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.
Our Commitment to Fair Work First
At CHAP, we are fully committed to advancing the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First criteria, including the Real Living Wage and effective voice conditions, ensuring that our workplace promotes fair, inclusive, and sustainable employment practices. We believe that fair work enhances the wellbeing of our staff, strengthens our services, and ultimately improves outcomes for the individuals and communities we support.
As part of our commitment, we:
- Provide secure and stable employment by offering fair contracts and avoiding exploitative practices such as inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts.
- Ensure fair pay and conditions, demonstrated by our dual accreditation as a Living Wage and Living Hours employer.
- Support workplace development by investing in training, skills development, and career progression opportunities for staff.
- Promote workplace equality and diversity by fostering and inclusive culture where all employees are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of background.
- Encourage effective worker engagement by ensuring staff have a voice in decision-making processes and a safe, supportive working environment.
By embedding Fair Work principles into our organisation, we uphold our commitment to ethical employment practices and contribute to a more just and sustainable economy.
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 2025
2,055
Individuals referred to CHAP services (including enquiries).
1,389
Referrals required direct support from our advisers and were offered an appointment.
666
Number of people only needing light-touch advice or information over the phone or were signposted to a relevant service.
229
Number of clients who booked an appointment but failed to attend.
£4,278,651
The total financial gains achieved for clients in 2025.
£38,887
Total amount of debt written off.
99%
Percentage of clients rating our service as either 'Excellent', 'Very Good' or 'Good'. The other 1% rated us 'Average' - so no negative ratings were received.
100%
Percentage of clients who said they felt comfortable and at ease with our staff.
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.
Below is the breakdown of the issues our clients needed support with this year (some clients needed help with various issues).
Housing: 1,025
Rent Arrears - 97
Homelessness - 140
Private Sector - 78
Housing Security - 75
Statutory Tenancy Rights - 70
Rent / Council Tax - 33
Repair Issues - 37
Housing Options - 295
Eviction - 80
Anti-Social Behaviour - 19
Appeals (Homeless / Housing Offer) - 101
Welfare Rights: 1,607
Benefit Applications - 493
Universal Credit - 411 (inc. housing costs)
Health / Disability Related Benefits - 423
Benefit Disputes / Appeals - 107
Benefits for Children - 26
Understanding the Impact of Work on Benefits - 147
Debt: 408
Council Tax Arrears - 72
Other Unsecured Debts - 336