THE 45th anniversary is being celebrated of the West Somerset Advice Bureau, which has seen more than 80 advisers involved across the years in supporting more than 120,000 people.

It began in 1979 when a need was identified for community advice and support across the then-42 parish and town councils which formed West Somerset district.

The chairman of the trustees, Barbara O’Keefe, said: “As we work through our 45th year of operation, we can reflect on the challenges we shared with our community working through the Covid-19 lockdowns and having to find innovative ways of providing support and help to people struggling at this time.

“Securing funding for our ongoing existence is still a challenge, but with the support of Somerset Council, parish councils, and other funders, our staff and volunteers continue to offer free advice to people who need it within our local community, which now covers the 48 parishes across West Somerset.

“Many people have been touched by the service since it began and it feels fitting to acknowledge its work.

“It is important to pay tribute to the contributions of the many volunteers and staff team members who have generously given their time and have supported the charity through difficult as well as exciting times.”

Back in 1979, neither the Government nor Citizens Advice was able to help fund such a service, and so a number of interested people approached local law firms.

Thorne and Thorne, now Thorne Segar, and Risdon Hosegood together devised a plan to set aside a few hours each week for a shared legal advisor to meet and advise clients for free.

The service quickly became a runaway success and a venue was then found in a former Tourist Information Centre in Friday Street, Minehead, and an office manager and treasurer were appointed for what was named the West Somerset Community Information Bureau (WSCIB).

Supported by an army of volunteers, the service helped vulnerable people and those in need across an area covering Stogursey, Holford, Crowcombe, Brompton Ralph, Skilgate, Brushford, Exmoor, Oare, Porlock, Minehead, Watchet, Williton, and East Quantoxhead.

As demand for help grew, the Friday Street venue became overwhelmed by the number of clients, and for a time the advice service was delivered from a caravan in Blenheim Road until new, permanent premises were found in The Lane Centre, a former fire station, behind the old Town Hall, in Market House Lane, Minehead.

West Somerset Council then provided some funding for the advice centre to employ a manager and administrator, and more staff and volunteers were recruited.

A public appeal led by the Free Press saw donations match-funded by then-Somerset County Council which allowed the charity to buy its premises outright.

Because the building needed to be held in trust the charity had to become registered with Companies House and, in 2008, WSCIB became the West Somerset Advice Bureau, which has continued to this day, and it later became part of the national Citizens Advice network.