Letters to the Spalding Guardian editor – June 4, 2020

In neighbouring Wisbech they open every day of the year accept Christmas. Post crisis, why can’t we have a more user friendly service?

Rick Stringer

Sutton St James

Volunteers seeing almost as many people as normal

Citizens Advice in Spalding is celebrating its volunteers during National Volunteers week.

We have managed to help a high number of clients with advice since lockdown, despite moving completely to working on email, web chat and telephones.

We closed offices and outreaches back on March 18 but since March 24 a high proportion of volunteers have switched seamlessly to home working, and have dealt with 2,064 clients, covering 5,577 issues.

The number is approaching the level seen prior to lockdown, when there were more volunteers available.

However, the team now working have upped their hours to satisfy the current demand and are providing a much needed service at this time.

The type of issue on which people are seeking advice has changed, with less people asking for debt advice and housing, due to current Government policies in place, but more queries about Universal Credit, benefits other than UC, and employment, which now make up the top three enquiry categories.

There are currently 40 volunteers working at home throughout the area, with eight around Spalding, and over the whole area they are delivering around 86 individual sessions per week, totalling 277 hours.

In order to make the change, back in March, the management team assessed which volunteers needed help with equipment, which was provided where necessary, and a great deal of IT support was given to make all the changes.

Even though everyone is working from home, at every session there is support available for the volunteer advisors from two members of the supervision team.

Not only have the existing volunteers been willing to work more hours, and refresh their training online, new volunteers who joined the organisation in February have also been trained up online and are at the point of being signed off, when they will be able to start giving advice from home.

Anyone needing help with their problems can get advice now by following the links on the home page of the local website at www.citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk, where there is a direct link to email service on debt and budgeting, and also a direct link to enquire about Universal Credit.

Alternatively they can use Webchat and email via www.citizensadvice.org.uk

The Adviceline telephone service is being manned every day, on 03444 111444, and where possible calls will be routed to a local advisor.

The Migrant Worker Helpline is on 03448 476128.

The local Twitter and Facebook feeds are updated daily.

Since arriving here just three weeks ago, I have been really impressed by the dedication and commitment of all our volunteers.

They have been so responsive in really difficult times, ensuring that we continue to help people at a time of real crisis.

Giving their time has made a real difference to some of our most vulnerable people when they have needed it most. Thank you.

It is a timely celebration of volunteers this week, and the Citizens Advice team take their place among all the other volunteers doing such important and valued work in the community.

Simon Richards

Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire chief officer

I share excitement about benefit to town

I agree entirely with the Colas Rail report (new freight coming into Spalding) and I am excited about its benefits to Spalding.

I am a particular supporter of the rail system.

As a Whaplode parish councillor, I am concerned though at any suggestion of using the A 151 in getting the load to King’s Lynn.

This would have an impact on the residents of Whaplode – the only village not by-passed between Spalding and King’s Lynn.

The obvious solution is to totally use the A 16 and A 17, via Sutterton.

Hopefully, Lincolnshire County Council will consider this.

Bob Merchant

Whaplode

Students in the Suttons could get £400 grant

Applications are now being accepted for this year’s George Clarke Scholarship, which provides up to £400 per year towards higher education costs.

To qualify for consideration you must be under 25, you must live or have parents living within the parishes of Long Sutton or Sutton Bridge and be attending a course of higher education (level 4 or above) at university or college during the 2020/2021 academic year.

The closing date for applications is November 30.

For further information please email eddie.corrigan@lincolnshire.gov.uk or call 01522 552995.

Alternatively, you can write to: Eddie Corrigan, Treasury and Financial Strategy PDP6,

Lincolnshire County Council, 5th Floor, Orchard House, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YG.

Eddie Corrigan

Lincolnshire County Council

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Last week thousands in the UK were engaged in prayer and fasting up to Pentecost Sunday.

Some of my contacts have been circulating reminders of how the National Day of Prayer requested by King George VI caused a number of miracles to do with the weather and other things, including a storm grounding the Luftwaffe, a great calm in the English Channel, and hundreds of small boats turning up, leading to the successful rescue of 335,000 from the beaches around Dunkirk 80 years ago this month.

The King’s appeal led to millions queueing to enter cathedrals and churches, with some queues stretching over a quarter of a mile.

It has been known as the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’ ever since.

Sunday, June 9, was officially appointed as a ‘Day of National Thanksgiving’.

What influences (limits) your own thoughts and actions?

The oft depressing news? Are you actually without

realising it trapped in your own corner, ruled by habits and fears?

I believe the Holy Spirit is a gift to break you out of the prison you are in, connect you directly with your creator, help you see the bigger picture and how valuable and loved you are, and set you free.

Ian Walters

Vicar of Gosberton