Dec 2019 Issue 1

Advice Services

Newsletter FOREWORD FROM DIANE

Welcome to the first edition of the quarterly Advice Services Newsletter. I thought that it was about time we shared the wonderful work of the Advice Services Team with colleagues across the Council.

In the first edition and future editions, we introduce you to both established members of the team and newbies in our ‘Day in the Life Of ..’ section. We will also update you on any legislative changes, as well as key team statistics and achievements. Not forgetting ‘the wind down’, where we will share recom-mended recipes, films and books.

Challenge Poverty Week took place from 7th to 13th November and the team fully embraced this delivering a number of awareness sessions at venues across Stirling. Despite being as busy as we have ever been dealing with in-creasing numbers of complex cases, it never fails to amaze me how willing the team are to throw themselves into additional activities to promote and raise awareness of both the work of the Advice Services Team and that of our part-ners.

Finally, I can confirm that the full Advice Services Team have now relocated back to Customer First. This has been a great move for both the team and our clients, as we are much more accessible being in a city centre location. Alt-hough, I’m having to exercise restraint being so close to the shops, especially on the run up to Christmas.

I hope that our newsletter covers areas of interest to teams across the council, but please let me know if there is anything you would like to be included in any future issues.

Happy reading and Merry Christmas when it comes (only 2 weeks to go according to the countdown poster in our office, which started in October lol )

Thanks,

Diane

(Team Leader, Advice Services and Welfare Re-form)

KEY DATES FOR THIS QUARTER

ED & C Staff Event @ Albert Halls —10th Dec

Staff away day @ Raploch Community Campus—18th Dec

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Challenge Poverty Week ........2

Digital Inclusion Team ............3

Advice Stirling .........................4

Legislation Update ...................5

Macmillan Money Matters ......6

The Wind Down .......................7

STATISTICS APR—NOV 2019

Assisted 1248 clients

£3,757,646.79 financial gains

Approx. gain of £3,010.93 per client

23 promotional sessions delivered to organisations

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“Their life-changing work is one of many ways Stirling Council is tackling poverty 365 days a year, which is being highlighted during a week-long campaign (Oct 7-13) to address this growing national issue.”

Advice Services fully embraced Challenge Poverty Week and delivered a

series of events demonstrating that Stirling Council are committed to

tackling poverty. The Poverty Alliance created this week as a way to

challenge the stereotypes around poverty, highlight the solutions and

increase public support for action to solve poverty.

The key message this year was; “Challenge Poverty? Aye we can!” and

truly we did! The team did themselves proud and liaised with a number

of organisations to co-ordinate a week of events to raise awareness of the

work of the Advice Services Team. Securing spots at the Thistles Centre,

Raploch Community Campus, Customer First Reception, the MacRobert

Centre and the Recovery Café, allowed us to spread the word far and

wide. We managed to raise awareness of our services and have received

a number of referrals as a result of CPW. We engaged directly with 85

people at the outreach sessions, but a much higher number picked up

information from the stands.

A big thank you to all who got involved in the organising and

volunteering their time at the drop in sessions.

CHALLENGE POVERTY WEEK 2019 OVERVIEW OF EVENTS

Monday—Thistles Cen-

tre

Tuesday—Raploch

Community Campus

Wednesday—Customer

First

Thursday—MacRobert

Centre

Friday—Recovery Café,

Mayfield Centre

Above: Thistles Centre Drop in, from left to right: Emma, Diane, Cllr. Chris Kane, Rhona, Ian, Caroline & Stacy.

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MEET THE DIGITAL INCLUSION TEAM

This is the story of the everyday ups and downs of the Digital Inclusion Team, who are spreading the word about how

to get online and save lots of money on everyday transactions. We are not sales people, nor do we work for Martin the

Money Savings Expert. We do, however, sometimes borrow his ideas! We help Stirling citizens save their cash, as

being online can save individuals hundreds if not thousands of pounds per year.

In the morning we visit Sue, who is hoping to return to work after a period of illness. Her confidence is at zero and

funds are low. The DIWs help Sue search and apply for jobs online, make up an electronic copy of her CV and learn

how to use a computer for possible employment in the catering industry. As part of her application for a cafe job we

encourage Sue to send a reference request to her past employers at a local café. They called her back to say they were

still interested in her as a valued employee and would she take up the offer of a job with them. Off to a great start.

