Members of our customer policy team met the Princess Royal during her visit to Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck (EDP) in May.
Princess Anne, who is patron of National Citizens Advice, was shown around the Advice Bus that Wessex Water helped to fund by Social Policy Managers Jack Sanders and Anna Symonds.
Anna said: “Princess Anne told us about how she remembers when Citizens Advice started in the back of an old horse box, and now it’s like we have gone full circle with the Advice Bus!”
Since hitting the road in 2023, the Advice Bus has helped more than 3,000 residents in rural communities access support and guidance for a range of issues, including help to afford their water bills.
From the bus, customers can be referred to receive support with our Priority Service register and Help to Pay schemes with the help of a specialist case worker.
Jack said: “Princess Anne highlighted how vital it is for rural communities to have access to face-to-face advice, which the bus service plays a key role in delivering.
“It was a real pleasure to meet her—she was incredibly down-to-earth and genuinely impressed by the impact of the bus project. It was a privilege to attend the event and to have HRH see firsthand how our collaboration with EDP Citizens Advice is making a difference for our customers and the wider community.”
Anna said: “The visit was a real success and helped to highlight the brilliant work of the advice bus.”
If you have an event that you believe would benefit from our attendance, please reach out to us at CommunityPartners@wessexwater.co.uk.
