Grant boost for Craven Citizens’ Advice Bureau (From Craven Herald)

Grant boost for Craven Citizens’ Advice Bureau

11:00am Sunday 12th February 2012 in Local news

A Craven advice service has been handed almost £4,000 to support its work with older people.

The Craven Citizens’ Advice Bureau picked up £3,900 from the Nationwide Foundation to support its work.

The funding will be used to enable the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to improve the services it offers and promotes greater use of the bureau by the over-60s within Craven.

Fewer pensioners than expected are using the bureau to seek advice and support and it is hoped to change this.

Bureau manager Erica Cadbury said: “We are very grateful to the Nationwide Foundation for this donation. It will enable us to ensure that a greater part of our community receives the help and advice the bureau offers.”

Lisa Suchet, the Nationwide Foundation’s chief executive, said: “Every donation made by Nationwide Foundation aims to help people in need, with a focus on funding charities helping older people.

“We are confident that our grant will make a significant impact to Craven Citizens’ Advice Bureau.”

People aged 60 and above will be contacted.

The bureau offers advice on benefits and debt, money management and paying for care.

It can help people to manage their money and if they have debts will help them come to a manageable arrangement or act as their intermediaries for a debt relief order or bankruptcy.

They can also advise on paying for care and managing at home for older people who live in their own homes or where an older person is left at home when their partner goes into care.

All advice is free, independent and confidential.