BANBURY CAB RECEIVES FUNDING TO SET UP NEW SERVICE

Banbury CAB has received a grant of just under £10,000 from Awards for All to help fund its new diagnostic interview service. The grant will help get the new service up and running and produce new information leaflets for clients.

The new style service started at the beginning of October, and has been running very successfully. Anyone who calls into the bureau will have a quick assessment of their needs. They will then be offered a choice of an information leaflet or other self-help materials, an appointment with an adviser or specialist caseworker, or referral to another agency or organisation. Any emergencies will be dealt with on the day.

Anne Reynolds, Bureau Manager, said "This grant is very welcome. It will help pay for our set up costs and some new computers, and enable us to greatly improve our service to clients. Since we started at the beginning of October, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the numbers of people turned away. Our receptionists are coping extremely well with the new system, but we are still looking for extra help on reception. If anyone is interested, please get in touch."

Last year Banbury CAB dealt with almost 11,000 enquiries, including requests for assistance with employment, debt, consumer and benefit queries.

For more information on the new service, call into the bureau at 26 Cornhill, Banbury, or telephone the Advice Line: 0844 848 7922. If you would like to volunteer for adviser training, or to help on reception, contact us on Banbury 259698 for more details and an application pack.

ENDS

1. More information: Anne Reynolds, tel: 01295 259698
2. 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 see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
3. 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.

In the average month there are 600,000 visits to our award-winning advice and information site www.adviceguide.org.uk