Annual review [ 1.4 MB] - Citizens Advice

Copeland Citizens Advice Bureau has delivered presentations and informative talksto parish councils, pensioners groups, social groups and other local communitygroups during 2010/11. These talks inform members of our aims and principles, thework we do with clients, volunteering, social policy, an overview of the CAB serviceand how we might be able to work together.Neighbourhood Forums - The bureau attended meetings in Egremont, CleatorMoor, Hillcrest & Hensingham and Millom. A requirement for bureau services wasrecognised on every occasion and we are delighted that funding was provided tohelp satisfy this need.Health & Wellbeing Days held for the employees of Sellafield Ltd and CopelandBorough Council, respectively. It was thought that the services offered by thebureau could play an essential role in the maintenance of a stable lifestyle, whichhas a significant impact upon general health and wellbeing.Frizington and Seascale played host to ‘Together We CAN’ events in February andMarch, respectively. These community focused schemes, which were facilitated byCumbria County Council and attended by Cumbria Constabulary, NHS Cumbria,housing associations and local voluntary organisations, allowed local residents toexercise their influence in suggesting improvements to community services. Theevents also sought to build trust and maintain relationships between the publicsector, voluntary sector and the community at large.The H. M. Prison Haverigg Resettlement Centre held an open day to encouragepartnership working among outside agencies that visit the Prison ResettlementCentre. Agencies in attendance included ACE - Assisted Community Engagement(Housing in Cumbria and Lancashire area), Turning Point, Stonham Housing, CASS -Cumbria Assisted Support Scheme, Working Links and Halliday Reeves Solicitors(Immigration Specialist).The Learn2Earn event, held in the Millom Network Centre was held for the purpose ofbringing training and work-orientated opportunities to the attention of the generalpublic. The bureau exhibited a display stand and materials to be distributed amonginterested parties and gave us the opportunity to update details held on these groups,meet personnel and refresh inter-organisational communication links.The Millom Guide Hall hosted the ‘My Millom – Proud To Be’ “Have Your Say Day” inmid-February. This was a joint initiative planned by Millom Town Council and CopelandBorough Council to discover how residents really felt about Millom: the things of whichthey are proud and those that they would like to change.As well as delivering presentations to groups and agencies in Copeland, we alsoencourage agencies to come to us to discuss the services they offer to our staff andvolunteers at our monthly workers meetings.During 2010/11 agencies that have visited us have included:· Howgill Family Centre· The lone parent adviser from Whitehaven’s Jobcentre Plus· DIGS Deposit· Grant Thornton (to discuss IVA’s with our money advice team)HThe bureau is keen to work in partnership with groups who work in Copeland. In2010/11 we have worked successfully with ‘Headspace’ to deliver a successful monthlydrop in advice session at the bureau. This is available for for anyone seeking advice andsupport with neurological conditions, including, Acquired Brain Injury, Huntington’sdisease, Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. We look forward to continuingthis relationship in 2011/12. We also work with the ‘Talking Newspaper’ providinginformation on CAB services and updates on scams and issues such as benefit changes.Want to know about what we do? Invite us to your meetings.Please call: Whitehaven (01946 693321) or Millom (01229 772395) for details.