News Updates
Musicians raise Cash for CAB
The above event took place at the Tap & Spile on Sunday 13th July 2008
The Fund Raising Group and the CAB Manager Jill Mandy would sincerely like to thank Vince Townsend who arranged this wonderful event, and the talented musicians who played along side Vince and sang on the day for FREE.
A special thank you is given from Jo, to all the young musicians who are so talented and they blew us away with their performances, they will go far with the talent they have. They realise it is their CAB and we do have to raise funds to always be there, when needed. They are true stars.
Our gratitude also goes to Mattie Coulson, the Landlord of the Tap & Spile and to all his staff, for both their hospitality and donation to the raffle.
And not forgetting the customers who all supported this concert and helped us raise the fabulous amount of just over £159.
Thanks also go to the people who donated all the raffle prizes, the CAB volunteers, Management and staff for their support on this day.
15th July 2008
Soroptimist International of Scarborough
£100 Donation
On the 14 April 2008 The Soroptimist International of Scarborough's President, Betti Thomas, kindly presented Jo Drydale with a cheque for £100 for the Citizens Advice Bureau in response to an appeal for help from the CAB Fund Raising Group.
Thanks on behalf of the CAB manager Jill Mandy & the Fund Raising Group were given by Jo and she also gave a short talk on the work done in the Bureau.
14th April 1008
THANK YOU YET AGAIN Transport & General Workers Union!
Plaxtons Donation
The Chairman of the Past & Present Committee of the T&G Workers Union at Plaxtons, Jim Marflitt, and the Plaxton workforce have kindly given their support once more to CAB and sent us a cheque for £194. We are once again so very touched and grateful for this marvellous donation and wish everyone at Plaxton a very Happy New Year. Thank you so very much.
January 2008
THANK YOU Transport & General Workers Union!
The Fund Raising Committee has received a donation of £100 from the Scarborough branch of the Transport & General Workers Union. This was in response to a petition sent to them asking for help; we are thrilled and grateful to receive this amount of money and send our grateful thanks to all concerned.
November 2007
THANK YOU Caedmon Lodge 6965 of the Freemasons
Jo Drydale wrote to the Caedmon Lodge 6965 of the Freemasons asking if they would help the Bureau buy an air conditioning unit for the Whitby Bureau and stated the cost was £215.
They wrote back and said they would give the full amount and bought it for us. Bureau staff were delighted and thrilled by their generosity.
The cheque was presented Jill Mandy, Bureau Manager, by Adrian Cross (Charity Steward) accompanied by his wife.
Jo was thrilled to get this amount as she had written to everyone she could think of in the Whitby area and the Freemasons were the only people who replied offering help.
October 2007
Help now available for you at the Eastfield Link Centre
Drop In Sessions - Every Wednesday 9.30 am - 11.00 am
Have you got a problem with medical treatment, education, legal matters, debt, housing, disabilities, divorce, consumer rights?
Help is available for you at our Drop In Sessions at the Eastfield Link Centre.
The above notice posted 11th August 2007
New help drop-in centre opens up on estate
A new drop-in centre has been set up in Eastfield to help residents wort out debts. The centre is to be run every Wednesday by staff from the Citizens Advice Bureau who will be able to provide help with a wide range of other problems including housing, employment and how to claim benefits.
Jill Mandy, manager for the bureau in Scarborough, said: "This is the first time we have tried a drop-in centre. The idea is that people can call in without an appointment and we weill be able to deal with many problems on the spot. However, if the problem is complicated we can make an appointment so they can speak to one of our experts."
The drop-in centre, which will operate on Wednesdays from 9.30-11am, will be run from the training and enterprise centre in Link Walk. Ms Mandy said "We decided to launch this in Eastfield because a lot of people live in that area. Many of them are parents or are elderly and find it difficult to get into town to see us at our base in Roscoe Street."
She said funding for the centre, £14,315, had been provided in cash or in kind by Eastfield Neighbourhood Partnership. It is made up of Sanctuary Housing, Scarborough Council, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Yorkshire Coast Homes, Eastfield Parish Council and Eastfield Residents Association and Scarborough Council for Voluntary Service, which has recently been renamed The Coast and Moors Voluntary Action Group.