Next on to Jim, who was once an expert computer and internet user but became seriously ill. He has had to start from

scratch again, and is getting support from the DIWs to help him as he learns basic internet use. Sometimes memories

come back and he gets frustrated but his confidence is returning and he is looking for a part time job in the same field

he left because of his illness.

The Smart car rumbles on…

We then visit Jo who lives in rural Balquhidder and discovered our service at one of our evening drop in sessions at

the village hall. Jo is an elderly lady who lives alone after being recently widowed and is looking for support to get

online and connect with her family who live around the world. We help her to access Skype and Jo was amazed that

she could see her youngest granddaughter who is currently working in Sweden. We realise that we are very privileged

to be able to help individuals connect with their family and it is not the first time that we have had to hold back the

tears!

With the long road back to base, we reflect on another successful day for the DIWs. Saving clients’ money, giving

them better control over their lives and the confidence to use and be safe online.

NEXT DROP IN

22nd January—

Balquhidder Village

Hall 4pm—7pm

Above: Balquhidder Drop in, from left to right: Ian, Caitlin, Emma & Rhona

“I feel invigorated after our sessions. I have learned so much and always look forward to your next visit”

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I have been a money, debt and benefit adviser

with Stirling Council for about 2 and a half years.

Previously I worked with Shelter Scotland for 1

year, funnily enough in the same office with the

same team, just a different logo. Even funnier I

started in customer first, moved to Allan Water

and now I have done a 360 and I’m back again.

Before this I studied law at the University of

Strathclyde. I actually feel my law degree helps me

a lot in my typical day as the advice and guidance

we read and provide is heavily legislated in areas.

A typical day in the life of a money, debt and ben-

efit adviser with Stirling Council is very difficult to

summarise actually, as one key part of the job that

I love is that it is quite varied and from one day to

the next can be quite different. I believe that is

because I am advising on two areas, debt and ben-

efits, therefore this really keeps me on my toes.

‘Typically’ is very difficult to describe in my day to

day as mentioned above, so instead I am going to

tell you the aspects of the work that I would say

are my area of expertise and the things that excite

me and challenge me.

When a client approaches us for any advice re-

garding Universal Credit, I would say that this is

my area of expertise, I seem to have had a lot of

experience dealing with this new benefit, and I am

getting more and more familiar with the practice

involved and helping claimants work out what

their entitlement is going to be and also helping

other members of the team with these enquiries.

Its great working in a team like ours actually as

everyone has their areas that they can help each

other out with, mines for some reason is universal

credit, I think I drew the short straw in the begin-

ning and had to wrestle my way through the new

regulations and inexperience of all departments

as this was such a shiny new benefit no one really

knew how it would work in practice.

From a debt advice perspective what I really like

is a challenge, especially when a creditor refuses

to accept a proposal or they are just being diffi-

cult… that is when a pull out my FCA big guns …

Financial Conduct Authority code of guidance and

practice (CONC), it might be sad but it really ex-

cites me when I get to stick my teeth into codes of

practice or legislation.

I hope this has given you a bit of insight into me, I

was also asked to provide a picture as you can see,

however I have some rules;

1. No moustaches to be drawn on my

face

2. Follow rule 1 at all time.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LAURA—A MONEY, DEBT & BENEFIT ADVISER

Above: Laura Russell, Money, Debt and Benefit Adviser

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Debtor Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) introduced a new system on 1st July 2019 they changed the DASH system to eDEN. Below are a few of the changes they have made:

From the date that a DAS is approved, creditors now have 120 days to put in a variation to increase the balance if this is not correct. After the 120 days they will have no recourse to change this after.

Money Advisers will now have the function to be able to approve short term ‘Crisis Break’ – this will not have to go through the DAS Administrator for approval.

DAS team are hoping to stop ‘paper’ letters to creditors from 1st April 2020

Benefits Changes:

New guidance has been issued in relation to the reduction of the maximum duration of higher level sanction periods from 156 weeks to 26 weeks for Universal Credit (UC) and Job Seeker allowance (JSA)

Maximum amount of deductions that can be taken from Universal Credit reduced to 30 per cent from 40 per cent of the standard allowance

DWP are to reassess PIP claims which may be eligible for additional benefit in relation to ‘managing therapy and monitoring a health condition’. The interpretation of PIP Activity 3 - ‘managing therapy and monitoring a health condition’ has changed following the Upper Tribunal's decision on 28 November 2016 in SSWP v LB [2016] UKUT 0530 (AAC). A special diet can now be regarded as therapy and managing medication and monitoring a health condition can also now be regarded as therapy.

