margaret Clubb (centre) said teamwork was the most important part of working at the branchTeamwork - Margaret Clubb (centre) said teamwork was the most important part of working at the branch (Image: Sarah Strutt Photography)

 Margaret says a lot of the work today is about the cost of living, adding that problems had become “far more complex” than in the past.

In-person appointments are now offered in advance in Colchester as well as in multiple outreach locations.

The great-grandmother of who 11 still gets a kick out of going to the office, in the Octagon, on Middlebrough Road.

Margaret added: “Volunteers are the backbone of Citizen’s Advice.

"Above all, I want people to know we are here.”