£330,000 boost for Ashfield advice bureau

Ashfield’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau has been awarded almost £330,000 in lottery and Government funding, aimed at shearing up cash-strapped advice services nationally.
Ashfield Citizens Advice Bureau feature pictures.

Pictured is Sutton resident Patricia White with Volunteer Receptionist Richard Driver talking through the reception sheets.Ashfield Citizens Advice Bureau feature pictures.

Pictured is Sutton resident Patricia White with Volunteer Receptionist Richard Driver talking through the reception sheets.
Ashfield Citizens Advice Bureau feature pictures. Pictured is Sutton resident Patricia White with Volunteer Receptionist Richard Driver talking through the reception sheets.

The organisation has been awarded a total of £328,786 from the The Advice Services Transition Fund, which is making 226 awards nationally from Big Lottery Fund and Cabinet Office cash.

Nearby Mansfield Citizens Advice Bureau has also been awarded £349,350 from the £67 million funding round, which also includes payments to law centres, and community action groups.

Only 20 per cent of the cash can be used on service delivery, with the remainder invested in working practice and exploring more effective ways of giving advice to clients, and partnership working with other agencies.

Sue Davis, chief executive of Ashfield CAB said: “For us getting this award is absolutely massive. As a bureau we were facing a very difficult year and it was going to be a struggle to stay open.

The charity will look at working more closely with the district council, Ashfield Voluntary Action and Ashfield Homes, and look at establishing a one-stop-shop advice platform for clients.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of CAB nationally, added: “With demand for advice higher than ever, this one-off funding will help bureaux up and down the country find innovative new ways of learning from each other, joining up services and finding ways of increasing sustainability through collaboration.

“Citizens Advice Bureaux are working hard to find new ways to fund and deliver the important support we provide in communities across Britain.

“Our exceptional volunteers will continue to provide professional, empathetic support despite the significant pressures they are facing.”

The Advice Services Transition Fund was launched in October 2012 making grants of between £50,000 and £350,000 to be spent over two years.

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