Webchat is the new Black

Citizens Advice Torfaen welcomes some new advice staff

We are pleased to announce that following a competitive recruitment process the  internally advertised position of Generalist Adviser has  been offered to Sophie Hall and Sue Roberts as a job share.

   

The position will be mainly working from outreach on our Communities First  project. Both start week commencing Mon 17th Aug, Sophie on the Monday and Sue on the Wednesday.

   

Both position are fixed term for 9 months whilst Natalie is seconded to the Energy  Best Deal xtra Energy Efficiency Wales (EBDxEEW)  project.

I would like to welcome them both aboard the paid staff team and I am sure you will  all make them feel very welcome. 

Great work on the webchat

It seems that Torfaen has really taken to advice by webchat. In July our generalist advice webchat team had 271 advice 'chats' while the Debt webchat team exceeded their target by 20% with 113 chats, the highest in the delivery group and also achieved the second highest satisfaction rating from clients at 91%. well done to everyone involved.

Anyone wanting to learn how to do advice by webchat should speak to Dave Roberts. It is popular because advisers can pick up some webchats if the bureau is quiet for any reason.

TCAB Twitter Czar required

If you are good with twitter and would like to develop our twitter presence please come and talk to Mal or email mal.edgson@torfaencab.org.uk  or tweet @torfaencab

Next Team Meeting

Wednesday 16th September featuring 'An introduction to Welfare Benefits' and an introduction to our new Independent Financial Adviser and what he is able to offer clients.

New services, New people

Financial Advice

From September Citizens Advice Torfaen will be able to offer financial advice under a new program called MoneyPlan. Under MoneyPlan a qualified financial adviser will offer services as a volunteer. Clients can be referred to this service on a fortnightly basis initially.

Pensions changes to criteria

Please note that Pensionwise is now available to clients aged 50 or over and not 55 as previously

Energy Efficient Homes

Citizens Advice Torfaen have secured funding to offer clients advice on grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Natalie Hopkins will lead on this project which will advice 120 clients between now and the end of March. The project is also funded for home visits. This project is in addition to the Energy Best Deal project which advises on supplier switching.

Introduction to benefits for volunteer advisers

Our next Team Meeting (Wed 16 September) will feature a full session on an introduction to welfare benefits. This will be ideal training for advice volunteers and other staff wanting to know more. The session will be led by our Lead Benefits caseworker, Lesley Cave.

Operations Manager

Samantha Greenland has accepted our new post of Operations Manager. Sam comes to us with a background in trading standards where she has been a Trading Standards Officer in Blaenau Gwent, a Regional Officer for the Welsh Local Government Association and most recently a Project Support Officer for the All Wales Academy Project.

Sam will be key to the next phase of development for the Bureau, supporting both the operational delivery of our client service and the development of new funding streams. Sam's first day in the Bureau will be Thu 10th September. The position is pert time.

New starters

This week we welcome Martha Smith-Higgins and Francesca Breet

New on the Advice Rota : Justine George, Jade Ngai and Cynthia King

There are a number of adviser courses coming up as follows, please see David Roberts if you are interested.

15^th and 16^th September - Bristol

22^nd and 23^rd September - Birmingham

7^th and 8^th October – Cardiff

This Blog is prepared for the staff and volunteers of Citizens Advice Torfaen