Agenda item

Citizens Advice Surrey Heath

Minutes:

Kate Sawdy, the Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) made a presentation on the vital work undertaken by CASH.  CASH helped people with a range of problems and increasing complex issues with housing, debts, benefits, employment, relationships and consumer rights.

 

The Committee heard that evidence showed that CASH’s advice was effective, prevented problems from escalating and often had a wider impact.  Members were advised that helping to solve an individual’s problems had a wider value to the community.

 

Although it was impossible to put a financial value on the work of CASH, the following benefits could be identified:

 

?        Keeping people in employment or helping them back to work

?        Preventing housing evictions and statutory homelessness

?        Reducing demand for mental health and GP services

?        Improving mental wellbeing and positive functioning

?        Improved family relationships

 

Financial modelling showed that for every £1 spent CASH generated £9.01 in savings to government and public services, £41.25 in wider economic and social benefits and £38.84 in financial value to the people helped.

 

Additional services provided related to

 

?        ‘Help to Claim’ - helping people make their first Universal Credit application

?        Social Prescribing - linking people to community activities and services.

?        Emergency support – Food bags and Referrals to Surrey Crisis Fund, Besom and other charitable funds

?        Independent Living - Home visits for those whose disability, age or caring responsibility makes it difficult to leave their homes to access advice.

?        Disability Form Filling support - To help people access appropriate benefits and appeal decisions.

?        Hate Crime reporting centre – referrals to the police

?        Domestic Abuse support - including being a centre for Emergency Domestic Abuse orders by phone

?        Healthwatch Surrey – Providing the patient’s voice to influence change.

 

Kate gave an example of how advice and social prescribing worked.  Many vulnerable clients not only needed financial advice and support but also help with linking in to society and accessing services and organisations that could improve their wellbeing and engagement in life.  Improved wellbeing would hopefully result in less visits to GPs and other health services, reducing the pressure on the health system.

 

CASH had over 50 volunteers who gave their time, skills and experience.   This year the trained volunteers had given up the equivalent of £296,000 worth of volunteering hours.

 

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

 

·         The value of CASH’s signposting role for councillors doing ward casework.

·         The funds which were raised locally by CASH to contribute to income from other sources.

·         The CASH’s move to Surrey Heath House which had had considerable benefits such as improved networking opportunities.

·         The potential to use Councillors and officers to help to promote and develop CASH services, particularly the outreach service.

·         Gratitude for the help with the homeless, particularly in Chobham.

·         Officers be asked to facilitate Member Training on CASH issues and how councillors could help those in emergency need.

·         Members requested better access to CASH staff email addresses.

 

The Committee thanked Kate Sawdy for her informative presentation.

 

 

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