Posted on the 26th October 2017
The Bucks Money Advice Service is celebrating a fantastic first year, having given financial advice and support to 848 Paradigm residents experiencing debt or financial difficulty. The BMAS was funded by a two year grant from the Paradigm Foundation to provide a money advice service to residents across Buckinghamshire.
177 of the 848 residents who received assistance were given ongoing support from the debt casework team and as a result of the service Paradigm residents received a combined total of £477,936 in financial outcomes between April 2016 and March 2017.
Jennifer Allott, District Manager of Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau commented: “The Bucks Money Advice Service is delighted to have helped so many Paradigm residents address their money problems. We want to help even more people manage their debts next year.”
One resident who benefited from the service was referred after their housing benefit was reduced to £0.50 a week. Struggling to make rent repayments, the client, along with their family of seven children, was at risk of eviction.
Their BMAS adviser was able to support the resident to appeal the housing benefit reduction and backdated housing benefit was then used to clear arrears. The adviser also helped the resident to claim Disability Living Allowance for her daughter with learning disabilities and agree repayment terms for non-priority debts.
To ensure residents gain maximum benefit from the service, Paradigm Rent Officers and Tenancy Sustainment Officers were trained in the debt service on offer and in the systems for referring clients with rent arrears, with a focus on referring clients early, before they reach crisis point.
Over the coming year, the service aims to continue to meet the needs of Paradigm residents, building upon the skills of its volunteer caseworker network, whilst working with Paradigm to increase referrals from across the county.
Find out more about Bucks Money Advice Service on the Chiltern CAB website.
Posted 02 Aug 2019
A £5,000 grant from Paradigm Foundation has enabled Road Farm Countryways in Great Missenden to improve their facilities and continue the vital work that they do helping young people with learning difficulties to thrive and...
Posted 26 Jun 2019
These lovely thank you letters have been received from children at Wooburn Green Primary School for the grant of £4,953 the Paradigm Foundation provided for their Forest School initiative.
