ANNUAL REPORT WEST LOTHIAN

Names: Alan Hamilton MBE and Charlie Walker, Regional Support Officers Project: Armed Services Advice Project Date of Report 1October 2016 to 30 September 2017 ASAP is provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau Service, a highly trusted network with decades of experience delivering a free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and information service to the general public. The project is funded by: Poppyscotland, ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), Seafarers UK, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). The ASAP Aim is to deliver advice and support to members of the Armed Forces Community in our area through Citizens Advice Bureaux in the Edinburgh and Lothians area: Livingston (Base), Haddington, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Pilton, Dalry/Gorgie, Leith and Dundas Street. The Armed Forces Community is made up of all those currently serving or who have served in any of the three armed services as a Regular or a Reservist and their immediate families. Also included are those members of the Merchant Navy who have deployed on operations in support of the armed services. Summary of main activities during the period We have continued advising clients across region through appointments, telephone and email contact. A significant proportion of clients have accessed the ASAP service on an ongoing casework basis.  Strengthened links with CAB and other projects in Edinburgh and Lothians.  Outreach Sessions at : o Whitefoord House Veterans Residence o Personnel Recovery Centre gave us local clients and others referred to their local areas o Regular and Reserve Forces o SAMH  Increased referrals from all partners including ASAP Helpline, Poppy Scotland, SAMH, SSAFA, MPs, MSPs.  Prisons o HMP Addiewell o SACRO Veterans Mentoring Service  Represented ASAP at o West Lothian Armed Forces Day o West Lothian Armed Forces Covenant Meetings  ASAP presentation given to: o Transition courses at the Personnel Recovery Centre o Regular and Reserve Army on Welfare, Debt and Gambling o Other veterans and Armed Forces Charities  Attended o RASC/RCT Association Meetings o West Lothian Armed Forces Day o Legion Scotland Meetings o Veterans meetings in HMP Addiewell o WW1 commemoration events o Funerals of clients o Training days on Welfare, Aged Veterans, Fares4Free etc. o Livingston Veterans Breakfast at the Football Stadium.  Partnership Working continues giving and receiving mutual support: o SAMH, Veterans First Point, Combat Stress, SSAFA, Veterans UK, Army Welfare Service (Dreghorn) o Houses for Heroes, Scottish Veterans Residences, Joint Services Housing Advice Office o Scottish War Blinded, Defence Medical Welfare Service, Army Welfare Service, Edinburgh Garrison, Chaplains o Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland o West Lothian Council,  Emerging themes: 1. Continuing high numbers of ESA and PIP applications, renewals and Mandatory Reconsiderations. 2. Cases are becoming more complex and demanding more time and effort. ANNUAL REPORT WEST LOTHIAN

Progress towards targets 1 Oct 16 – 30 Sep 17: Clients seen:108. Most of our work was delivered to previous clients or on a casework basis. Issues arising, only applicable to clients during period. Figures in brackets are those from last report:  Benefits, Tax Credits and National Insurance: 140  Employment: 13  Debt: 42  Charitable support: 42  Housing: 34  Financial products and services: 35  Health & community care: 8  Legal 11  Relationships: 13  Utilities: 4  Education : 2  Consumer: 1  Tax: 6  Travel: 1 Case study  Estranged wife and family of soldier found suitable accommodation in a private let. Funding secured for deposit, advance of rent, removal expenses and essential furniture and fittings. Clt financial gan £3,540.  Assisted RAF veteran’s widow to arrange funeral and wake. Funeral notified to Legion Scotland and RAF Association resulted in a colour party, piper and bugler from Legion Scotlans and RAFA provided flag and accoutrements. Also SSAFA assited with £2,275 towards costs. Ongoing support in claiming benefits.  Army veteran needed repairs done to his stairs. Visit with SSAFA case worker found that bannister was unsafe and carpet worn and holed. Carper replaced, bannister repaired and hall redecorated. In addition new bed and bedding bought. Total value just under £3,000  Divorced dependant with mental health issues successfully moved to new accommodation where she is very happy with her own garden and space for her daughters to visit. She said looking out her window at the snow was like being in Narnia. “… it has all been brilliant, who would have believed it this time last year!?! Thanks so much for all your kindness and support and help. I was thinking about you this morning talking about your Grandchildren, I can see into the future now in a way that I couldn't when I first met you and am looking forward to hopefully having Grandchildren here one day!  NHS referred an army veteran suffering from dementia and alzheimers who could not remember his name and address but had an army tattoo on his arm. During a chat with RSO about his army days he suddenly remembered his army number and from this we traced his name and address. His family were delighted. Client Status Number of ASAP: Army - dependant/carer of ex-serving 11 ASAP: Army - dependant/carer of serving 2 ASAP: Army - ex-serving 72 ASAP: Army - serving 5 ASAP: Royal Air Force - dependant/carer of ex-serving 2 ASAP: Royal Air Force - ex-serving 2 ASAP: Royal Auxiliary Air Force - ex-serving 1 ASAP: Royal Navy - dependant/carer of serving 1 ASAP: Royal Navy - ex-serving 3 ASAP: Royal Navy - serving 1 ASAP: Territorial Army - dependent/carer of ex-serving 2 ASAP: Territorial Army - ex-serving 7 ASAP: Territorial Army - serving 2