CAB Annual Report 2022-2023

FACTS FROM CORE SERVICES DEBT MANAGED TOTAL DEBT MANAGED £,581,223.26 TOTAL CLIENT FINANCIAL GAINS (where known) £1,556,032.89 WORKLOAD MEASURES 1. Signposting: 1.4% 2. Listening Ear: 1.0% 3. Information & Advice: 61.4% 4. Negotiations outside: 35.5% 5. Representation: 0.7% (Legal papers only) CONTACTS Active clients 4,062 New clients 3,389 Contacts 7,106 Issues/cases 9,843 NEW AND ONGOING ISSUES Number of issues new clients brought to the bureau and its outreaches broken down as Social Security Benefits: 6,258 Immigration, Nationality & Asylum: 200 Consumer Goods & Services: 91 Legal: 195 Debt: 688 Relationships: 117 Employment: 191 Tax: 541 Financial Products: 201 Utilities: 404 Housing: 557 Other (Health, Education & Travel) 400 Total 9,843 As a volunteer led organisation the bureau relies on volunteers for front line services who are supported by salaried staff. Volunteering in the bureau is rewarded by the satisfaction of making a difference to many people’s lives, reaching achievements, vast learning opportunities, training, gaining or improving confidence, use of systems and improving employability. Mostly volunteers engage to become general advisers but some prefer other duties such as reception, administration, social policy, case checking or ICT. Some volunteers go on to become tutors, team leaders or specialists in certain subjects. Prospective advisers, if accepted for training after interview, follow a training programme leading to advice giving or other preferences. In some cases qualifications can be awarded. The work is challenging but varied. Many past volunteers have succeeded to prominent positions in the city. For those not seeking work it provides interest and great sense of purpose. VOLUNTEERING