IVAN CRUZ - Gibraltar CAB Improving Lives Brick By Brick Every year, in the run up to Christmas, the Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) identifies how best they can help the community and launches awareness initiatives. The Gibraltar Magazine spoke to Ivan Cruz, GCAB Deputy Manager, to find out more about the Brick by Brick campaign they have launched this year, building up to the final event held in Casemates Square on Monday, 8th December. December is usually the month when we spend more time with our families, or if we can’t we at least think of our loved ones more. Each year the Gibraltar CAB creates a special campaign to help those in our community who may be experiencing hardship at this special time of year. “Every year in the run up to Christmas, the Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau identifies awareness initiatives which, in the past have included Keep out of Debt at Christmas, Tips for a better Christmas and Adopt a Grandparent for Christmas. “Christmas is the time of year in which we should all reflect as a community on the needs of others especially those who are not with us this Christmas because of an illness,” he emphasises. This year’s Brick By Brick campaign is designed by Gibraltar CAB to help families with hospital patients who needed to be treated abroad. The burden of treatment, travel and all related costs can leave families in a difficult situation in a short period of time. Ivan explained the catalyst behind CAB Gibraltar’s 2014 campaign: “Well, our Bureau Manager Pili Rodriguez had various unfortunate circumstances where members of her family had to receive treatment abroad this past year. We all joined forces with her as a team since we believe there comes a time when unfortunate circumstances might have any of us going to the UK for treatment and many face financial hardship. Let’s face it, a long stay in the UK can be very daunting and worrying, aside from the financial and emotional stress that this entails. We know many people face this predicament at some point and it can be overwhelming. “Unfortunately we have had numerous clients receiving treatment abroad due to illnesses who have contacted the Citizens Advice Bureau seeking assistance due to financial difficulties since they incur unexpected costs. It is something that affects people of all ages. Rarely, but unfortunately, it is something that also affects children and their guardians,” regrets Ivan. Raising awareness is always the first step in improving any situation. “Our aim is to create awareness in every corner of society, such as schools, associations, firms and other entities in our community and to encourage them to
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2014
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help others in the form of a donation,” he explains. It really is an issue we rarely think about until it affects us personally and it is in our nature not to plan for getting sick. How best should we prepare ourselves for the unexpected expenses in our lives in general? “People save for holidays, for new homes, for refurbishments, for retirement and so on, but never for illnesses. Some people have life or critical illnesses insurance but, more often than not, these things come suddenly and people are not prepared for it. “At the CAB we have a money advice clinic which could help people budget their income and expenditure,” says Ivan. What is the advice to people seeking help at the Citizens Advice Bureau? “In this particular area, there is little that we can advise, hence the reason for this campaign. People who have an illness and are already facing financial difficulties because of it are interviewed by Robert Balban or a member of the Gibraltar Community Association and are given the necessary help needed. “This can be a terrible stress at a very vulnerable time in each individual’s own lives. Some people need a helping hand and Citizens Advice Bureau together with the Gibraltar Community Association and the Calpe House trust are willing to offer that little bit of extra help to relieve the extra financial stress some endure. As a Citizens Advice Bureau we believe that raising awareness of these issues will ultimately benefit all,” he reveals. What other sorts of problems do people approach the CAB with in Gibraltar? “Problems come in all shapes and sizes, what might be a problem for you might not be a problem for me. All advisers at the Gibraltar CAB are willing to offer the necessary
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A perfect world would be ideal, however the real world brings a whole load of problems and issues that can affect an individual, a group or a community
time to anyone coming through our doors with any particular issue or problem. “Raising awareness on the Equal Opportunities Act 2006 by offering training, conferences and information has definitely seen a rise in numbers when it comes to Discrimination in Employment cases. “If I were to go by statistics since we were established in 2003, I would say that employment issues together with separation and divorce issues are definitely the most common problem brought to the Gibraltar CAB,” states Ivan. Many problems presented to the CAB are issues that may affect us all at some point in our lives. The problems surrounding getting sick and receiving treatment abroad is certainly one of these, and CAB hopes this campaign will be a first step towards a solution. “Definitely, any help offered to anyone in need is a step in the right direction. We are very fortunate to be able to receive any treatment for free here in Gibraltar, however it’s only logical that anyone receiving treatment abroad incurs expenses especially if they have bills or debts to pay here in Gibraltar too. “Therefore any donations offered to improve their lives whilst ill is considered a step in the right direction although not a permanent solution,” he adds. Beyond this campaign what is the future for Gibraltar’s CAB? “A perfect world would be ideal, however the realistic world brings a whole load of problems and issues that can affect an individual, a group or a community,” he says. “I would therefore like to see an extension to the services offered by the Gibraltar CAB including mediation services as an alternative dispute resolution and financial capability services to avoid people getting into extreme debt,” Ivan wishes for the New Year. Should you wish to make a donation towards the Improving Lives Brick by Brick campaign please contact Ivan or anyone at the Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau. Alternatively find them at Casemates Square on Monday 8th December from 9.30am. Here’s to a problem free Festive Season! n To contact CAB you can visit their office at 10 Governor’s Lane, send them an email at info@cab.gi, or call 200 40006.
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