What & How we will be doing: We will deliver a three-pronged holistic approach to help our members (their families) and those with Learning Disabilities within the wider community of South
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What & How we will be doing: We will deliver a three-pronged holistic approach to help our members (their families) and those with Learning Disabilities within the wider community of South Ayrshire on the Impact of the Welfare Reform – we will deliver: Individual, Group & Practical Workshops covering the Impact of the Welfare Reform including the increasing concerns and uncertainty over sanctions, benefits, food banks, blue badge entitlement etc. Our aim is to dispel the misconceptions and raise awareness of the services available in a way that is tailor-made and understandable. This project will be a new pilot Outreach Programme, aimed at Adults with Learning Disabilities and their families who are suffering greatly due to recent changes in the welfare systems, many we believe unnecessarily due to lack of knowledge and access to tangible help & support. Initially, we will target our 100 members, surveying ie either in writing or verbally with each one to identify those in greatest need and assessing these needs. In addition, we will circulate 1000 flyers to 3rd sector organisations and to public places within our community to promote our services (this will also be an excellent way to help bridge the gap / be the stepping stone to get many more individuals though our doors with an aim of them becoming members, joining in and benefitting from all our activities & services). We will then deliver the following: 1) Individual 121s 1hr Meetings (and or with a family member/carer) - Every Thursday from 10.00 to 1.00pm* – tailored specifically in advance to the individuals need to ensure efficient use of time. Minimum 3 individuals per day x 45 weeks = 135 individuals (plus family members) over a 12-month period. The Welfare & Financial Inclusion Officer will deliver these meetings along with a pool of 2 volunteers. We will cover topics and offer help such as: • Critical financial & welfare support • Checking, verifying eligibility, providing advice on & assisting with benefits • Maximising income from benefits • Assisting access to other specialist support • Providing advice on budget planning & debt problems • Attending sanction & other meetings, preventing sanctions *times above may vary depending on travel requirements • Support members in the completion of documentation including drafting correspondence, assisting with financial calculations and negotiating with a range of third parties on their behalf e.g. benefits agencies, statutory bodies, creditors and others as appropriate. • Liaise with partners to ensure that service users are signposted to the most effective pathway • Practical help eg Form Filling Transport to meetings Accompanying them to or representing them at meetings Making introductions In addition, Evaluation Forms will be distributed for completion to enable our Trustees to assess the success of the 121 Meetings and implement any learnings, to ensure these meetings continue effectively & efficiently. There will be a box within our Reception for the Evaluation Forms to be posted. 2) Group 1hr Workshop - Every Thursday from 2.00 to 3.00pm – (the workshop will include some role play & photo symbols - which we know from past projects & experience is extremely helpful to our members in understanding situations and in keeping their attention and focus). Maximum 10 individuals per workshop = 10 individuals per day x 8 weeks (1 block = 8 weeks) x 5 blocks = 50 individuals over a 12-month period. (this number will be higher as some may attend the topic particularly relevant to them opening up a space for another individual and some may attend the full 8 weeks – we will encourage attendance of the full 8 weeks). The Welfare & Financial Inclusion Officer will deliver these Workshops along with a pool of 2 volunteers. These Workshops will cover the following Topics (some topics will be spread over 1 to 2 weeks and will last 8 weeks). "Universal Credit - Week 1 & 2" This workshop will cover and explain in detail the requirements required, how to prepare for these and the consequences should they fail to do so eg: Work- related requirements: • work focused interviews • work preparation • work search • work availability Personal Circumstances: • no work-related requirement • work focused interview requirement only • work focused interview and work preparation requirements • all work-related requirements Sanctions & Hardship Payments: • Explained in full using non-threatening, simple explanations ensuring that they are aware of the 121 help and practical workshops that we provide. "Working-Age Benefits - Week 3" This workshop will cover the changes and responsibilities required in the period leading up the introduction of Universal Credit and the abolition of the various