Economic downturn puts pressure on advice team, Teesdale Mercury

AN explosion in demand from people in financial crisis has led to a Teesdale advice organisation making an appeal for help.

The number of people seeking assistance on benefits issues from Teesdale’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has risen by 459 per cent in three years.

And the amount of dale residents worried about debt has rocketed by 281 per cent.

The extra demand has significantly increased staff workload at the bureau, which has concerns about future funding.

The organisation is now asking local businesses to help sustain its work by making regular donations. Volunteer advice workers are also needed, as well as trustee board members to help with management.

Cllr Newton Wood, a CAB trustee, said: “We need to reshape the bureau because of the explosion in demand – and we need the community to help us during this critical time.”

CAB provides free confidential and impartial advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment, tax, health, education, consumer, legal issues, travel and discrimination. The organisation also lobbies the government to change policies.

Staff work part time and include a manager, caseworkers, supervisors, tutors, volunteer advice workers and assistants.

About 1,300 people asked for help in 2006/7, but that figure rose to nearly 3,700 in the last financial year.

“That increase has led to an enormous amount of extra work. A small business in a similar situation might turn work down or put it on the back-burner, but the bureau cannot do that,” Cllr Wood said.

The organisation receives funding from Durham County Council, although the cash is not guaranteed in the future. 

Trustee Hazel Yeadon said: “We’ve really got to work with local companies and businesses who are able to sponsor us on an annual basis. They can use the opportunity to give back something to the community.

“People with skills can also be trustees to help on the management side.”

An open day will be held on Tuesday, July 14, so people can find out more about becoming a trustee, volunteering or sponsoring the bureau. Full training will be given to volunteers and trustees.

Meanwhile, residents who need help are encouraged to get in touch.

Debt caseworker Linda Hoggart said: “If people have problems, they can drop in or make an appointment. The most important thing is that they see us sooner rather than later. We can be the first step to dealing with financial problems.”

Teesdale CAB, at 21 Galgate, is open between 10am and 4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and between 10am and 3pm on Thursdays.

Sessions are also held at GP surgeries in Evenwood and Cockfield, at Sure Start, in Evenwood, and Utass, in Middleton-in-Teesdale. An advice worker is also based at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution.

Call 01833 690296 for details.