MAPCAB Digest 4 Digital

THE MONTHLY BUREAU ROUND-UP ! NEWS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS

NEW JUN - AUG 2017 | ISSUE 04

MAPCABDIGEST

Maryhill and Possilpark Citizens Advice Bureau

PRESENTING BUREAU 
OUR STAFF  SPOTLIGHTS

See what SAY HI TO OUR
exciting things FANTASTIC
our Staff have
been up to.  EQUALITIES TEAM

Volunteer  EXCLUSIVE!
Voices
News FLASH
Take a look at
some stand out SEE THE EXCITING
Volunteers NEWS FROM THE
recognised by BUREAU OVER THE
clients LAST FEW MONTHS

Social
Media
Highlights

See what Money
Saving Expert
made our day on
Twitter!

MAPCABDIGEST

WELCOME FROM... Officer

Our Chief

It’s been another very busy few weeks in MAPCAB, with us yet again performing to a very high standard, with our
staff and volunteers continuing to work very hard across the organisation to meet the needs of the communities we

serve.

I am delighted to mention that MSP Bob Doris nominated MAPCAB for a parliamentary motion to the chamber in
July for our Scam Awareness campaigning work in our local communities in particular, which itself forms a part of
the Scotland-wide campaign overseen by Citizens Advice Scotland. I am also equally pleased to mention that our

Equalities Project has been funded by the Scottish Government for another 3 years - more about these bits of
exciting news can be found on page 5.

We also welcome in another new Board member, Alastair MacKenzie.

Alastair is an independent consultant supporting Financial Services businesses with strategies for Risk,
Compliance and Regulatory Change. He has worked in Financial Services for over 25 years, with more than 15

years in senior management positions within market leading Banking, Wealth Management, and Trustee and
Depository businesses. He brings expertise in strategies for Investments, Risk, and Regulatory Change. During his
career he has managed the investments of a number of well-known Scottish Charities and Endowments, and is a

Non Executive Director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts. Alastair is also a leader in promoting equality and
diversity in the workplace, and devised and implemented a strategy that raised a major financial services provider

from unrated to the top Scottish Employer in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.

It is indeed great to see our new Board grow and develop over these last few months, which bodes very well for
the future. We need our new Board to be as excellent as our staff and volunteers, to build on our successes and

the high regard with which MAPCAB is held in our wider communities.

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MAPCABDIGEST

BUREAU SPOTLIGHTS

EQUALITIES PROJECT WHAT WE DO

Who are we -  

Funded through the Scottish Government Equalities Fund, The Equalities
Project seeks to broaden the range of volunteering opportunities
available for people across the protected characteristics.  The project
has developed over time and now provides a number of services to the
community that are not otherwise available. The Equalities Project
benefits the Bureau by increasing awareness of and sensitivity towards
cultural norms that can impact on clients, and by helping to address the
barriers to service that clients from across the protected
characteristics can face.

Outreaches Locations & What we do - 

Immigration Clinic - Bureau (As well as incorporated into all below)
The clinic now offers specialist advice and assistance on a number of applications and processes such as
settlement in the UK, spouse visas, UK citizenship applications, and residence permits for EEA
nationals. We also conduct a telephone helpline for other Citizens’ Advice Bureaux and external
agencies dealing with immigration advice requests.

INS:PIRE - Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Intensive Care Syndrome: Promoting Independence and Return to Employment, or InS:PIRE, is a person
recovery programme which runs at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for surviving patients of the Intensive Care
Unit and their caregivers. It is a joint initiative between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the
University  of Glasgow that aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones, and to
empower patients to take control over their health and wellbeing.

Chinese Community Outreach 
a specialised outreach service in Possilpark Library for members of the Chinese community. This
outreach provides people with advice on a number of issues including benefits, housing, and financial
inclusion

Maryhill Integration Network
Developed in response to the needs of their users, specifically targeting people who would face
difficulties accessing the Citizens Advice Bureau.  This outreach covers issues relating to benefits,
debt, housing, consumer and utilities. 