Ms Mandy said, "The partnership has provided the funding for the first year. We have recently been given a lottery grant which will provide the funding in years three and four. Now all we have to do is sort out the funding for year two."
August 2007
Advice bureau is a lottery winner
People in Filey, Eastfield and Esk Valley are to get better access to Citizens Advice Bureau services, thanks to a cash windfall from the Big Lottery Fund. An award of £165,754 by the Lottery's Reaching Communities programme will enable Scarborough and District CAB to recruit and train three volunteer advice workers for Filey, Eastfield and the Esk Valley through its Triple Chance project.
The advice workers will provide help by outreach and a drop-in service, and will encourage people to help themselves where possible. Jill Mandy, manager of Scarborough and District CAB said: "It's important to us that anyone can access our help if they need it and can contribute to the work of the bureau as well. Triple Chance offers just that - opportunities for residents to be trained as volunteer advice workers, to help people in their community and possibly step up into paid work. We'll have to recruit and train people first and that takes time, but we aim at the end of two years to have two local advisers - one paid and one volunteer - working at each location. We're pleased the Big Lottery Fund recognises the importance of targetting disadvantaged groups and proud to be able to help them in this."
The three locations have been chosen for their different needs.
August 2007
April and May 2007
More Donations!
On the 25th April, Rolph Kerning the Worshipful Master of the Denison Masonic Lodge, and Charity Steward Mel Taylor visited the Bureau, had a tour around and heard from manager Jill Mandy about our work. They were very impressed and promised us more help next year. Whilst here they presented us with a cheque for £650.
£500 of this was from a petition made to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Yorkshire. One of the reasons we got this significant amount of money was due to the fact that a gentleman who received our letter had used CAB in the past and was grateful for the help he received.
On 6th May Terry Kay, the landlord of the Commercial Hotel, donated £100 in lieu of the Race Night that he had had to cancel at the last minute.
On 10th May, in response to our application, we were awarded £300 from the Mayoress Charity Fund at a presentation in the Town Hall.
We are so very grateful to all these generous people.
Report by Jo Drydale, 17th May 2007
£250 Donation
A Big Thank You to Scarborough Rotary Club
The Scarborough & District CAB would like to thank The Rotary Club of Scarborough for their wonderful donation of £250.
We are so grateful and delighted to them all for including us in their payout to charities and we will use this money wisely.
March 2007
Charity Concert 23rd February 2007
Shadows Tribute Band
A huge thank you from all at the CAB to the Corporation Club for hosting The Charity Concert and the Shadows Tribute Band who played in support of CAB funds.
The event was a marvellous success and the band with Licorice Locking were superb; we were blown away with the show they put on, and Amy added much to the night as she was so talented.
The Corporation Club & their Manager Ken Pattison, Chairman & Members did us proud and their hospitality was unbelievable. The amount raised after expences was £422 and we will use this money wisely.
Thank you Scarborough Lions
We were delighted and so grateful to receive a most welcome cheque for £250 from the Lions. Also it was a pleasure to meet them and show them around, explain the work we do in the Bureau and introduce them to our staff and volunteers.
Generous Donation from Home Guards Club
We had £67.50 given to us on 13 January by the Home Guard Club, which is a small men only club. They kindly ran a raffle for us at Christmas. We would like to give them a mention on this Website as this is a good donation for a small club to give and we are so very appreciative.
The Buffs present a cheque to the Citizens Advice Bureau
Brother Andrew Anderson CP of the Harmony Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes presented a cheque for £250.00 to Jo Drydale of the Fund Raising Group at the Scarborough CAB.
On behalf of the CAB, Jo expressed her heartfelt thanks for this marvellous donation. She explained the money will go into the general fund and will be used to replace worn out fittings and fixtures, that are needed to enable the staff to do the work in the Bureau.
She also explained that they were a Charity and had to raise funds to function. She also told them that she had written to the Clubs and Pubs in town asking for their help in raising money for CAB and she knew they would all back the Bureau if they could.
