Scarborough & Dist C.A.B. at 62 Roscoe St., Scarborough YO12 7BY - and - Church House, Flowergate, Whitby YO21 3BA Made with Xara Web Designer Lynne starts Second Retirement (from the Scarborough Evening News 16th September 2009) A kind-hearted volunteer who has given more than 10 years’ service to two Scarborough organisations is celebrating her retirement from the roles. Lynne Reed, of Nelson Street, spent 11 years as a volunteer at the town’s Citizens Advice Burea, in Roscoe Street, and 10 years helping out Scarborough Boys’ Brigade. She helped start the Brigade unit at Wesley Methodist Church in 1999. Mrs Reed, who previously worked as a clerk at RAF Staxton Wold and in the civil service, said she had enjoyed helping out, but felt the time was right to retire. Mrs Reed, who also volunteered at Wesley Methodist Church, on the corner of Hoxton Road and Columbus Ravine, added she was shocked with the send-off she received from the Bureau. She said: “When I retired about 20 years ago, I wasn’t just going to sit around at home and do nothing and I really enjoyed my time at the Bureau and with the Boys’ Brigade. I’ve been doing the Brigade for a long time now and all the young boys who were there when I started are now men, so it’s time for them to take over. On my final day at the Citizens Advice Bureau I was just going to sneak away but was quite amazed when they brought out all my presents.” Her presents, given by both groups, included a signed Alan Ayckbourn biography, membership of the Stephen Joseph Theatre Friends group and certificates to mark her long service. Mrs Reed said she was now looking forward to enjoying her second retirement. Big Thank You Award to Barry Soper 24th March 2009  On the evening of 24th March 2009 a large crowd of Scarborough Borough residents gathered at the Spa for the presentation of the Mayor’s Big Thank You Awards 2009. The scheme was set up in 2008 to reward all types of volunteers for the work they do in their communities in the promotion of civic pride. All nominated volunteers received a certificate in recognition of their contribution from the Mayor Eileen Vickers and, in each of 6 different categories, there were a couple of extra awards for exceptional service. The Community Award category was far and away the largest. From over 100 nominees our very own BARRY SOPER was Highly Commended and received a special award made for the occasion by “Touch of Glass”. Barry has worked in the bureau 4 afternoons a week for over 17 years now in various admin roles, usually simultaneously! Those of our volunteers who work directly with the public are often thanked by the people they help but nobody but us knows about the back-room boys and girls, so we are particularly glad to see Barry’s hard work recognised publicly in this way. Congratulations Barry and thanks! Citizens Advice Press release Scarborough and District CAB Expands Service With Help From £10m Funding Boost The Citizens Advice service is using a £10m funding boost from the Government to extend its opening hours and ensure even more people can benefit from receiving free, independent and impartial advice. Scarborough bureau at 62 Roscoe Street is one of over 340 CABs benefiting from the funding and has extended its opening hours. From 1.4.09 the bureau will be open on Wednesdays from 10.30 to 3.30 and from 5.00 to 7.00 for general advice by appointment. The bureau predicts this means they will be able to see 1071 extra clients from 1.4.09 to the end March 2010. The funding was announced by the chancellor in November’s Pre Budget Report and makes up a substantial part of the total £15m allocated for boosting debt advice across the sector. Across England and Wales the extra funding will allow the charity’s bureau network to stay open for approximately 170,000 additional hours, benefiting around 600,000 extra clients during the 14 month period to the end of March 2010. The Citizens Advice service has seen a large increase in enquiries linked to the downturn, with sharp rises in people seeking advice on redundancy, benefits and mortgage and secured loan arrears. Last year (Apr 2007-Mar 2008) the charity dealt with 5.54 million issues overall and fears this will grow further as more people lose their jobs, get further into debt and risk losing their homes. The Citizens Advice bureau network currently deals with 450 new cases involving mortgage arrears and 475 new redundancy enquiries every working day. As well as seeing a 125% increase in redundancy enquiries between April and November 2008, daily enquiries about Job Seekers Allowance rose by 66% in the same period across the service. Significant increases were also seen in enquiries about Bankruptcy, Council Tax debts, Fuel debts and rent arrears to private landlords. Local CAB Manager Jill Mandy said: “This is a great vote of confidence in CAB advice and welcome recognition that bureaux need additional support right now. With this money over 340 CABs will be able to stay open longer and see more people. “As people on low and moderate incomes are struggling to make ends meet at a time of increasing uncertainty about the security of their jobs and incomes, access to reliable, high quality, free, independent advice has never been more vital.” The Roscoe Street bureau’s complete opening times are now as follows: Monday       10.30 – 3.30 Tuesday      10.30 – 3.30 Wednesday   10.30 – 3.30    5.00 – 7.00 pm Thursday     10.30 – 3.30 The Wednesday evening session is for people who can’t come during the day because of work or other commitments. Anyone wanting an appointment on a Wednesday evening should ring 368710 between 10.30 and 3.30. Telephone advice is available: Monday – Friday  10.30 – 3.30 Wednesday         5.00 – 7.00 pm  on 08451 202930 For more information contact: Jill Mandy on: 01723 354795 or email: manager@scarcab.cabnet.org.uk Notes to editors: The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,200 service outlets across England and Wales. 