Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 9 May 2023
Back to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group — 9 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll & Bute Quarterly update By Jen Broadhurst Bureau Manager
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Argyll & Bute CAB > ABCAB is a registered Charity, with offices in Lochgilphead, and Helensburgh and Outreach services available in Dunoon, Oban, Campbeltown, & Mull > Established in 2002, we celebrate our 21st Birthday this year > 12 staff > 16 volunteers
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Twin Aims of the CAB All CAB’s have a twin aim: > To ensure individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available; or through an inability to express their needs. > To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services both locally and nationally.
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Social Policy Work Last Year’s Private Rental Sector Research https://www.cas.org.uk/system/files/publications/argyll_a nd_bute_citizens_advice_bureau_research_into_the_privat e_rental_sector_executive_summary.pdf This year’s Research: Big Energy Saving Network Debt Happens Money and Mental Health Impact of cost of living crisis on Carers
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ABCAB in 2022/2023 • Advised 1,040 clients • 677 new clients • Helped clients gain £1.1 million • And provided 3,120 separate pieces of advice. • Advised 1845 clients • 1239 new clients • Helped clients gain £879,561 • And provided 10062 pieces of advice ABCAB in 2021/2022 Benefits 1450 Consumer 42 Debt 138 Employment 97 Charitable Support 205 Health/Pass Housing 207 Immigration 40 Legal 127 Relationship 85 Tax 127 Utilities 299 Benefits 1701 Consumer 23 Debt 146 Employment 100 Charitable Support 102 Health/PASS 420 Housing 157 Immigration 154 Legal 101 Relationship 69 Tax 138 Utilities 150
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Quality is taken seriously We have a 3-yearly audit by Citizens Advice Scotland, and our latest one in 2021 saw us pass with no recommendations. We undertake quarterly assessment of our advice internally and this is in turn verified by CAS learning and standards team. This is in addition to weekly peer-to peer case checking by all advisers. We deliver competency based training on a monthly basis to all staff and volunteers in the Bureau.
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Volunteers are the life- blood of every CAB Generalist Adviser Training can take 6 months to complete We currently have 16 volunteer advisers and have reopened our recruitment period for our Spring intake Training Starts May 2023
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Housing Debt/Money Advice • For those at risk of Repossession, eviction or debt related issues • Lay representation for some civil court action • Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority • Money Talk Plus
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Patient Advice and Support Service The Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) is an independent service which provides free, accessible and confidential information, advice and support to patients, their carers and families about NHS Healthcare. The project offers the following support and assistance: • Support you if you are going to a meeting • Help you write letters and make phone calls • Help you access your medical and clinical records • Help you find health services and social care • Help you access the treatments, care and support you need
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Armed Services Advice Project We provide free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support to: • members of the armed forces, & merchant navy • their dependents • those who are currently serving • those who have left the armed forces whether they left yesterday or 20 years ago The service covers the whole of Argyll & Bute and advice ranges from benefits through housing and debt to relationship advice.
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Pensionwise Pension Wise is a free and impartial service to help people make informed decisions about how to access their pension savings and plan financial matters in retirement by providing people with guidance about their options. A Pension Wise appointment may help you if you: • Are approaching retirement or close to or over 50 • Have a defined contribution pension pot(s)
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Energy Best Deal
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We are looking for your views! As part of our processes we really need to know what our communities think of the work we do. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ABCABCommunity PartnersSurvey/ We have shared this survey previously, but have had no responses from partners around the forum. Please help Argyll & Bute CAB to continue to help across the region by completing the linked survey