Garnethill 

developed in response to the needs of users from Central and West Integration Network and the wider BME

community.  The outreach covers issues relating to benefits, debt, housing, consumer, utilities and 3
immigration.

LADIES &MAPCABDIGEST
GENTLEMEN...

Triple Congratulations
are in order!

Our Tribunals Worker Alphaeus
Graduated this summer with

a BA (Hons) Law & Business
from UWS Paisley,

with his hard work giving him a fantastic
A for his Dissertation!
And to top it off a

Volunteer Recognition award
from UWS for his previous voluntary

work at the CAB.

Fantastic Community
Development work

As mentioned in our previous issue, we have Alex working with us as Development
Outreach Worker. His role involves building connections and partnerships with
local food initiatives and community resources, to make a difference to the food
poverty that our community is continually finding themselves stuck in.

The work Alex has carried out over the past few months has been fantastic and will
really make a difference for services and people in the Glasgow community and
we can't wait to share further the amazing work Alex has done on his placement
with MAPCAB & Woodlands Community.

We want to thank all clients that give us feedback on our service and kindly thank us with gifts, it is very much appreciated.
To keep up-to-date with Bureau news visit our Social Media pages (links found on back page)

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MAPCABDIGEST

Our Staff

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OfuarnhLtaaibssrtbaiceryeotonvOesruree-tretchGeotearghecnelahaissatWetpWdfpoeorrbwerkykcemivrAaaoAtdirnoediotn!ehu'soss,fhcoaliuerrdnStwstaofrfk

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MAPCABDIGEST

SECIOV REETNULOV VOLUNTEER'S HARD WORD...
...RECOGNISED BY CLIENTS

Our clients are at the center of our Bureau and it is fantastic to see them praise our
service as we are aware how crucial some of the help given is to them.

Our Volunteers are a massive part in the work that is carried out for clients and it is
really rewarding for us to see clients appreciate their work as much as we do.

Here are a few highlights over the past few months;

One of our dedicated Our Vasoculluciecnnetetsews-rfhuGPilcleryhetewahrtoerwnesoctuhrepkei!pvireoadrtpetphdeaaannlkds from
Volunteers Ann M came into
the office to the delight of this
sweet gift of thanks from a
client (which was kindly shared
among the office for days)!

Our newly
trained

Volunteer Lisa,
received thanks
for her support

through a
clients ESA
Appeal Claim! 

Keep up-to-date with Bureau news on our
Social Media pages (links found on back page)

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MAPCABDIGEST

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE'S SECIOV REETNULOV
THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

WadhvaVitoswleulrainksTteery?aeoirnuirng tWhohsuaegtprBhavrrtouisecvreeoyidaontehuusterh?e I continue to be amazed by the work done by the
collection of wonderful volunteers and advisers at
From the very beginning of my
training as a volunteer adviser Val, the Bureau.
Katie, Zhila and the rest of the team
The Bureau provides critical services to the most
were incredibly welcoming and vulnerable people in society, guiding them in times
through an engaging training of crisis with a professional and inclusive approach.
programme clearly explained the
welfare and supports systems Clients are often overwhelmed by the challenges
they face, and without support would be unable
available in Scotland
to navigate a pathway forward.

- a very challenging task!

feoHefoltwbheeTdienMidagAmyaPo?CpuaArBt During the shadowing and supported practice stages all
the advisers I worked with were supportive, and provided
excellent advice on how to manage cases. Engaging with

clients was very rewarding and it was wonderful to be
able to offer them constructive assistance.

Volunteering with the Bureau has been a very valuable
learning experience for me. I feel very privileged to have

been able to contribute in some small way to this work,
and hope I will be back in the future.

Emma Williams, Former Volunteer 7
Now working as an International Development Worker with Mary's Meals

If you are a former volunteer and have went into further education, employment or
placements we would like to keep up to date with you all and your success,
as it is great for us to see here at the Bureau.

MAPCABDIGEST NewFsLASH

Three Year

Equalities Funding

Maryhill & Possilpark CAB have been awarded a 3-year grant from the Scottish Government Equalities Fund,
amounting to £210k. This is great news for our Equalities Project team and our Bureau staff and volunteers!
We look forward to continuing our work with protected characteristics groupings across Glasgow alongside

partners in various local and national organisations.

