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Households across Ayrshire are facing yet another rise in council tax this year as local authorities set their budgets for 2026/27. Recent announcements show that: North Ayrshire Council has confirmed an 8.5% rise after reducing an originally proposed 12% increase. East Ayrshire Council has agreed on 6.9% - the lowest increase among the Ayrshire councils so far. South Ayrshire Council meets on Thursday, March 5 to finalise its 2026/27 budget. These rises reflect the tough financial pressures councils are under to maintain services like bin collections, care, roads and schools - but for many families and individuals they’re yet another squeeze on already tight household budgets. Could You Reduce Your Council Tax Bill? A higher bill doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay the full amount. In Scotland, there are a range of reductions, discounts, and exemptions that can significantly reduce what you owe - or in some cases mean you don’t need to pay at all: 1. Council Tax Reduction (CTR) for Low Income Households If you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits, you could get help under your council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme. The amount you get depends on your income, savings and circumstances - but many households receive substantial support. 2. Single Occupancy Discount If you’re the only adult (18 or over) living in your home, you’re usually entitled to a 25% discount on your council tax bill. 3. Exemptions and Other Discounts There are numerous other ways to pay less, including: Students or student households, who may be exempt altogether. People with a disability, through a disabled band reduction. Care leavers, carers, under-18s, and those with severely mentally impaired status. Empty or second homes, which may qualify for special discounts or different charges. The rules around these vary a bit from council to council, and you usually need to claim these discounts as they aren’t always applied automatically. How CHAP Can Help It’s easy to miss out on help you’re entitled to, especially when rules can be confusing and councils often have differing eligibility criteria. To help you, our advisers can: Check whether you are eligible for any reductions, discounts, or exemptions. Assist with filling in application forms correctly. Advise you on how to appeal if your local council turns you down. Help with a debt repayment plan if you have council tax arrears. Get in touch with CHAP to arrange an appointment with one of our qualified advisers to check your eligibility and talk you through options that might apply to your circumstances. Call Freephone 030 0002 0002 Whether you’re on a low income, living alone, a student, a carer or just unsure about your council tax bill, please get in touch. We’re here to help, and all our services are free, independent and confidential.

Gambling is often talked about in financial terms - wins, losses, debt, and bills. But for many people, the impact of gambling goes far beyond money. Across Ayrshire, individuals and families can experience gambling-related harm that affects their mental wellbeing, relationships, and sense of stability. Financial pressure is frequently only one part of a much wider picture. Gambling harm can be linked with: Growing debt and difficulty keeping up with bills Rent arrears or concerns about housing security Stress, anxiety, and low mood Sleep disruption and day-to-day functioning Strain on family and personal relationships In some cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide For some, these pressures can become overwhelming. Feelings of shame, secrecy, or being 'trapped' often prevent people from speaking openly or seeking support early. Importantly, gambling harm does not have a single 'type' of person. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Why We’re Exploring Gambling Harm in Ayrshire As part of a short-term exploratory project, CHAP is working to better understand how gambling harm is experienced within Ayrshire communities - particularly where financial stress, housing insecurity, and mental health challenges overlap. While national research highlights strong links between gambling difficulties, debt, and emotional distress, local insights are limited. Hearing directly from people with lived experience (including the impact on mental health and thoughts of suicide) is essential if services are to respond effectively and compassionately. Do Any of These Feel Familiar? Gambling-related harm can develop gradually and may not always be immediately obvious. Some common experiences include: Gambling more frequently or spending more than intended Trying to recover losses by continuing to gamble Hiding gambling from family or friends Borrowing money or relying on credit Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or preoccupied with money Feeling stuck, hopeless, or under significant pressure Experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide These experiences are more common than many people realise, but support is available. Share Your Experience Anonymously To help us build a clearer picture of local needs, we’re inviting people across Ayrshire who have been affected by gambling to complete a short, anonymous questionnaire. The survey is designed to: Better understand how gambling harm is impacting people locally Identify gaps in support and barriers to seeking help Inform future services and prevention work Participation only takes a couple of minutes and is completely anonymous. You can take part by clicking here . Support Is Available If gambling is affecting your finances, housing, or wellbeing - including causing distress or thoughts of self-harm - you can speak to CHAP for free, confidential, and non-judgemental advice. We can help with issues such as: Debt and financial difficulties Rent arrears and housing concerns Benefit checks and income maximisation Budgeting and financial stability 📞 Call Freephone 030 0002 0002 Specialist gambling support is also available via the GamCare National Gambling Helpline: 📞 0808 8020 133 (24/7) 🌐 www.gamcare.org.uk If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed If gambling, debt, or related pressures are affecting your mental health, you are not alone. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, immediate support is available: Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7) NHS 24 - 111 Mental Health Hub In an emergency, call 999 Gambling harm can affect anyone. Reaching out early can prevent issues from escalating and is a sign of strength, not failure.

