Citizens Advice pioneer digital appointments at Scotland’s highest village

A new partnership between Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) and Wanlockhead Community Centre is bringing remote advice sessions via video for two afternoons each week, to the highest village in Scotland.

Nestled in the Lowther Hills, Wanlockhead is among one of the region’s remotest places, where isolation, fuel poverty and digital exclusion can be pressing issues for this secluded community.

“We are a remote, rural community, so transport is an issue, even for those with cars, due to the distances we need to travel,” explained Carole Kilshaw, the Community Engagement and Development Officer at Wanlockhead Community Centre. “When we consulted with local residents about how we could best use the Community Centre, one thing they asked for was a Citizens Advice drop in.

“Citizens Advice cover a whole range of advice areas which will be useful to the community here, especially energy advice, being an issue here as Scotland’s highest village where temperatures can drop sharply in winter. The cost of fuel can be prohibitive, leading some people here into making difficult decisions.”

Phil Stewart, D&G CAS Chief Executive is keen for the collaboration to prove a success, “This is a fantastic way to extend the reach of our services into remote communities, in a cost-effective way, bringing advice to where it is needed. We are hopeful these trial video appointments will prove a success, as they could be an ideal way for all of our remote communities to access our lifeline advice service, which meets one of our guiding values of leaving nobody behind.”

Carole would like to encourage Wanlockhead residents to make the most of the service, “To anyone who isn’t used to remote appointments or using IT, don’t be nervous, come along. We have private room facilities and we are always on hand to help. We can take things slowly and there are lots of other things we can help with, such as setting up an email address for you or learning how to use internet shopping and more.”

Six video advice session appointments are available each week, at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Wanlockhead Community Centre and can be booked by calling Carole on 07540 327708.