Target reached!
Train more volunteers to be able to cope with increased demand for services.
Volunteer Debt Advisers (COVID-19 Recovery phase)
Tiverton, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Improve peoples money management skills, helping them to be able to deal with debt and bounce back from, the difficulties after COVID-19.
We need to prepare now! - Early analysis by Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) predicts the number of people needing help with debt will climb for at least the next 18 months – increasing by over 60% and peaking around the end of 2021.
What do we aim to do? In response to COVID-19 we will recruit & train 15 volunteers in debt & money management skills to ensure that we can deal with the increased demand for our services as people have lost their jobs & struggle on low incomes. We will provide free, confidential & impartial advice to the most vulnerable in our society, those who are homeless & those threatened with homelessness, who approach us for help and guidance. Any donation will go towards paying for volunteer recruitment, training, expenses, and their support & supervision.
Quote:
“I can’t believe it after all these years I can finally say I’m debt free!!!! But couldn’t have done it without you and I can’t thank you and all of CHAT team enough for all your help.”
For more information specifically on Debt and Money Advice please click here:
Recent increased demand for our services: Since COVID-19 began - In the last 6 weeks (from 13th April 2020) the number of foodbox deliveries was 475. The average number in a family is 4 so this totals approximately 1900 mouths fed, of people living on a low income, a x4 fold increase on usual!
Value of our service: 83% of clients helped stated that CHAT had helped a great deal to feel less stressed, anxious or depressed. Following use of the Foodbank 20% of clients went on to access our other advice services.
Background information on our services:
It is difficult for those who have not experienced homelessness, or been at risk of losing their home, to appreciate the impact that such events have on people. When children are also involved, the practical and emotional effects are multiplied, along with serious impact on family relationships. Therefore, the work of CHAT across Mid Devon is vital.
CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) has been working since 1995 to tackle homelessness, avoid evictions and bring hope to the communities of Mid Devon.
All our services are provided entirely free by a dedicated team of highly trained staff, supported by knowledgeable volunteers.
We believe that everyone is entitled to decent, secure and affordable housing – somewhere to call home.
We give free, impartial and confidential Housing Advice in person, over the phone or by email, and our advisers can act on your behalf where necessary.
With the free support from our Tenancy Support workers we can support you to keep your home and move on with your life.
We can offer current clients Debt and Money Advice where appropriate.
We have a range of essential items to help people in the community, many donated to us, which are distributed at CHAT’s discretion:
For anyone sleeping rough and not able to access housing immediately we have a store of tents and sleeping bags.
For those setting up home we have a store of donated bedding, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils and pots and pans.
Our hardship fund can be used to help with anything from a copy of a birth certificate to a bus fare.
CHAT’s food bank serves the Tiverton area and is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Food parcels are given out at CHAT’s discretion on receipt of a food voucher from referral agencies such as Local Welfare and GP surgeries. Food banks are also based in Cullompton and Crediton churches.
CHAT enjoys the support of committed volunteers and benefits greatly from the generosity of the local community.
DCC's Community Chest has provided £1,300 of match funding
Aviva Community Fund has provided £87 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 20th July 2020