RYEDALE Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is seeing more and more clients in desperate circumstances, according to its annual report.

Advice service manager Ann Walsh said people were coming forward with no money for food or fuel because of delays in processing benefit claims or due to benefit cuts or sanctions.

She said: “This is one of the worst aspects of welfare reform and much of our time is spent issuing food bank vouchers, or helping clients to apply for assistance.

“We have advised and assisted many clients who have failed work capability assessments for Employment Support Allowance, resulting in appeals that can take up to 12 months to be heard, during which time extremely unwell clients have to survive on £72.40 per week.”

Ann, who was appointed advice service manager last August, said over the last year she had also overseen the move of Ryedale CAB from Community House in Wentworth Street, Malton, to Stanley Harrison House, near the railway station in the town.

She said: “Staff and volunteers worked really hard, packing up boxes and setting up the new offices and now we are well established in our new home.

“We now have a brand new case recording system and we have taken on several new volunteers. Ann added: “I am proud to work for Ryedale CAB and thank all their volunteers for their hard work, dedication and commitment.”

The annual report indicates challenges ahead for the bureau with a focus on fundraising efforts to secure the means to deliver services to older, sick and disabled people.

Ryedale CAB manager Sue Bywater said the service, which is 35 years old this year, remained dependent as ever on the input of volunteers without whom the service could not operate.

She said: “Work in a CAB does not really change, despite technological and other advances. At its core are volunteers who give their time to assist others, who train extensively for the role and meet clients from all walks of life; who willingly assisting people experiencing an endless variety of problems, many of them distressed and confused.

“Our volunteers help to restore a sense of self-worth and dignity to our clients. Working alongside them every day is a pleasure and privilege for me and the rest of the paid staff. Thank you, volunteers.”

- Ryedale CAB’s annual general meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9, at 12.30pm at Stanley Harrison House, Norton Road, Norton. Following the meeting, refreshments will be available and there will be a tour of the new offices.

To attend, email ceo@ryedalecab.cabnet.org.uk or phone 01653 695542.