Social Policy & Campaigns
Background
Worcester Citizens Advice Bureau, in conjunction with other bureaux and the national association, campaigns to constantly work towards improving the problems facing citizens in the UK.
•Social policy is a twin aim, of equal value, of Citizens Advice, alongside the aim of giving advice. The Social Policy aim is ‘to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.
•National and local laws, policies and practices affect everybody’s everyday lives. Social Policy campaigns for change when it is apparent that these laws, policies and practices do not work properly.
Through campaigns we aim to create more awareness of certain issues that affect citizens everyday. The more evidence there is, the more policy makers will take note. Campaigns may be national as well as local and usually run for a period of around one month, or longer in the case of national issues
Current Campaigns
End child poverty campaign -
Do you find it hard to make your money last?
•Are you having trouble getting the benefits you’re entitled to, or struggling to pay for your gas, electricity or phone?
•Maybe you find it difficult paying your rent, mortgage or council tax, or having problems opening or using a bank account?
•How does it affect your children?
•Are you struggling to meet the costs of your children’s school uniforms, trips and PE kits?
•You may find it too expensive to celebrate your children’s birthdays or take them out on a trip.
If this sounds familiar, please tell Citizens Advice your story at End Child Poverty.
(Fill in form online or ask Worcester CAB Receptionist or Adviser for a leaflet.
Tenancy Deposit Protection – Is your landlord’s word worth the paper it’s written on?
From 6 April 2007, all deposits (for rent up to £25,000 per annum) taken by landlords and letting agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales, must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Check that your landlord has protected your deposit. If you need further advice, contact us.
•If your tenancy agreement is pre 6 april 2007 and you are having problems getting your deposit back, please contact the CAB or mention it to an adviser.
Retaliatory or illegal eviction –
•Private landlords can use Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to end an assured shorthold tenancy agreement – effectively a fast-track means of evicting a tenant – without needing to provide any reason why.
•Many tenants in the UK are living in substandard (homes that need repairs or heating etc.) housing because they are afraid to complain to their landlords for fear of being evicted.
•See also: My landlord wants me out: protection against harassment and illegal eviction
•If this is you, please mention it to an adviser or contact us
NHS Dentists
In October 2007 the communications manager for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust said “There are still lots of spaces available for NHS dental treatment at Worcester, Pershore and Malvern and new patients are welcome.
If you are still trying to find a dentist please contact us
Post Offices
•If you are having difficulties accessing the post office on the first floor on W H Smith’s please tell us of your difficulties – contact us.
•If you are expecting your local Post Office to close and this is going to cause you problems please tell us the problems – contact us.
If you know of an issue where you think Worcester CAB should be taking action, or if you’re interested in volunteering as a social policy working in the bureau contact us.
For more information about the national campaigns Citizens Advice Bureaux are involved in click here .