What Chap Do...
CHAP Mission Statement
We offer free, constructive, and impartial resources for anyone facing housing, welfare rights or debt issues.
Recognising that life’s challenges arise through a wide range of factors, we strive to restore hope and self-determination.
We work closely with individuals to ensure they are not disadvantaged through a lack of knowledge or awareness of their rights.
We are effective partners and community champions.
Our Values
- We are good listeners and we give people a voice.
- We are compassionate and respectful.
- We care about our colleagues and our communities.
- We are determined and fight hard for rights and wellbeing.
- We are passionate about delivering individual and community benefits.
- We are empathetic and actively reject any stigma attached to money, or the many other factors involved in economic and social exclusion.
Our Vision
At an individual level, we seek to improve hope and wellbeing.
Our dream is to create community hubs to facilitate the sharing of knowhow and assets; coming together to share knowledge and skills; providing opportunities for everyone across the community to learn, contribute and raise local and personal aspirations.
For this we need extensive co-operation - we’re actively working on that.
We also need to secure public and private sector backing.
We’re working on that too.
Housing Advocacy
The aim of the service is to provide free, confidential advice, information and advocacy support on housing and housing related issues to individuals across North Ayrshire who are experiencing issues with tenancy matters, including those who are homeless or may be about to become homeless. The service adopts either a pro-active role to preventing homelessness or a re-active role by linking people into appropriate services.
The service empowers individuals to have their views and opinions heard by the decision makers and overcomes the barriers of literacy and communication difficulties. Housing Advocates support individuals to have a say in housing matters which affect their lives.
Education Service
Education staff enter the classrooms to provide information on homelessness and housing issues to senior pupils in secondary schools throughout North Ayrshire. Education workshops are also provided to young people participating in youth training groups and alternative curriculum groups throughout North Ayrshire.
AHAP
AHAP (Ayrshire Homelessness & Prevention services) is a partnership with Govan Law Centre. The service, which covers the whole of Ayrshire, is available free to homeowners who are facing the threat of repossession from their mortgage lender.
Welfare Rights Advice
The service, which is for individuals living within North Ayrshire, provides free assistance and support for benefit related issues.
Money Advice
The service, which is for individuals living within North Ayrshire, provides free assistance and support for people who have multiple and/or complex debt issues.
A Review of 2023
1,503
Individuals referred to CHAP services, including ‘enquiries’*.
1,165
Of those referred required direct support from our advisers and were offered an appointment.
338
Of those who contacted us or were referred only needed some light-touch advice or information over the phone or were signposted to a relevant service.
301
Of clients who booked an appointment, failed to attend.
£2,822,262
The total financial gains achieved for clients in 2023.
£69,957
Total amount of debt written off.
98%
of clients rated our service as either ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.
99%
Felt comfortable and at ease with staff.
2023 has been a record year for the team here at CHAP, in terms of the demand for our services - evidenced by the 1,503 individuals who have been referred to us. The results we have achieved for our clients this year have also reached a record high, totalling £2,882,262.
Putting this money into the pockets of our clients not only helps to improve the persons’ financial situation, but the overall support we provide helps in so many other ways. The majority of our clients said that our services helped to reduce their stress (76%) and improve their finances (66%). Various clients also said that our services had a positive impact on their confidence, health, education, employment, improving their social circle and activities, and with their general overall quality of life.
Below is the breakdown of the issues our clients needed support with this year. (some clients needed help with various issues).
Housing: 368
Rent Arrears - 60
Private Let Issues - 39
Homelessness (inc. homeless appeals and evictions) - 60
General Housing Options - 43
Housing Applications - 53
Housing Offer Appeals - 15
Court Representation - 17
Housing Costs - 11
Disrepairs - 53
Mortgage / Secured Loans - 17
Welfare Rights: 625
General Benefit Advice/Income Maximisation/Applications - 516
PIP Disputes/Appeals - 20
ESA Disputes/Appeals - 3
UC Disputes/Appeals - 30
Tax Credit Disputes - 1
General Benefits Disputes - 4
Scottish Welfare Fund Disputes - 2
Benefit Sanction Disputes - 1
Child Disability Payment Disputes/Appeals - 1
Adult Disability Payment Disputes/Appeals - 47
Debt: 300
Council Tax Arrears - 99
Other Unsecured Debts - 201