Finance Score: -5

Governance Score: -5

Support Score: 1

Fundraising costs high: -5
No PartB

Very static board: -5

Grant maker support: +1

Overall GiG Score: -9

RUTHERGLEN AND CAMBUSLANG CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received modest backing from a grant maker
Spending has increased over the last 3 years relative to the previous period
There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
This charity is based in an area of extremely high deprivation

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

The Board composition appears to be very static

Financial issues to consider:

Fundraising costs are extremely high relative to funds raised

Established: 42 years

https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/rutherglen-and-cambuslang-citizens-advice-bureau

Financial Data

Income & Spending ?

Period ending	31/03/18	31/03/19	31/03/20	31/03/21	31/03/22	31/03/23
Charitable activities	£277,216	£289,917	£330,234	£297,501
Donations & Legacies	£74	£2,635	£105	£165
Other Income
Investment Income
Total income	£277,290	£292,552	£330,339	£297,666	£319,528	£313,909
Charitable activities spending	£264,084	£267,123	£262,644	£260,580
Fundraising costs						102%
Other spending	£423	£423	£10,733
Total spending	£264,507	£267,546	£273,377	£260,580	£309,025	£318,658
Surplus/deficit	£12,783	£25,006	£56,962	£37,086	£10,503	-£4,749

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Listed activities

It carries out activities or services itself

Purposes

The advancement of education
The advancement of health
The advancement of citizenship or community development','the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation','the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Where it operates

Wider, but within one local authority area, main operating location: South Lanarkshire

This charity is based in an area of extremely high deprivation

Who it helps

Children or young people
Older People
People with disabilities or health problems','No specific group, or for the benefit of the community

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - Digital Advice Hub
£9,590	02/11/2018	In line with current achievements, we anticipate that the continuation of this project will produce the following outcomes:- Hard Outcomes • Enable 150 clients to make new online applications for ....more In line with current achievements, we anticipate that the continuation of this project will produce the following outcomes:- Hard Outcomes • Enable 150 clients to make new online applications for Benefits and Crisis Payments, • 35 clients will be given on-going help to meet their Universal Credits Claimant Commitment • Fewer families will face financial hardship • More clients will access Hardship Payments quicker • Fewer clients will accumulate rent arrears and face repossession/eviction • More clients will be assisted with Energy Assistance and Council Tax Reduction Applications • Fewer clients will accumulate debt or lose vital income Soft Outcomes • Clients becoming more digitally confident, improving life chances and employability • Clients feeling supported and less afraid of the new application process and methods of managing their claim • Reduction of stress and hardship leading to improved family relationships and better mental health • A stronger and more resilient community
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - Online For All
£9,965	01/10/2018	Detailed information not yet available.
Corra Foundation - HDA-18/276
£4,000	07/06/2018	Towards additional worker hours to set up an outreach digital advice/support hub in Rutherglen.
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - Digital Advice Hub
£9,490	10/11/2017	We would like to set up a dedicated advice hub, one day per week, to specifically assist clients to make online applications for Welfare Benefits, Crisis Payments and Energy Assistance Grants. ....more We would like to set up a dedicated advice hub, one day per week, to specifically assist clients to make online applications for Welfare Benefits, Crisis Payments and Energy Assistance Grants. Through our direct contact with clients in our Bureau and also through our 9 Community Advice Hubs in local neighbourhoods, we have identified a significant need for "hands on" practical assistance, to help vulnerable and "digitally disadvantaged" clients access Welfare Benefits and other crucial online services. Whilst there are local internet access points available within our area, we find that many of these, based in local libraries for example, do not have suitably qualified staff to assist with the often complex welfare benefits system. Resources at Job Centre Plus offices are limited and we find that clients can sometimes feel a little intimidated in this environment, preferring to access free and impartial advice via Citizens Advice. With the recent introduction of full service Universal Credits in South Lanarkshire, clients must now make their own on line applications. For many clients this will involve setting up an email account for the first time, accessing the internet and completing a digital claim. Currently we have no resource to assist with this and can only signpost clients to local internet access points. Having a dedicated Digital Adviser, means that we can not only assist clients make a timely application, but we can also assist them with accessing their "Journal" which they will be required to do in order to manage their online account and satisfy their Claimant Commitment. After having set up a claim, clients will then be expected to frequently access their Journal to update their To Do Lists, Add notes, report changes etc and failure to do so could result in benefit delays or even sanctions, pushing clients and their families into crisis. We feel it is crucial not just to assist with the benefit application, but to also provide on-going help to clients, as the proceed along the journey to Digital Independence. This consistent support will also help to build the confidence and digital expertise of the most vulnerable clients which will in turn help their life chances and skills in other areas. Our Digital Advice Hub will operate from our Bureau one day per week and whilst we will prioritise Universal Credit Applications, we will also provide assistance to clients to claim other Benefits such as Council Tax Reduction and crucially, Crisis Grants from the Scottish Welfare Fund. There is no doubt that the waiting time of at least 6 weeks is causing real hardship for clients. Whilst benefit advances are available, these are often deducted at punitive rates, meaning clients are continually running out of money even when Universal Credit is in payment. Clients may find themselves having to apply for Crisis Grants for essential food and heating and these are more quickly accessed online. Similarly should clients build up Energy Arrears or run out of fuel on a prepayment meter, we will also assist them to apply for Emergency Credits and also to make online applications to the various Trust Funds, which exist to help clients in crisis.
Corra Foundation - HDA-17/32
£6,000	02/02/2017	towards salary costs of the Outreach Workers to run the nine advice hubs in areas of deprivation and offer support to over 1,200 individuals
Robertson Trust - Money and Welfare Adviser
£24,000	22/11/2016	Money and Welfare Adviser

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Directors (7)

Current Directors appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Directors: 61-85

BEATTIE, Imogen Mary
Appointed: 2015
Occupation: Chartered Accountant

BROWN, Fiona Lamont, Dr
Appointed: 2014
Occupation: Retired

FERGUSON, James Forrest
Appointed: 2015
Occupation: Retired

KENNEDY, Alan
Appointed: 2009
Occupation: Engineer

MCDOUGALL, Robert Andrew
Appointed: 2015
Occupation: None

NIXON, James Finlay
Appointed: 2009
Occupation: Teacher

PETTIGREW, William Arbuchle
Appointed: 2014
Occupation: None

Legal constitution

Charity registered in Scotland on 25/02/1982, number: SC003214
Registered at Companies House on 14/09/2009, number: SC365498

Filing Record

5 returns made; all on time

Main office

17 Main Street, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G72 7EX

Objectives

The company's objects are to promote any charitable purposes for the public benefit in Rutherglen and Cambuslang and the adjoining areas. i) the advancement of education by providing clients with information, clarification and understanding of legislation and their legal rights and responsibilities. ii) the relief of those in need by assessing clients entitlement to welfare benefits, by providing assistance in claiming benefits and by assisting them to appeal against refusal to benefits and by doing so ensure they do not suffer from poverty. iii) the advancement of human rights by ensuring that people do not suffer through ignorance of their human rights and by taking such actions required to redress the situation and restore justice. iv) advancement of health by providing a comprehensive advice service which deals with all aspects of clients problems and alleviates the stress and anxiety caused by unsolved problems. v) advancement of community development by recruiting, training and developing local citizens to be volunteer advisers in the Citizens Advice Bureau who in turn assist members of the public in their community and in doing so contribute to the development of their community.

Data Sources