Citizens Advice Bureau helps locals save £1.5m over last year
CITIZENS Advice Bureau (CAB) has helped Shetlanders secure more than £1.5 million during the last financial year.
The charity, which held its latest AGM last night (Wednesday), has provided advice and support for hundreds of islanders to access benefits, tackle debt, reduce energy costs and improve their financial security.
More than £1.4 million was secured through successful benefit applications, appeals and back payments.
Almost £1 million of this came from disability benefits, providing additional financial support for children, working-age adults and pensioners living with long-term physical or mental health conditions.
CAB also helped clients address more than £343,000 of complex debt, while its energy advisers supported almost 500 people to help keep their homes warm.
Speaking following the AGM, CAB manager Della Armstrong said that securing more than £1.5 million for local people showed “the real difference” the charity could make.
“We see first-hand the impact this advice has,” she said.
“It can mean a family no longer worrying about how they will pay the bills, someone with a long-term health condition receiving the financial help they need, or a household getting through the winter without having to choose between heating and other essential living costs.
“Behind every successful application or appeal is a person or family whose financial situation has improved, often after months, or even years, of struggling to access the help they’re entitled to.”
Armstrong said many people across Shetland are still missing out on financial support because they do not realise they may be entitled to it.
“We would encourage anyone who is finding things difficult, or whose circumstances have changed to get in touch,” she added.
“Many people are surprised to discover they qualify for support they never knew existed.”
She said that no one should have to choose between heating their home and meeting other essential living costs, and said their energy advisers worked hard to ensure people could access all the help available to them.
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With demand for advice continuing to grow, the charity is once again encouraging people to consider volunteering.
“We’re a small local charity, and volunteers are at the heart of everything we do,” Armstrong said.
“You don’t need specialist qualifications, just a willingness to help your community.
“We provide full training, ongoing support and the opportunity to develop valuable new skills while making a genuine difference to people’s lives”.
Volunteers are typically asked to commit around 6-8 hours per week, with full training, mentoring and travel expenses provided.
Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking advice can contact by emailing sicab@shetland.org or calling 01595 694696
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