5.54 million advice issues were recorded by bureaux from April 2007 to March 2008 Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate) Citizens Advice Guide to your rights, second edition: January 2008 - over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops or via www.citizensadvice.org.uk Citizens Advice Guide to your rights; Price £11.99; ISBN: 9780141034089  Thanks to the Committee for the Festive Spectacular Carol Concert Jill Mandy the Chief Executive Officer of the Scarborough Citizens Advice Bureau and the Fund Raising Group would sincerely like to thank the Committee of the Festive Spectacular Carol Concert for the cheque we were presented with on 23rd January for £1,500. We were delighted to accept this cheque which will be a great help to the Bureau. We would also like to thank the Mayor of Scarborough Eileen Vickers and her Consort Gordon for their hospitality to us at the presentation in the Town Hall. January 2009 Donation from St Nicholas Lodge No.2586 On 6 November in response to an appeal for help from the Fund Raising Group a cheque for £100 was gratefully received from David Grisdale, the Lodge Charity Steward of the St Nicholas Lodge No.2586, based in Scarborough. This money will go into the fund that the CAB Fund Raising group has set up, to re-new the old air-conditioning in the office and interview rooms. It is vital that we replace this as ours is on its last legs. Without it these rooms are unbearably hot in summer and our clients and advisers all suffer. Grateful thanks have been sent to all at the St Nichols Lodge No.2586, for this wonderful cheque. If anyone else can help with this appeal we would be so grateful, as we need to raise over £10,000 for the new system.  November 2008 Trafalgar Hotel helps us again We later asked for some funds to help us buy aids and equipment to enable our disabled volunteers to work more safely whilst in the bureau. The Trafalgar committee agreed to help us once more. On 23 Oct Jo Drydale of the Fund Raising Group gratefully accepted a cheque for £200, which will enable us to buy the disabled equipment. Jo thanks Tony and all the committee for their marvellous ongoing support, and wants them to know this makes a huge difference to the Scarborough CAB and all the volunteers. October 2008 New CAB service for Esk Valley residents Thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities programme, from 22nd September 2008 the CAB can offer home visits to people living in the Esk Valley who need advice and can't get through to Whitby. If you'd like a visit ring Scarborough reception on 01723 368710. They'll take a message and Barbara will then contact you to arrange an appointment. Jill Mandy, Chief Executive Officer of Scarborough and District CAB, said, "We’ve been aware for a long time that there are people living in the valley who find it hard to access our service in Whitby, but could never afford a home visiting service. It’s great that we can now help more people with advice on Benefits, Debt, Housing, Employment and much, much more. Whatever it is, we'll try our best to find an answer." To increase the service on offer we need a volunteer from the Esk Valley to train to work with Barbara. Anyone interested should contact Phillipa on 01723 368710. September 2008 Whitby service saved by Normanby donation The Whitby service currently runs two days a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays. Earlier this year the Trustee Board reluctantly decided to reduce this to one day a week because of a shortage of funds. Normanby Charitable Trust there will now be no reduction and the service will continue two days a week at least until April 2011. Jill Mandy, Chief Executive Officer of Scarborough and District CAB said, "We are lucky to receive the local support that we do. Anyone who lives in Whitby knows what a blow it would be if the service had to be reduced. We struggle to help all the people who need us as it is."  September 2008 Musicians raise Cash for CAB This 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  Anonymous Donation - CAB gets a £50 boost 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. "We will use the money wisely to help the people of Whitby. We are a charity and we do accept donations and if someone is anonymous we will respect that anonymity, but we would like to say thank you. Certainly in our experience a lot of people who give us money are people who have been to us for help in the past. And we will spend this money on helping somebody else." Whitby Gazette - 12th July 2005 County Cash ... for proposed Money Advice Worker 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." 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