John Healey visits new Citizens Advice outreach in Conisbrough

Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP, John Healey, spoke with the Operations Manager and Advisor from Citizens Advice (CA) Doncaster about the vital work they do in the community.

John visited Conisbrough Practice Group where he spoke with local residents that have used the new outreach support service, called Advice On Prescription, which the South Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board have funded to enable CA to work in partnership with Primary Care Doncaster in local GP surgeries.

Members of the community are able to speak face to face with a local advisor about their problems and concerns.

John said: “The Advice On Prescription project at Conisbrough Practice is a great way for Doncaster Citizens Advice to connect with those in the community that need help and support.

“Often people aren’t sure where to turn to when they encounter difficulties with things like debt, benefits or housing and visiting a GPs surgery is a way for the service to connect with those in the community that need guidance and help.

“It’s important that people are aware of the services that Citizens Advice Doncaster can provide and it was good to see how well the new outreach scheme is working.”

Last year staff at CA Doncaster helped 9,661 local people with 35,497 issues, generating £12.8 million in financial gains for clients.

Emma Burdon, CA Doncaster’s Operations Manager, said: “People come to us with all sorts of issues, but debt, benefits and housing problems continue to be our clients’ main concerns.

“The outreach support scheme puts us in the heart of communities and help us to raise awareness of our services and increase accessibility to our advice.

“Through the programme we’re able to build stronger relationships locally and offer flexibility so people can speak with us in different local settings.”

You can find out more about CAB Doncaster online at www.cadoncasterborough.org or by calling 01302 243057.