Scottish Social Security

Scottish Social Security are responsible for managing the benefits devolved to Scotland, to make sure the people who need them get them correctly and fairly.

Social Security Scotland will be co-locating with the Advice Services team in Customer First Stirling to work in partnership with the team to evolve a two way referral process.

Social Security Scotland are administering Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, Funeral Support Payment and Carers Allowance Supplement.

LEGISLATION UPDATE

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On 7th October Anne Marie Peebles joined the MMM team as a Project Officer. Anne Marie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team and we look forward to getting to know her better.

Welcome Anne Marie!

“I previously worked with DWP for 35 years. During this time I had many varied roles which included – Disability Adviser, Lone Parent Adviser, Team Leader, Visiting Officer to name a few. For the last 12 years I was a Fraud Investigator. I have also fostered 11 chil-dren and been a member of the Children’s Panel. Mu-sic is my thing and I love going to gigs.

There isn’t much I haven’t experienced in dealing with the public over the years and I’m sure I could write a book full of weird and wonderful not to mention sad and hilarious encounters. I have seen so many chang-es in the welfare benefit system and appreciate the impact we have as individuals to make the client jour-ney as easy as possible. The decision to leave DWP was not taken lightly. I wasn’t really looking to move but when I saw the MMM job advert I knew this was the job for me. I have only been “let loose” on cli-ents for the past 4 weeks and I can honestly say I am loving the role. I feel very privileged to be involved with clients and their families at such a difficult time in their lives. It is such a rewarding role and I look forward to coming to my work every day. This has also been strengthened by the warm welcome the team has given me. I look forward to getting to know everyone and building my knowledge and expertise.”

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE MACMILLAN MONEY MATTERS TEAM!

WELL DONE ELAINE

Our teams often surpass client’s expectations and

we never expect anything in return, but sometimes

clients feel compelled to express their thanks to

advisers for their hard work and dedication.

Last month Elaine from the Macmillan Money

Matters team received a beautiful bouquet of

flowers from the family of a client who sadly

passed away but wanted Elaine to know that they

greatly appreciated all her help.

Well done Elaine!

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BOOK

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Lovely Wife, Samantha

Dowing

Twas the nightshift before

Christmas, Adam Kay

FILM

RECOMMENDATIONS

Hacksaw Ridge, 2016—

“worth a watch in your

jammies when it’s the

Christmas break and you

don’t know what day it is

and you’re in a chocolate

coma”

Last Christmas, 2019

THE WIND DOWN...

Recommended Recipe

This issue’s recommended recipe comes from Ian and would suit those who

are looking to get into the festive spirit!

Whisky Fruit Cake

YOUR NEWSLETTER NEEDS YOU

Please get in touch if you

would like to see anything

else featured in the

newsletter.

Method

1. Grease your cake tin and preheat your oven to 170.C (150.C fan).

2. In a saucepan big enough to take all the ingredients, place your dried fruit,

glacé cherries, orange juice and 120ml of the whisky. Bring to the boil on a me-

dium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer for five minutes.

3. Take off the heat and stir in the butter until it has melted. Leave till the mix is

cool enough to hold your finger in.

4. Add the dark brown sugar, the remaining 75ml of whisky and the eggs and beat

with a wooden spoon until really smooth and glossy. Sieve your flour and bak-

ing powder over the wet mix, add the flaked almonds and stir again until every-

thing is fully incorporated.

5. Tip the batter into your greased tin and bake for 60 to 70 minutes until a

skewer comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in its tin on a rack, then place on

a serving plate.

6. You now need two medium-sized saucepans. In one of the saucepans, melt the

apricot jam and the whisky over a medium heat until it is hot and runny. Sieve

this into the second pan, discarding any lumps of fruit from the sieve, to get a

smooth glaze. Heat the glaze again until it is hot, then brush about half of it

over the top of the cake. Garnish the top with nuts and fruit as elaborately (or

not) as you like.

7. Heat the glaze up again, adding a little more whisky if it is too thick to pour,

then drizzle it slowly over the top of the cake until it is well coated. Leave to

cool before serving.

*NB: best served with whisky!

300g mixed dried fruit

70g glacé cherries

400ml orange juice

195ml blended whiskey

190g butter, diced

250g dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

470g plain flour

3tsp baking powder

150g flaked almonds

For the apricot glaze

280g apricot jam

70ml blended whiskey Garnish ingredients

pecans

flaked almonds

pistachios

glacé cherries

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Christmas Jumper Day 2019

ADVICE SERVICES 2019