Debt and Benefit Advice Project

The “Llanelli Communities First Debt and Benefit Support, Volunteering Demonstration Project” started in April 2009 with three years funding from the Welsh Government Outcomes fund and Carmarthenshire County Council.

There was an increasing need for debt, benefit and volunteering support as more and more people struggled to find work and pay the bills. Together with Llanelli Citizens Advice Bureau, Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First highlighted a need for accessible outreach support services throughout the Communities First wards of Llwynhendy, Felinfoel, Bigyn4, Glanymor and Tyisha. 

 

So far the project has seen over 380 face to face clients and helped them by highlighting benefit entitlements, organising their debts and accessing specialist level advice from organisations such as the National Debt Helpline, Shelter Cymru, Citizens Advice Bureau, Payplan and many others. By helping people to help themselves and access the right information and support the project has helped clients to begin addressing over £1,700,000 of domestic debt.

The project employs two staff members who work with volunteers to deliver debt, benefit and volunteering support services to residents. Project staff and volunteers originally undertook training provided by the Llanelli Citizens Advice Bureau and have since also received training from Neath Port Talbot Welfare Rights Unit as well as many other training sessions donated by organisations such as Shelter Cymru, Llanelli Job Centre Plus, Her Majesties Revenue and Customs, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Department, and others. “The support and generosity of all the organisations has been amazing and really helped us to make a difference”. (Bryony Wiffen. Communities First Volunteer Development Worker).

The volunteers that support the project have made it possible to help as many people as we have so far. Our volunteers are dedicated and committed and give their time freely to help others “It’s a good feeling at the end of the day to know you’ve made a difference” (Project Volunteer). When one of the team was asked she simply stated “it’s a phenomenal feeling!”. Volunteers can also access support for themselves such as training and access to other support services to help them get back into work. Volunteering for some has completely changed both their lives and the lives of their family.

“As a single mum with three children I was entitled to claim benefits but I was desperate to get back into employment and start a career, to improve my family’s situation and change my prospects for the future. Working with the DAB project as a volunteer helped me meet lots of people and service providers and they also told me about the Workways Project which I hadn’t heard of before; I was able to work with Workways and get onto a temporary job with a local organisation. I am now working on a four year contract and link back into the DAB project as a service provider to support my client base”. Julie Robinson. Family Goals Project; MWWC.

By offering volunteering we help people to get out of the house, gain experience, training and make new friends. Some of the clients who have been supported by the project access more support to help them change their circumstances and also give a bit back by volunteering.

The project works throughout Communities First Wards in Llanelli and people can call in to the office on Inkerman Street or phone Bryony and Chris on 01554 777850 for a chat about debt worries, benefits entitlements or volunteering. If you work for a support service provider and think the project might be able to help someone that you work with feel free to call to find out more. The project offers ongoing support for people who need it and work with people to help them, help themselves.

Pantyffynnon Communities First are now also delivering similar support services in the Amman Valley area. To find out if they can help you feel free to call Kath on 01269 596821.