Boldon Lane Neighbourhood Advice Centre Neil Clyde Sue Cooke

What services do we provide?  Benefits (in work, unemployment and disablement benefits)  Debt  Housing Advice  Alternative Office for DWP  Accessible 9:00-17:00 5 days per week for emergencies  Home visits arranged for housebound  7 advice sessions a week  Outreach sessions at South Tyneside College  Appointments out of hours for workers/carers etc. Advice and Assistance regarding:-

CLIENT GROUP  Mainly living in Biddick Hall, Whiteleas, Simonside, Rekendyke, and All Saints Wards.  People referred borough wide through :- Mental Health Teams, Social Services and Voluntary Sector Partners. Mental Health Teams, Social Services and Voluntary Sector Partners.

Our Centre  Situated on Boldon Lane.  Accessible by bus, Metro and car with ample parking.  Private interview rooms  Fully accessible to the disabled  Community Café providing meals and refreshments

Referrals from other agencies  Bliss = Ability  Advocacy Unit  Assertive outreach Team  S/Tyne Mental Health Teams  Job Centre Plus  Street Level(Barnados)  Solicitors  Under the Bridge Housing Project  North East Council for Addictions  SAIL (NORCARE)  Places for People  South Tyneside Homes  Mental Health in S/Tyneside  Bede Unit S/Tyneside Hosp  Family Support Teams  Local Councillors  Connexions  South Tyneside Arts Project  GP Surgeries  South Tyneside Central Organisation on Disabilities  Fibromyalgia Group

We also work in partnership with:-  South Tyneside College  Hay and Kilner Solicitors (housing advice)  Pension Credit (Alternative Office)  Action Station  Community Legal Services Partnership Members

Key Issues  Closure of local DWP/Inland Revenue offices and staff cuts delaying claim processing and access by public.  Numbers of Mental Health Clients needing more lengthy support increasing  Complexity of claims  Inaccurate DWP/Inland revenue decision making

Key issues  Levels of Indebtedness increasing  Future legislative changes  Urgency and diversity of client needs means the most vulnerable are at greatest risk  Limited resources reduces capacity to meet unmet need  Obtaining charitable status

SERVICE QUALITY ASSURANCE Service quality achieved through Community Legal Service monitoring procedures Confidentiality, equal opportunities and conflict of interest policies Confidentiality, equal opportunities and conflict of interest policies Independent file reviews Independent file reviews Client feedback Client feedback Annual project review Annual project review Financial management Financial management Staff Support and supervision Staff Support and supervision On going training On going training

FUNDING STREAMS South Tyneside Council South Tyneside Council South Tyneside college weekly out reach sessions South Tyneside college weekly out reach sessions