You may have seen that recent UK news coverage (including a report highlighted by The Big Issue), has once again shone a light on the strong and damaging link between mental health problems and financial hardship. New research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, founded and chaired by TV's 'money expert' Martin Lewis, shows that more than half of people with mental health problems regularly run out of money, often struggling to cover essential living costs. Crucially, the research also reveals that many people who could be helped by income maximisation services - support that helps people access benefits, grants and discounts they are entitled to - are missing out entirely. Income Maximisation: A Vital but Overlooked Lifeline As highlighted by Helen Undy, Chief Executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, income maximisation services can be a critical lifeline for people facing financial difficulty. Yet many people have never heard of them, and access to these services is far from equal. The Institute’s research, supported by Barclays, found that income maximisation services are: Overstretched and inconsistently provided across the country Often poorly suited to people with complex needs, including those experiencing mental health difficulties Frequently limited to online tools, rather than personalised support While online benefits calculators can be extremely helpful, they are not always accessible for people dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges. For many, navigating forms, understanding entitlements and following up claims requires tailored, adviser-led support - something that is simply not available in too many areas. A Postcode Lottery of Support Where someone lives can still determine whether they get meaningful help. The research shows that access to adviser-led income maximisation support varies widely, creating a postcode lottery that leaves many people without the assistance they need. At a recent roundtable launch event in the UK Parliament, policy experts, commissioners and parliamentarians came together to discuss how income maximisation services could be reformed. The event also heard from Rob, an “expert by experience”, who shared how difficult it was to access appropriate support while struggling with his mental health. His testimony underlined just how important it is that services are designed to be truly accessible, compassionate and responsive. Why This Matters for Mental Health Financial stress and mental health problems often reinforce each other. Struggling to make ends meet can worsen anxiety and low mood, while mental health challenges can make it harder to manage money, engage with services or ask for help. Without early and accessible support, people can quickly find themselves in crisis. That’s why the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute is calling on government, commissioners and banks to take action to ensure income maximisation support is available to everyone who needs it - regardless of mental health or location. CHAP Can Help At CHAP, we see these challenges every day. Many of the people who come to us for housing, welfare rights or money advice are also managing mental health difficulties that make dealing with complex systems feel overwhelming. Our fully qualified advisers know that accessing the right benefits, grants or financial support can be life-changing - easing immediate pressure and giving people the breathing space they need to focus on their wellbeing. But as this research shows, too many people are still missing out because support is patchy, hard to access or not designed with mental health in mind. We strongly support calls for better-funded, joined-up and adviser-led income maximisation services. By recognising the clear link between money and mental health, and by investing in accessible support, we can help prevent people from reaching crisis point and ensure no one is left to struggle alone. Get Support If you’re struggling with money, worried about debt, or finding it hard to cope because of financial stress, you don’t have to face it alone. CHAP offers free, confidential and independent advice on welfare benefits, money and debt, housing issues and income maximisation. Our advisers can help you check what you’re entitled to, explore your options and find a way forward at a pace that feels right for you. If you’re supporting someone else and are unsure where to turn, we’re here for you too. Get in touch with CHAP today to speak to an adviser or find out more about our services. Freephone 030 0002 0002

