Welcome to the website of Tynedale Citizens Advice Bureau

Tynedale CAB is INDEPENDENT and provides FREE, CONFIDENTIAL and IMPARTIAL advice to everyone regardless of race, sex, disability or sexuality.

The CAB Service aims to ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.

It equally aims to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

History

Tynedale Citizen's Advice Bureau is a registered charity which started life 1975 with one office in Hexham, apart time organiser and a handful of volunteer advisers who lived in the area. During its first year in operation it dealt with 1128 enquiries.

Today

Now we deal with over 7000 enquiries a year that represent a significant proportion of the Tynedale population. The enquiries are increasingly complex and often require lengthy correspondence and negotiation. Cases have been taken as far as the Commissioner.

We deliver our service from 9 different locations in Tynedale, ranging from offices in Hexham, Haltwhistle and Prudhoe to sessions in 6 rural GP practices. This partnership with GP surgeries and medical centres was pioneered in Tynedale and copied elsewhere in England.

Service

Our main areas of advice and support cover Social Security Benefits, Debt, Consumer, Employment, Housing and Relationship. We do not always know the outcome in many cases but we do know that last year we gained over £.25million on behalf of clients following successful applications, appeals, refunds and advocacy.

Organisation

The Bureau is run by a Management Committee. The committee is made up of local members who act as Trustees. Local town and district councillors along with staff and volunteer adviser representatives are on the committee as observer/advisers. The day- to-day management of the Bureau is delegated to a part time manager supported by other part time paid staff. Most of the advisers are unpaid.

Financial

Contrary to popular belief the Bureau is not funded by Central Government. Local District, Town and Parish Councils are generous with their support. Other funding comes from charitable trust usually to fund specific projects. Organisations that have helped us are listed in the thank you section.