CITIZENS Advice Exeter’s long-serving Chair has received an MBE for services to charity and vulnerable people in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Dennis Mardon, who lives in Crediton, has led the independent local advice charity since taking up the voluntary role 19 years ago, following a career in local government.

He said: “I am extremely pleased and honoured to be awarded an MBE. This honour is as much about Citizens Advice Exeter as it is about me.

“I am so proud of everyone involved with our charity – all the volunteers, staff and trustees – for the amazing work they do every day. I always think of them as a family, and without their support and dedication I certainly wouldn’t be receiving this award.

“Our charity’s services make such a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and are needed more than ever amid the cost-of-living crisis.

“Whilst we can measure the financial benefits of advice to our clients, the improvement in their mental and physical health is equally important.”

Dennis (73), said one of the highlights of his time as chair of Citizens Advice Exeter was the charity winning a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2016.

He added: “The UK is a nation where so many individuals and companies volunteer or provide funding so that charities can provide essential services which are not provided by other agencies.

HONOUR

“I would like to think this honour is also recognition of the vital work done by all the local Citizens Advice charities, and our partners at Citizens Advice nationally.”

In 2004, Exeter Citizens Advice (CA) was facing closure but is now a financially healthy, respected, effective and dynamic organisation. 

This is due, not least, to Dennis’s unstinting commitment, leadership, energy and dedication. 

His senior management background and awareness of the importance of good governance has enabled him to develop a Board of 14 Trustees, who increasingly reflect the profile of the community, ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills to support and develop the service. 

He is actively involved with the Bureau on a daily basis, including personally organising a major premises relocation which has been of immense benefit to the organisation and the community. 

Dennis is highly respected by paid staff and in 2019 was chosen as Volunteer of the Year by the 80+ volunteers in the Bureau. 

He is known to be fair but be able to take hard decisions. 

Dennis is actively involved and positively engaged with the wider community and other organisations.

These include Exeter City Council, with whom the Bureau has a five-year contract giving financial stability, CA Devon as a founder Trustee and Treasurer, Devon County Council and CA nationally. 

In 2018, under his leadership Exeter CA partnered, very successfully and uniquely, with Torbay CA to provide them with senior management support while sustaining the quality of service of Exeter CA. 

He is committed to actively supporting other providers of support services e.g. FORCE cancer charity, Devon Carers and Exeter and District MS Society.

CREDITON HEART PROJECT

He is treasurer of the Crediton Heart Project, which runs a local website and aims to build a multi-purpose venue for the town.

He was also a founder member, with his wife Helen, and other members of the community in Crediton, of the Crediton Swimming Pool group which was able to obtain a swimming pool at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.

He is committed to actively supporting other providers of support services e.g. FORCE cancer charity, Devon Carers and Exeter and District MS Society. 

LEADERSHIP

The success of his leadership during the past 18 years with Exeter CA is reflected in the organisation's 2020/21 Impact Statement which showed a 92.3 per cent satisfaction rate with the 29,658 issues dealt with by the service.

During the past year Citizens Advice Exeter has helped nearly 6,000 people through a mix of online services, self-help facilities, telephone and face-to-face appointments, giving advice on nearly 22,000 issues.

Volunteers and staff helped access £4 million in financial gains for those who were seeking advice. This money has a huge impact on those people’s quality of life and is largely spent in the local economy.

In addition, Citizens Advice Exeter has saved government and public services some £1.9 million in the last year, and provided wider economic and social benefits (social value) of some £14.4 million per annum.

Advice and information is available from: www.citizensadvice.org.uk .

Advice and information are also available by calling the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 278 7845 between 10am and 4pm, Monday – Friday.

More information about Citizens Advice Exeter can be found at: www.citizensadviceexeter.org.uk .