A CHARITY that helps people across Pembrokeshire manage their bills, find housing, and understand their rights has a new chief executive.

Geraldine Murphy is leading a team of 50 staff and volunteers at Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire as they deliver vital advice, information, and support.

Geraldine brings experience of working for Children In Wales, a major Welsh charity, and has worked to improve support services for family and combat poverty.

She previously worked for Pembrokeshire County Council, where she had responsibility for leading multi-agency partnerships which developed new services within communities and schools, and ran a freelance consultancy business specialising in community research.

Geraldine said: "I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to lead the work of the Citizens Advice Service in my home county.

"I have been warmly welcomed by staff, volunteers and trustees and I’m hugely impressed by everyone’s knowledge and skills and by their commitment to helping people with their problems.

"We are experiencing rising demands for our services and these are difficult and uncertain times for many people.

"I will be working with our whole team to ensure that we grow in strength and ability to meet the needs of our clients.

"I’m committed to working in partnership with other organisations in the county so that we can get help to people when and where they need it, no matter what their circumstances.

"I will also be focused upon attracting more volunteers who are an essential and valued part of our team."

Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire is a local independent charity which operates out of its main offices in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, nine outreach locations and three job centres across the county.

It also provides home visits when necessary.

Advice and information is provided, face to face, over the phone, online and via email.

Every year thousands of people come to Citizens Advice for help in solving their problems, such as managing debt or household bills, understanding their rights at work, housing issues or problems with their benefits.

It also offers a service for people with mental health issues who want to take control of their finances, called Money in Mind.