KINCARDINEAND MEARNSCITIZENS ADVICEBUREAU
Welcome to our June Good News Bulletin . We hope you enjoy!
Appointments
Kincardine and Mearns Citizens Advice is currently taking appointments for 4 to 6 weeks
Please see phone number and email address below to arrange an appointment
www.kamcab.org.uk contactus
01569 766 578
Our Locations
Kincardine and Mearns Citizens Advice Bureau offers Advice both in the Bureau - at one of our Outreach appointments - or even a home visit.
Our Bureau appointments are assigned with a Volunteer Adviser - Outreach and Home visits are assigned to our Outreach Adviser Moreen Helling
bureau@kamcab.org.uk
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Bureau Events:
Volunteer Week!
Staff Meeting
Thursday 19th
June 10.00-12.00
Thank you for all who came along - we hope you had a wonderful time!
Full Team Meeting
Thursday 17th
July 2.00-4.00
WHO IS WHO?
Volunteer Advisor
Ian Veltman
Mike Baldwin
Neil Stewart
Shirley Campbell Morgan
Volunteers in Training
Ashley Catto
Leonie Nimmons
Lorna Wilson
Mark Skilling
Alison Ball
Volunteer Admin
Margaret Plye
Anne Leslie Case Checking
Gordon Smith
Social Policy
Paddy Coffield
Board of Directors
Morag Michell Pat Pugh
John Ritchie
Trish Hughes
Outreach Advisor
Moreen Helling
Helpline and Quality
Co-Ordinator
Elaine Sutherland
Money and Debt
Advisor
Julianna Wolfe
Help to Claim
Karen Wood
Chief Officer
Heather Knowles
Deputy Manager
Keith Schofield
Bureau Co-Ordinator
Clare Alexander Admin and Triage CoOrdinator
Charlotte Taylor
Triage Officer
Julie Cairnduff
Welfare Rights Officer
Isobel Macdonald
Council Tax Debt and Income Maximisation Worker
Stan Johnman
CaseStudy
A single mother Sarah found herself in a battle to preserve the security of her family home. Sarah had owned her flat for 30 years and 15 months ago the evidence of damp and mould was making itself known. Her son’s bedroom was quickly being overtaken by the bluish spores. In the 15 months the mould spread to 4 more rooms in the home and it was becoming a critical situation with damaged carpets, clothes, blinds, computer equipment and decorations.
Sarah lived above a Shop which was the source of the mould and this was rented to a local landlord who proved impossible to get hold off. Sarah had had a heart attack 3 years previously and the 84 emails she was sending with little response was compounding to her stress levels. She got 5 quotes as requested in one week but still no action was taken from leasing agent. The quotes were provided to Leasing Agent in 2024 and despite many attempts to get a decision as to which one they were preferring there has been no decision made.
Sarah felt she was being made a fool of and lied to. Sarah felt she was being taken advantage of as a single woman and the Landlords were bullying her to go away.
KAMCAB assisted her with:
• Gaining quotes that also included the address of the Shop so she was not the only one to be cited for the billing- The Leasing Agent has agreed to pay half the cost of the repairs as is normal in split ownership situations
• This vital piece of information ensured the bills were to be paid by the Landlord by providing a line of evidence in the redress
Sarah now feels confident that her situation is going to be resolved fairly and that KAMCAB can continue to support if required.
CaseStudy
Tracey came into the Bureau unsure if there was any support for her and her children. She thought she was not entitled to any support in the separation from her husband as she is self-employed and the father will pay maintenance for the children. The time with our Advisor allowed a thorough look at her case and there were a few significant resources open to her to support her in the new direction of being a Single Mother of 2 young children.
Tracey’s separation is amicable and her and her husband have agreed child access, maintenance and financial matters.
Tracy will remain in the house with the children until it is sold. She wanted advice on any benefits and support to make the separation with her husband formal to secure her position.
KAMCAB assisted her with:
• A benefit check was undertaken and the client was advised that
• She should be entitled to £284.67 Universal Credit per month when her husband leaves the family home
• She is entitled to £235.30 Scottish Child Payment per month
• She is entitled to council tax reduction of £38.96
• Because the couple have children, they would need to get an ordinary procedure divorce which they can apply for after a year of separation if both are in agreement
• Before the divorce, financial and child access arrangements would need to be resolved and a solicitor may have to draw up any agreement
Tracy left with the security that she is now entitled to over £500 per month coming into her home to support the family and has a clear process to navigate the upcoming divorce and new direction for her and the children.
RED ROBIN
Thank you Red Robin for the last minute Sandwiches and ‘Treaty bits’! They were lovely!
Macphie Thank you Macphie for the beautifully delicious muffins!