Dalkeith & District Citizens Advice Bureau opened its doors in the summer of 1966. Soon, the charity gained a reputation as THE place to find information, on everything from applying for council housing to Equal Pay at work.

Over the past six decades, much has changed in Midlothian. But Dalkeith CAB continues to be a trusted source of information and advice for people who live and work in the area. Some developments in that time include:

• Training. Advisers complete accredited training and regular updates to ensure information provided is accurate and the service both sensitive and professional. The CAB also provides information and learning sessions for practitioners from other agencies to build their capacity for supporting their own service-users.
• Quality. Cases are independently checked for accuracy and completeness and the CAB is subject to quality auditing by Citizens Advice Scotland (the networking body for bureaux) and Scottish National Standards for Advice and Information Providers.
• General and Specialist Advice. In addition to general advice, Dalkeith CAB provides specialist services delivered by Advisers with training and experience, including on housing, debt and employment. All advice focusses on helping people gain the knowledge, skills and confidence for making informed decisions.
• Outreach Clinics. Advice and information is now most often provided within local neighbourhoods in libraries, community centres, food pantries, and similar.
• Remote Advice. Advances in technology have opened up new options for advice and support via phone, email and real-time video conferencing.
• CAB Projects. Increasingly, the CAB provides services to people experiencing disadvantage via projects - for example for for older people facing financial hardship, parents on low incomes, unpaid carers and isolated and vulnerable men.
• Volunteering. Volunteers are still the backbone of the CAB service, contributing their skills and experience, gaining new knowledge, and making a positive contribution to their community.
• Partnerships. Dalkeith CAB works closely with a range of third and public sector helping services to share expertise, maximise resources, reduce the risk of duplication and improve co-ordination of activities.
• Social Policy. The CAB engages with decision-makers at the local and Scotland level, using evidence from its own activities and services to call for changes in policy to reduce poverty, increase opportunities and improve the health and wellbeing of people in Midlothian.