Experienced welfare rights advocate with extensive expertise in navigating welfare systems and advocating for claimant support. Compassionate approach and effective networking capabilities, ensuring accurate benefits assessment and thorough understanding of disability rights, universal credit, and tax credit administration. Proficient in handling official correspondence, casework management, and maintaining confidentiality. Adept at managing case files and representing clients in tribunals. Committed to professional integrity and resilient in the face of challenges.
Currently do outreach surgeries in outlying villages and home visits to those who have barriers accessing our services.
Great advocate for Social Policy which we collate at Citizens Advice Scotland, helping shape legislation and change for our communities.
Take benefit cases to the Upper Tribunal if warranted. Managed to get case law established with reference to mobility in Personal Independence Payment during my time here in Coatbridge CAB.
Providing benefit and debt advice to the local community. Liaising with other bodies to access the best debt solutions.
Representation for clients at appeal hearings.
Doing outreach surgeries, to the local villages, delivering general and specialist advice.
I volunteered for Citizens Advice Bureau in 1998 - 2000 whereupon I gained my SVQ level 3 in Advice Giving. I also achieved my Assessors qualification (D32/33) which meant I could assist other candidates through their SVQ.
Around 2013 I became a member of the Children's Panel. I only managed to volunteer for this for about 4 years due to family issues and work pressure. It was a very demanding role that i took very seriously.
I have spent the last 20 years being the volunteer representative on the Board of Coatbridge CAB.
I was also part of the volunteer Board, which set up another Community Group, for a few years (Cliftonville & Coatdyke Community Group).
I've enjoyed my various roles and the people I met along the way.