2025 has been another extremely busy year for the team at CHAP, with demand for our services continuing to rise. Over the past year, 2,055 individuals were referred to us for support, highlighting just how vital our services remain within the communities we serve. Alongside this increased demand, the outcomes we have achieved for our clients have reached a record high. In 2025, we secured more than £4.27 million for the people we support - an increase of £1 million compared to our achievements in 2024. This vital income has made a real and lasting difference to the lives of many individuals and families. While the financial impact is significant, the support we provide goes far beyond money alone. Many clients told us that accessing CHAP’s services helped to reduce their stress levels, with 68% reporting a noticeable improvement. Others shared how our support positively influenced their confidence, health, education and employment prospects, as well as helping them to build stronger social connections and enjoy a better overall quality of life.

CHAP is very pleased to announce an exciting partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction that aims to equip secondary school pupils with the financial skills needed to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and into adulthood. Established in 2005, CHAP’s education department has long played a vital role in raising awareness of the realities of homelessness, challenging stereotypes, and highlighting the responsibilities and costs related to independent living to S4 pupils across North Ayrshire. In 2015, this work expanded to include financial education workshops, supporting young people to better understand budgeting, credit rating, saving, and wider money management. Thanks to funding from The Robertson Trust, another milestone was reached earlier in 2025 by extending Life Skills and financial education sessions into S1 - S3 classrooms, giving younger pupils the opportunity to develop good financial habits early and strengthen their money confidence. Morgan Sindall Construction delivers a wide range of major construction projects across the UK including primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. As part of the Morgan Sindall Group, they are committed to making a positive difference within the communities they work in as part of their responsible business plan. One such project is the new Dumfries High School that is currently under construction and scheduled to open in late Spring 2026. To complement and support their investment in apprenticeships and the young workforce, Morgan Sindall Construction has funded CHAP to engage with pupils at the existing Dumfries High School, St Joseph’s College, North West Community Campus, and Dumfries Academy to deliver a comprehensive programme of financial literacy sessions. These interactive sessions cover essential money skills including budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and the real-life cost of everyday living. Feedback from both staff and pupils has been extremely positive, with CHAP already seeing strong engagement and enthusiasm from the young people taking part. Robin Ballantyne, Senior Education Officer at CHAP, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Morgan Sindall Construction on this important initiative. Giving young people the tools and confidence to manage their money is vital, particularly as they prepare for life beyond school. This partnership allows us to reach new communities and build long-term impact while Morgan Sindall delivers transformational educational facilities across the region.” Elizabeth Halliday, Head of Responsible Business (Scotland) at Morgan Sindall Construction said: “Creating long-term value for communities goes hand in hand with the schools we build. Partnering with CHAP helps us strengthen our social value commitments by offering young people meaningful skills that will support them into adulthood and the workplace.” This partnership reflects a shared ambition to improve outcomes for people living in the communities served by both parties. By working together, CHAP and Morgan Sindall Construction are laying the foundations for long-term support for young people to gain confidence in their financial and everyday life skills. For more information about Morgan Sindall Construction, please visit: www.morgansindallconstruction.com

