{"id":1454,"date":"2026-07-14T11:42:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/?page_id=1454"},"modified":"2026-07-28T17:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:03:53","slug":"news-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/news-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"News &#038; Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row el_class=&#8221;py-0&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"row g-0 box overlay default-bg  box-with-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/BAF1101_sm.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"w-100 h-100 box-image\"><div class=\"box-overlay bg-white rounded-5 me-auto p-4 p-lg-5\" style=\"max-width:420px\"><div class=\"panel vstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"title text-start text-primary\"><h1 class=\"text-primary h3\">Explore the latest news &amp; stories<\/h1><p class=\"subtitle text-default\">At Citizens Advice Rotherham, we don't just help people solve their immediate problems, we look at the bigger picture. By using real client case data, local statistics, and frontline trends, we influence decision-makers to fix the root causes of hardship. We call this Research and Campaigns.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container_width=&#8221;container-sm&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"row g-0 box overlay accent-bg \"><div class=\"panel vstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_column-&#8221;35&#8243; vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner  my-auto\" data-content-placement=\"my-auto\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><p class=\"top-title secondary-bg\">Latest news<\/p><h3 class=\"\">Featured Insight: Rotherham Financial Landscape<\/h3><p class=\"subtitle text-default\">(Updated June 2026)<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  \" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>Our latest partnership data shows that financial and debt strains are sharpening across the borough. Debt-related enquiries have spiked significantly, reflecting a <strong>14% rise in cost-of-living pressures<\/strong> year-on-year and a <strong>24% increase in complex debt issues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_separator_no_text vc_sep_color_&#8221;white&#8221; wpb_content_element  wpb_content_element\" ><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div><div class=\"title text-start\"><h4 class=\"\">Tackling Digital Exclusion and Loneliness in Rotherham<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  \" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>We are launching a new research project to investigate how digital exclusion, <strong>difficulties accessing healthcare, and loneliness<\/strong> are impacting the well-being of local residents.<\/p>\n<p>Our goal is to combine internal data with real-life stories from the community to create a powerful evidence-based report. We will use these findings to lobby local MPs for real change and campaign for better funded services to improve patient experiences across Rotherham.<\/p>\n<h5>Get involved<\/h5>\n<p>We will soon be launching surveys online and visiting local community hubs, supermarkets, and food banks to hear from you directly. Keep an eye on our website and social media to share your story and help us build a more connected Rotherham.<\/p>\n<h5>National evidence submissions<\/h5>\n<p>Locally, our teams have converted frontline advice sessions into 11 detailed case studies used to submit evidence directly to the national Personal Independent Payment (PIP) and Sir Stephen Timms welfare reviews.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_separator_no_text vc_sep_color_&#8221;white&#8221; wpb_content_element  wpb_content_element\" ><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div><div class=\"title text-start\"><h4 class=\"\">Our 2026\/27 Campaign Calendar<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element   &#8221;mb-0&#8243;\" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>We shift our public campaigning every quarter to focus on the most critical issues facing Rotherham:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"chevron-list\">\n<li><strong>Current Focus (July \u2013 September):<\/strong> Digital Inclusion &#8211; with very limited local digital support available, we are spotlighting the severe impact of digital exclusion. We are campaigning for affordable digital connectivity and running back-to-basics training sessions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Upcoming Focus (October \u2013 December):<\/strong> Winter Warmer &amp; Wellbeing &#8211; targeting winter fuel poverty, energy costs, and multi-agency seasonal responses to support vulnerable residents during the coldest months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container_width=&#8221;container-sm&#8221; gap=&#8221;gap-5&#8243; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; el_class=&#8221;py-0&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"row g-0 box seperate default-bg decorative_quote box-shadow box-with-image\"><div class=\"col-lg-6 \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Serious-mature-woman_iStock_1199677896_crop.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"w-100 h-100 object-fit-cover\"><\/div><div class=\"position-relative col-lg-6\"><div class=\"panel hstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><p class=\"top-title accent-bg\">Case study spotlight<\/p><h3 class=\"divider default\">The reality of digital exclusion<\/h3><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element   &#8221;mb-0&#8243;\" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p><strong>The challenge:<\/strong> A 78-year-old resident with visual impairments needed an urgent GP appointment for severe foot pain but was told it could only be requested via an online form. She travelled to the surgery for help but was turned away by reception and told she still had to submit it digitally, leaving her feeling frustrated and excluded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The support:<\/strong> A Citizens Advice Adviser at the surgery stepped in to guide her through the online form step-by-step.