The Project has developed over time and now provides a number of services to the community that are not
otherwise available. With numerous outreaches across Glasgow The Equalities project seeks to support those

in the community that may not be able to find help elsewhere.

Parliamentary Nod for

Scams Awareness Month

Scams Awareness Month took place July 2017 and Maryhill & Possilpark CAB took part sharing tips and advice through our
website and social media about how to best avoid scams and what types of scams to watch out for. Our Advisers also integrated
hightened awareness into their outreaches and interviews with the use of posters and leaflets bringing the crucial attention to the

campaign.

Our involvement in the campaign also made it's way to the Scottish Parliament with Bob Doris, Maryhill & Springburn MSP,
raising a Parliamentary Motion to recognise the efforts of the CAB in promoting awareness around scams carried out on young

people through the use of social media and the rise of the digital age.

MSP Annie Wells Visit

Last Month we had the pleasure of welcoming Conservative MSP Annie
Wells into the Bureau to get an insight into the how the service is run on

one of our busiest days, DROP-IN.
It was great to be able to showcase our volunteers and staff and give a
real experience of what this crucial service does for the community and

8 how busy we are.

MAPCABDIGEST

BUREAU ROUND-UP

Facts and figures of the Bureau

Drop-in New Clients Bureau
228 Success Stories

Drop-ins during months Success #1
of June, July & August;
Client is an ex- convict and is unsure of how the social security
benefit system operates. Their aim is to get involved in the

community and turn their self around. Our adviser helped client
to apply for Scottish Welfare Fund as well as discussing ways to

save and budget money, as they intend to run their own
business using skills acquired while in prison. Client

commented that from the discussion with our adviser, they felt
they could turn their self around for their children and be

integrated in the community which they did not expect when
they first came in.

Drop-in Total Clients Success #2
521
NHS Client with mental health problems advised they had been
very nervous before the appointment but our adviser was very
helpful and non-judgemental, putting them very much at ease.

Allowing for the client to trust and setlle in a relaxed
environment to use a service which is crucial.

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MAPCABDIGEST

LOOKING AHEAD

Training

DATE TOPIC DURATION

August Welfare Reform AM
Thursday 31st August Sanctions PM
Thursday 31st August
Personal Independence Payment Full Day
September Benefits for Carers Full Day
Tuesday 5th September *AM 9:30 am
Thursday 7th September How to Take an Effective START
Thursday 14th September Financial Statement
PM
Thursday 14th September Introduction to Debt Advice Day
Tuesday 19th September Universal Credit Day
Thursday 21st September Day
Wednesday 27th September Employment Support Allowance
Housing Benefit incl Bedroom Tax Day
Friday 29th September
& Benefit Cap AM
October Scottish Welfare Fund PM
Tuesday 3rd October Day
Tuesday 3rd October Welfare Reform Day
Thursday 5th October Sanctions AM
Tuesday 10th October PM
Thursday 12th October Universal Credit
Thursday 12th October Personal Independence Payment
The Debt Arrangement Scheme

Routes into Bankruptcy

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MAPCABDIGEST

Our BT Donate page is a great way for us to
raise funds for the Bureau! 

Follow the link below to take a look; 
www.mydonate.bt.com/charities/maryhil

lpossilparkcitizensadvicebureau 
 

Thank you to everyone involved in the Bureau
for your continued support of our service!

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MAPCAB DIGEST

Highlights

Twitter:
@MaryhillCAB

MMaarrttiinn LLeewwiiss
((MMoonneeyySSaavviinnggEExxppeerrtt))
RReettwweeeetteedd uuss ttoo hhiiss 446633KK

FFoolllloowweerrss!!

Our Volunteer Recruitment
for October 2017 has started &

details can be found on,

Facebook:
@Maryhill&PossilparkCAB

LinkedIn: Website: YouTube:
Maryhill and Possilpark www.mapcab.org.uk Maryhill and Possilpark
Citizens Advice Bureau Citizens Advice Bureau
Instagram:
@mapcab2016