A Change at the Top
Goodbye to Dorothy Clegg
The chair of Scarborough & District CAB - which deals with around 16,000 enquiries per year - has stepped down after five years.
Dorothy Clegg has been succeeded by Pat Chandler, 61, of Elm Grove, Robin Hood's Bay.
Mrs Clegg, who lives in Whitby, said: "I am proud to have been chair of such a vital organisation which helps thousands of local people facing problems and crises. Not many people realise that the bureau is a charity that relies on volunteers. I would like to thank them and the team for their dedication and hard work over the last five years. The bureau is now on a sound footing and facing the future positively. It will continue to help people from all walks of life throughout the borough."
Mrs Chandler said: "Mrs Clegg has given freely of her time, energy and experience over the years and we are grateful for her valuable contribution. I am pleased she will be staying on board to help me find my feet."
She added: "We are always looking for people to volunteer: There are opportunities for trustees, fundraisers, receptionists and office workers, as well as advisers. If you have time to spare, why not join us?" Anyone interested should call 01723 368710
- John Fawcett, former secretary to the Mayor of Scarborough, has joined the management board of the bureau.
Scarborough Evening News - November 2006
Volunteers step out for vital funding
Staff at Scarborough's Citizens Advice Bureau stepped out on a sponsored walk in June 2006 to raise their profile. Staff, volunteers, families and friends walked from Cloughton Station to Hayburn Wyke. The final pennies are still being counted, but we can report (August 2006) that over £300 was raised.
Jo Drydale, a member of the fund raising team and volunteer worker at the Bureau said "People always think we are funded by the Government, and we are not. So we need to use a variety of means to raise money."
From Economics to Ergonomics
Mrs Drydale said the money would go towards new chairs in the reception area (including a special one for clients with back problems) and maintenance and repair of computers as required. "Every day at the bureau is different. You can deal with all sorts, from people wanting housing advice to getting divorced. If any pubs, clubs or others would be willing to hold an event for us to help us raise money please ring me at the bureau - (01723) 354795. "
Advice Bureau pilots Veterans Aid
Scarborough CAB leads the way (Click here for JUNE 2006 UPDATE)
The Ministry of Defence's Veterans Challenge Fund is helping underpin a number of Citizens Advice bureaux projects aimed at veterans and their dependents, ranging from the preparation of promotional material to the establishment of a new outreach project in Tidworth, Wiltshire. In this issue, Veterans WORLD focuses on a case study from one such project in North Yorkshire.
Scarborough CAB has appointed a dedicated adviser to coordinate a project working with local ex-Service organizations to publicize its services and provide advice direct to veterans. The project started in June 2005 and already there have been positive outcomes.
HENRY ROWLANDS, CAB's dedicated veterans adviser, highlights one example of how quickly things can happen if organizations work together.
"In July, I went to see an ex-Serviceman who had visited the bureau with his carer a few days earlier on the issue of a landlord's responsibilities for repairs. The client was living in private rented property that was being repaired. Unfortunately the landlord had gone off on holiday for a month and the repair work had stopped leaving the flat in an appalling state of disrepair.
"It was obvious that the flat was uninhabitable. Indeed, the client was at the time sleeping on the floor. After checking that he was in receipt of all welfare benefits to which he was entitled, I contacted the local SSAFA Forces Help representative and within a few days we had arranged a fortnight's respite care for him in a British legion Home in Wales.
"I also managed to contact the landlord and get the repair work restarted. The Home came and picked up the client and brought him back after his stay. During his time away the landlord had finished the renovations and the flat was ready for occupation.
"Whilst the client was in the Home I also contacted the War Pensioners' Welfare Service (WPWS) which is now endeavoring to find suitable alternative accommodation which can be adapted to his needs. As an alternative again, WPWS is negotiating other suitable long term accommodation together with support for new claims for Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefit."
This is but one of many successful case examples from the Scarborough project from which much good practice may be learned. It is also a prime example of how multi-agency approaches can best solve seemingly intractable problems.
