Busy year for Citizens’ Advice service
12 August 2016
The four Citizens’ Advice offices in the Western Isles handled 4,480 enquiries over the past year. Clients raised 7,929 issues with over a third over welfare benefits.
Some 29% of cases involved debt related problems as staff dealt with new debts for the year totalling over £1 million.
The remaining enquiries to the Western Isles Citizen’s Advice Service (WICAS) related to employment, housing, legal, NHS concerns and complaints, as well as council and income tax issues.
Many clients were given representation at social security and employment tribunals.
At least £705,000 was recovered for people following the service’s intervention.
WICAS chairman, David Blaney, said: “At a time when costs are increasing all around us and with high levels of fuel costs and cuts to welfare benefits for may in our community due to the changes brought about by welfare reform, the valuable service provided by the staff and volunteers in our organisation is all the more important in helping clients maximise their income and find strategies to cope with the increased costs of day to day living.”
The four offices are currently looking for new volunteers. Training will be given to carry out various duties in their offices.
WICAS training officer, Norah MacPhee, said: “Life is never dull in any of our offices and one look at the numerous and varied types of issues raised just goes to show how our volunteers can get hooked on their work as the variety of enquiries is endless.”
Volunteers directors are also required to fill vacancies on the board of management.
The Citizens’ Advice annual general meeting will be held in at 6pm The Shed, Francis Street, Stornoway, on Wednesday 17 August. The meeting starts at 6pm and open to all.