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Issue - meetings

Grant Funded Agency

Meeting: 25/06/2019 - Community Policy Development Group (Item 8)

Grant Funded Agency

To receive a presentation and overview of the work of CHAT.

Minutes:

Alison Padfield (Manager) from CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) gave an overview by way of presentation on the work of the organisation. She explained that the organisation had been established for 24 years, had a team of 10 staff with 20 volunteers and worked across the whole of Mid Devon.  She outlined the areas that the organisation focussed on which was primarily tenancy support, housing advice and debt and money advice. 

 

Emergency help was provided for those in need which included:

 

·         The foodbank, which was generously supported by the local community and referrals were made to the organisation from outside agencies which included Social Services, AGE UK, Citizens Advice, GP’s , the job centre and schools.

·         Hardship – mobile phones, home start up kits, travel and tents were made available

·         The Fuel Poverty Fund – £2045 had been granted

·         A warm welcome – the use of showers, clothes washing facilities and somewhere safe to be

 

She outlined the number of clients in the previous year and the general statistics available, the work of the volunteers, the fund raising that had taken place and the plans for the future.

 

Discussion took place regarding:

 

·         The grant funding supplied by the District Council

·         The impact of Universal Credit

·         The work taking place in rural areas and how Councillors could raise awareness of the organisation

·         How much the service was welcomed and the good work that it did

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Padfield for her attendance.