UPDATE - June 2006 ... The Bureau has been given more cash to allow it to continue a scheme aimed at helping former servicemen and women live a better life.
Scarborough CAB was the first in the country to pilot a new scheme aimed at helping veterans with a variety of problems including homelessness, health, finance, employment, disability and pensions.
A total of £2,000 was given to set up the scheme in June 2005 and the money has now run out. The Government's Veterans Agency, however, has now agreed to provide £1,700 for the project to be continue. The success of the scheme has led to other bureaux in different parts of the country copying Scarborough.
Henry Rowlands, money advice worker, said "Since we started the scheme 24 clients have been assisted including ex-service personnel through to their families and children. They range in age from those in their 80s to teenagers. Some of the work was one-off advice whilst others needed, and continue to need, ongoing help and assistance.
"The majority of those who used the service did so after reading an article in the Evening News. It is intended that the new funding will be used to pay for a specialist advisor working from the Scarborough bureau."
It is expected the specialist will work from 5th June to the end of August. Anyone wishing to make an appointment whould ring (01723) 354795. Arrangements can be made for a home visit if necessary. People in Filey or Whitby who cannot make it to Scarborough can ring the same number and arrangements will be made for them to be seen at the burea in either of those towns.
For more information on the Scarborough project call Sam McQueen, Project Manager, National Development Team, Citizens Advice, on 01223 356322 or e-mail him at sam.mcqueen@citizensadvice.org.uk
Veterans WORLD Newsletter - Autumn 2005
WHITBY charity workers would like to thank the anonymous donor who sent them a brown envelope containing cash. Staff at Whitby's Citizens Advice Bureau were delighted to find five £10 notes when they opened the envelope but were left mystified as there was no name or letter with the money.
CAB manager Jill Mandy said they had received a similar donation once before and although they are not trying to identify the donor they would like to say a big thank you to him or her.
"Thank you very much indeed",she said. Whitby Gazette - 12th July 2005
SCARBOROUGH Citizens Advice Bureau is to appoint a "money advice worker" to help local people who get into debt. A report to North Yorkshire County Council's community fund committee says the bureau is currently helping to manage £3.4 million of consumer debt for clients.
The report adds: "Prevention is the most important way of controlling the homelessness crisis which is affecting the borough. The money advice worker will work across agencies to identify households with debt problems that threaten their ability to sustain their accommodation."
The committee has agreed to give £33,225 over the next two years to help fund the new advice worker. "This application is a brand-new initiative that will enhance and complement existing statutory advice provision by Scarborough Council and other agencies in this area", says the report.
"The Citizens Advice Bureau is currently the only organisation to provide debt counselling and volunteer workers are currently managing £3.4 million of consumer debt for clients."
Scarborough Evening News - 4th July 2005
More and more people are seeking help from Whitby Citizens Advice Bureau as their debts spiral out of control. The CAB is currently handling 45 cases for Whitby residents with a total debt exceeding £500,000.
Jill Mandy, manager of Scarborough & District CAB, said that the majority of the queries she deals with are money related. "More and more people are coming to see us since the law on filing for bankruptcy was changed. We are getting people who have a debt of such a size that they have no realistic way of paying it off. They might have a debt of £80,000 and can only afford to pay off £50 per month. People are now drawing a line under their debts and walking away. We have taken to referring people out, where possible, to other organisations because we simply cannot handle it. We do see a lot of people with financial problems."
She said that the majority of debt owed by Whitby people being helped by the CAB is from bank loans and overdrafts amounting to more than £190,000 while £90,000 is owed in credit card bills.
"Many people make the general assumption that debt is caused by people being feckless with their money. In our experience this isn't the case. People can get into debt because their income is so low they can't live on it. If your income's so low, it can mean having to borrow money just to buy your kids a pair of shoes. Another reason is life change - somebody dies, loses their job, becomes ill or gets divorced and can't manage their money any more. Credit isn't a problem as long as it's under control."