benefits. "Other Benefit Changes - Week 4" This workshop will cover the changes to a number other social security benefits, including: • Community Care Grants & Crisis Loans • Housing Benefits • Carer's Allowance • Transport & Travel "Personal Independence Payment - Week 5 & 6" This workshop will cover the 2 components of this new benefit: • Daily Living • Mobility "Budget Planning – Let's Make A Plan- Week 7" This workshop will focus on: • Income • Home Expenses eg. rent, utilities etc • Daily Living Expenses eg groceries, hygiene supplies, clothing etc • Activities / Hobbies eg. swimming club, cinema etc • Transport Exenses eg. public transport "Recap / Q&A - Week 8" This workshop will focus on anything that is still unclear / will involve a Q&A session and signposting to additional external support where necessary. During this hour we may decide to bring in external speakers / representatives from organisations such as the Food Bank, Money Matters, Citizen Advice etc., this will be decided upon when the Workshop is up and running and what additional help / resources may be identified. We are keen to work with our local community and to encourage help and support from all services within the community. In addition, Evaluation Forms will be distributed for completion within the workshop or at home to enable our Trustees to assess the success of each block and implement any learnings, to ensure each block is delivered effectively & efficiently. There will be a box within our Reception for the Evaluation Forms to be posted. 3) Practical 2hr Workshop & After Care - Every Tuesday from 6.00pm till 8.00pm – These workshops will give members the opportunity to seek practical help for filling in forms where their family members & carers can also attend to help / learn how to do so. During this time access their will also be access to computers to assist with research, online form filling etc. All those individuals who have attended our other 2 Workshops will be invited to come along on Tuesday evenings to ensure that they can still receive continued help where necessary. Maximum 10 individuals per workshop = 10 individuals per workshop x 45 weeks (some of these individuals will also attend 121 meetings & group meetings and may overlap and / or some may come more than 1 week) – we therefore realistically anticipate reaching an additional 100 individuals [to those mentioned above] plus family members / carers over 12 months via these workshops). The Welfare & Financial Inclusion Officer will deliver these Workshops along with a pool of 2 volunteers. Why? People with learning disabilities have a significant lifelong condition which affects their development. In addition to the needs we all share ie. a place to live, security, social and personal relationships, leisure, recreation and work opportunities, people with learning disabilities also need help to understand information, support to make decisions and plan, learn hard & soft skills and help with communication. Many people with learning disabilities have additional challenges eg physical and sensory impairment, mental health problems, family circumstances, behavioural difficulties and increasingly, poverty including accessing food banks. The level of support they need varies from occasional or short-term eg during periods of change or crisis to constant intensive support. We have always been aware of the need for individual personal support but felt the charity did not have the capacity to deliver such a service. However, the impact of the withdrawal of funding for and subsequent closure of our sister charity the Citizen Advocacy Support Services charity (CASS), located in Sutherland House, exacerbated by seriously reduced welfare payments, resulted in: • An acute deterioration in the level of independence experienced by people with learning disabilities • No non-statutory advocacy support for people with learning disabilities in South Ayrshire • And, on a more positive note, a group of experienced, dedicated ex-volunteers from CASS suddenly available and keen to work with us! Who will benefit? (please see Q26 for additional info) Members & their families / carers • Members • Staff • Sessional Staff Worker Once funding is secured, the position of Welfare & Financial Inclusion Officer will be advertised within: • Goodmoves - charity & voluntary sector employment • JobCentre Plus • Ayrshire Colleges – Social Science (community development) faculty We have 2 exCASS volunteers who are willing to commit their time to this project (one who also has a background in Social Work and the other currently helps with 'form filling' at the local Salvation Army). Both are keen to participate in any refresher training etc., required of them. • 2 Volunteers • Other 3rd sector organisations and their members Where? This service would be delivered within our premises "Sutherland House". We are ideally located with easy walking & public transport.
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