How South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau can help businesses Keep - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

How South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau can help businesses Keep Down Costs John Dersley Trustee, Income Generation

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau: • Is part of the Citizens Advice national advice network • Is a local charity serving all of South Lakeland • Is a company limited by guarantee • Delivers audited, quality assured advice • Delivers this advice with about 60 trained volunteers supported by a team of paid staff Our service is free, impartial, confidential and independent

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues The service must be financially viable; our estimated expenditure in 2014/15 is £400k which we plan to cover by funding from a wide variety of sources:  South Lakeland District Council  Cumbria County Council (contracts for specialist advice)  Town and Parish Councils  Charitable Trusts (often project based)  Big Lottery (always project based)  Contributions from businesses and individuals

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues Most people think they will never need to use our services until they or a family member: • Find themselves getting into debt • Buy goods that turn out to be faulty • Have a problem with their landlord • Lose their job or have to take long-term sick leave - and get lost in the welfare benefit maze • Become separated or partner wants to get divorce - what about the house, what about the children? We provide advice on a wide range of issues and refer clients elsewhere when appropriate

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues If asked “what is your most important asset?” or “what is most fundamental to your businesses success?” most managers or owners would say:

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues “My staff/employees/workers” because • they are the contact with customers  their skills make the product or service  their productivity directly affects profitability  their recruitment, training and pay are a major business investment

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer and so much more So, what if a personal problem – theirs or a family member's - affects performance? • Customer care might be affected  The quality of the product or service might be reduced or wastage increased  Productivity and profitability might fall  Sick absence can be lengthy and require temporary staff

Cumbria Rural Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues Personal problems can be caused by  Financial pressures  Housing  Relationships  Work  Consumer issues

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues Impact of our work: 2011/12 2012/13 Clients 3,376 3,092 Problems 10,651 9,641 The main areas were: 2012/13 2011/12 Benefits 3,672 38% 3,682 35% Debt 2,534 26% 3,255 31% Housing 643 7% 764 7% Employment 1,012 10% 1,022 10%

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues What can you do to help us in this work? • Spread the word that we're here; and here to help • If you see an employee has a problem, refer him or her to us • Distribute leaflets and display posters • Include an article in your “in house” newsletter • Become a Supporter - in kind or financially.

South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau – providing advice in debt, w elfare benefits, employment, housing, legal, consumer issues Thank you for your time. If you want further information or would like to discuss anything in this presentation, please contact: Karen Evans South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau Manage rmanager@cumbriarural.cabnet.org. uk Tel: 015394 47185