The CAB is urging people who take out payment protection insurance on their credit cards or loans to read the small print. She said: "We see a lot of people who have been paying payment protection insurance who don't qualify for it anyway. Be wary when you are sold payment protection and make sure that it does cover what could happen to you."
Staff at Scarborough's Citizens Advice Bureau have a new feather in their cap after achieving a new status which reflects the quality of their service.
The welfare benefits team have achieved the Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark in Welfare Benefits and are the only organisation in Scarborough to have the accolade.
Part of the welfare benefits work that the bureau carries out will now be under contract to the Legal Services Commission (formerly Aid).
The staff have had to implement stringent quality control systems to meet the requirements of the Specialist Quality Mark. The whole team will work to this standard. Future clients will be asked for details of their financial circumstances to decide who will see them. Rachel Boyes will run the Legal Services Commission contract and will deal with clients who are eligible for legal aid. Other clients will be seen by Becca Robinson in Whitby and Pete Rothery in Scarborough.
A local of solicitors have donated money to the Scarborough and Whitby Citizens Advice bureau.
North Yorkshire Law, based in Albemarle Crescent, Scarborough, presented the cash to CAB manager Jill Mandy.
On behalf of North Yorkshire Law, Lillian Hannah-Walker said: "As we are a firm of community solicitors, we try and help out local charities whenever we can. We're happy to support the CAB by donating £125 to the Scarborough branch and £125 to the Whitby branch."
Scarborough Evening News - March 2005
The Citizens Advice Bureau call centre in Filey has been given a cash injection of more than £145,000 to keep its telephone advice line going for another three years.
More than a year ago the Scarborough and District Citizens Advice bureau faced a cash crisis and announced its bureau could close within a month if it did not raise £50,000.
Through sheer determination and donations from people and businesses in Scarborough, plus a big grant from North Yorkshire County Councijl, they managed to survive.
Now they have been given the added bonus of £147,059 in lottery money which will be put towards running the CAB's call centre and in developing a community cntre based in the Evron Centre, Filey.
CAB Manager Jill Manday said: "We have spent January working out what we would do if we did not get this money and had to close the call centre.
"We're safe now for another three years and we're committed to providing as much telephone advice as possible. We can see no reason why good advice can't be given over the phone and it's a 24 hour service as we have an automated service when people need advice out of hours.
"The paid staff and the volunteers are all highly delighted that we have been given this chance to extend the service."
The money will also be used to help the CAB develop the community advice centre which was originally set up by the Council for Voluntary Services.
This too was in danger of folidng and the lottery cash will ensure it keeps open - all they need now is more support from members of the public.
The centre encompassed an advice service, a telephone line which leads directly through to the Job Centre in Scarborough and a computer which has internet access which members of the public can use.
Jill Mandy said that the facilities are ready and available, all they need now is for the community to use them.
They need volunteers to help with around 17,000 enquiries a year and needs £250,000 a year to carry out its services: £75,000 comes from local councils, but the Bureau has to raise more than half that figure itself.
When they had the cash crisis, the charity found that donations had dropped.
At the time, Chair of the trustees Dorothy Clegg said many of the problems dated back to when Gerald Waterworth was treasurer of the Bureau.
He was jailed for 18 months after stealing £200,000 from the Bureau and Scarborough Building Society where he was a director.
Filey & Hunmanby Mercury - Feburary 2005
It was reported in the Scarborough Evening News recently that Scarborough Council had withdrawn and replaced a guide to benefit entitlements because officers had decided the heading "Are You Getting It?" was not an appropriate catchline.
We use it on this Website - Click here to see Pension Credit - because we reckon it's a good eye catcher and it asks a straightfoward question. The Council have re-titled their guide "Extra money - Could you get it?"
If you don't like our web page, please E-mail the Webmaster
Anonymous Donation
CAB gets a £50 boost
County Cash ...
... for proposed Money Advice Worker
Debt in Whitby
Town debt spirals to more than £500,000
ARCHIVE MATERIAL ...
Reaping the Benefits of Award
New Status for Benefits Team
Law Firm Donates Money!
Filey Call Centre
Pension Credit
Tel: 01723 368710
Updated January 2001
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