CITIZENS Advice services in Babergh and Mid Suffolk have received significant financial backing as part of the latest round of community funding from district councils.

Through the councils' Community Development Fund, Sudbury & South Suffolk Citizens Advice has been awarded £103,000, while Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice has received £129,265.

These local Citizens Advice branches are recognised as key strategic partners of the councils and, by receiving these crucial funds, they can continue to provide residents with free and essential guidance on everything from housing and debt to benefits and wellbeing support.

Cllr Laura Smith, Babergh District Council cabinet member for thriving communities, said: "Citizens Advice offers a unique and invaluable service to the residents of our communities and we know that many rely on this service week in, week out.

"That's why I'm pleased that we have once again been able to offer significant funding to our local branch, helping to ensure that the service remains open and available to anyone, whenever they might need it."

The two grants are part of a wider £813,752.88 investment into local VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) organisations as part of this year's Community Development Fund awards.

Funding from Babergh goes to:

The fund was introduced by the councils in 2025 to streamline how grants are administered, simplifying the application process for organisations seeking funding.

Each year, VCFSE organisations are encouraged to apply for up to £20,000 to put toward new or existing projects that provide important services and support to their communities.

Including the two larger Citizens Advice awards, 46 successful applications were approved, with £206,694 shared among 14 organisations in Babergh, and £607,058.88 split between 32 organisations in Mid Suffolk.

These grants have been allocated to a wide range of projects, supporting everything from sports clubs and village halls to voluntary groups and local charities.

Cllr Teresa Davis, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for thriving communities, said: "Awarding grants to community groups is some of the most important work we do. Support within the community is vital, so I'm delighted to see another 32 organisations in Mid Suffolk making the most of our Community Development Fund this year.

"The Citizens Advice Bureau especially is one of the best services we can offer our residents – it has a broad range of expert advice that can be trusted and is invaluable. In addition, we have been able to fund a diverse mix of community ideas and I'm looking forward to seeing our communities directly benefiting in the months to come."

For more information about the Community Development Fund, visit the Babergh and Mid Suffolk websites.