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The outcome:<\/strong> The request went through, and she saw her GP that day, but she shared that she could never do this alone due to her eyesight. As she put it: <em>\u201cI should be able to book an appointment in person or over the phone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><span class=\"bg-tag\">Real story<\/span><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container_width=&#8221;container-sm&#8221; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; full_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;mb-4 mb-lg-0&#8243;]<div class=\"row g-0 box overlay accent-bg \"><div class=\"panel vstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><p class=\"top-title secondary-bg\">Real story<\/p><h4 class=\"\">Bridging the advice gap<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element   &#8221;mb-0&#8243;\" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>A client facing severe debt-related anxiety was shuffled between phone lines and various outreach venues before reaching our town centre hub. By deploying our newly launched <b>energy Support Packs<\/b> and providing a warm, immediate handover to an in-house energy expert, we wrote off emergency fuel stress and stabilised their household finance without putting them on a long waiting list.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; full_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;mb-4 mb-lg-0&#8243;]<div class=\"row g-0 box overlay accent-bg \"><div class=\"panel vstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><p class=\"top-title secondary-bg\">Real story<\/p><h4 class=\"\">Breaking the language wall<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element   &#8221;mb-0&#8243;\" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>Many clients describe entering local support services and feeling blocked by a &#8220;language wall&#8221; of confusing internal jargon and acronyms.<\/p>\n<p>Through our grassroots community outreach, such as <strong>&#8220;Cuppa with CARD&#8221;<\/strong>, we sit down to chat in plain English, ensuring vulnerable users never feel excluded or judged.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container_width=&#8221;container-sm&#8221; el_class=&#8221;py-0&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"row g-0 box overlay secondary-bg corner_circles\"><div class=\"panel vstack\"><div class=\"order-1 order-lg-0\"><div class=\"title text-center\"><h2 class=\"\">Help us change policies<\/h2><p class=\"subtitle text-default\">Are you experiencing an issue that you think is unfair? Your lived experience provides the exact data we need to change local and national laws.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_column-&#8221;gap-30&#8243; vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner  my-auto\" data-content-placement=\"my-auto\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><h4 class=\"\">Share your experience<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element   &#8221;mb-1&#8243;\" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>If you have struggled with upfront rental costs, confusing Universal Credit delays, digital access barriers, or disability benefit reviews, we want to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"btn-container inline-btn-container\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/news-stories\/send-us-your-story-form\/\" class=\"btn btn-light\"  ><span><span class=\"d-block\">Send us your story<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner  my-auto\" data-content-placement=\"my-auto\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"title text-start\"><h4 class=\"\">Strict confidentiality<\/h4><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  \" >\n    <div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n      <p>We treat your information with total privacy. Local client data sets are entirely de-identified before being used for statistical analysis or shared with trusted research partners like universities. We will <em>never<\/em> use your identifying details or specific personal story without your explicit, written consent.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container_width=&#8221;container-sm&#8221; gap=&#8221;gap-5&#8243; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"title text-start\"><p class=\"top-title accent-bg\">Other ways to get involved<\/p><h3 class=\"\">Become a Campaign Volunteer<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;mb-0&#8243;]To eliminate &#8220;Time Poverty&#8221; and accessibility dead-ends, you do not need to wait in long phone queues to make your voice heard &#8211; become a Campaign Volunteer.<\/p>\n<p>Our R&amp;C team relies on community volunteers to map local trends and expand campaign capacity. If you want to help fight for the people of Rotherham, <a href=\"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/volunteering\/\">apply to join our volunteer network today<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe title=\"YouTube video\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x5sYJlCob-c?si=kpd--oH75nlYtvml\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Explore the latest news &amp; storiesAt Citizens Advice Rotherham, we don't just help people solve their immediate problems, we look at the bigger picture. By using real client case data, local statistics, and frontline trends, we influence decision-makers to fix the root causes of hardship. We call this Research and Campaigns.Latest newsFeatured Insight: Rotherham Financial [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1454","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1454"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1939,"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1454\/revisions\/1939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloudpress.co.uk\/rotherham\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}