November 27th marked a proud and memorable milestone for CHAP as we celebrated our 25th anniversary with a special event at the Scottish Parliament. Our event, entitled 'Transforming Lives - resilience & equity for all', was hosted at Holyrood and provided a unique opportunity to celebrate and reflect on a quarter-century of providing free, independent advice and support to individuals and families in need across Ayrshire. The event brought together partners, funders, MSPs, staff and trustees, creating valuable space for meaningful conversations about the ongoing challenges faced by those experiencing housing, debt and financial insecurity. Throughout the afternoon, guests took the time to speak with our team, learn more about our services and share ideas on how we can continue working together to support communities and prevent people from reaching crisis point. The event was sponsored by Kenneth Gibson MSP, whose ongoing support for CHAP has been invaluable. Kenneth welcomed guests and helped create an open, positive atmosphere that encouraged discussion and connection, reinforcing the importance of partnership working in addressing complex social issues affecting our communities. We were delighted to be joined by Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, who kindly said a few words recognising CHAP’s achievements, professionalism and the breadth of services we provide. Her comments highlighted the importance of early intervention and acknowledged how closely our work aligns with the Scottish Government’s priorities to tackle the housing crisis, reduce poverty and improve outcomes for families across Scotland. Hearing this recognition at a national level was both encouraging and affirming for our team. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Kenneth Gibson MSP and Màiri McAllan MSP, as well as all our partners and funders who took the time to join us and celebrate this important milestone. Your engagement, support and shared commitment to help tackle inequality and financial exclusion mean a great deal to our charity. We are also extremely grateful to the businesses who generously sponsored key elements of the event: TES-AMM (Europe) Ltd for the catering, Branding Hub Ayr for providing printed materials, and Stagecoach West Scotland for supplying a complimentary coach and driver to transport our staff and guests from Ardrossan to Edinburgh and back safely and in comfort. The event was a privilege and a real highlight in CHAP’s 25-year history and a reminder of the strength of the partnerships that make our work possible. As we look ahead, we remain committed to growing, adapting, and continuing to support as many individuals and families as we can - and we look forward to the next exciting chapter of our journey. A video of highlights from the event can be viewed on our YouTube channel here .

CHAP is pleased to announce that, thanks to funding from the East Ayrshire Anti-Poverty & Inequalities Fund, it has been able to establish a network of outreach services in East Ayrshire. In addition to our current outreach based at CentreStage in Kilmarnock, we have now expanded our support service to cover the Cumnock, Dalmellington and Newmilns areas. To ensure our services remain accessible and shaped by local residents, we ran an online consultation - with the results allowing us to identify the locations where residents are most likely to face barriers when accessing support. We have been fortunate in partnering with local organisations who are able to provide a safe space for our advisers to meet clients in need of a helping hand with housing issues, benefit entitlements and managing debt. The location details and dates for the expanded outreach service is provided below: Cumnock - Yipworld, 19 Barrhill Road, Cumnock KA18 1PG Starting from Wed 19th November, then the third Wed of each month (excl. December) Dalmellington - The Zone Initiative, 10 Main High Street, Dalmellington KA6 7QN Starting from Wed 3rd December, then the first Wed of each month (excl. January) Newmilns - Commando Factory Gym, 14 Stoneygate Road, Newmilns KA16 9AL Starting from Wed 26th November, then the fourth Wed of each month (excl. December) All CHAP services are free, independent, and confidential. Please note that these are not drop-in services - all appointments must be booked in advance by calling Freephone 030 0002 0002 .

This November marks a very special milestone for CHAP as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Reaching a quarter of a century is no small achievement, and we’re incredibly proud to have supported thousands of people across Ayrshire since 2000. Over the years, CHAP has grown from a small local advice project into a well-established and trusted charity providing free, independent and confidential advice on housing, debt, welfare rights. We’ve developed strong partnerships, expanded our services, and adapted to meet the changing needs of our communities. From helping individuals facing homelessness to delivering financial education in schools and supporting homeowners at risk of repossession through the AHAP service , our commitment has always been the same - to help people find stability, security, and confidence in difficult times. We’ve achieved so much along the way and worked alongside national and local partners to tackle poverty and promote financial wellbeing. Each step has been driven by our belief that everyone deserves a fair chance at a better quality of life, and our commitment remains to empower individuals and families to thrive. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and compassion of our team. To our incredible staff, board of trustees, volunteers, partners, funders and donors - thank you. Your continued support, passion, and belief in our mission have contributed to making CHAP what it is today. Of course, the landscape for third sector organisations remains uncertain. Many charities have not been as fortunate in reaching such a significant milestone. Funding is increasingly competitive, while the need for our services continues to grow as more households face financial strain and insecurity due to the current cost of living crisis and lack of affordable housing. Despite these challenges, we remain determined to continue delivering vital support to those who need it most, while working to secure our long-term sustainability. It’s been a challenging, but always rewarding, journey. As we celebrate 25 years of helping our community, we’re also looking ahead with optimism and determination - ready to face new challenges, strengthen key partnerships, and continue making a difference for the next 25 years and beyond.