9 replies to this topic

[Michael]

Hello everyone

My name is Michael and I am a Money Advice Advisor at St. Helens Citizens Advice Bureau (based on the second floor of the Millennium Centre on Corporation Street.)

The Bureau is one of 14 organisations in the UK (and the only town) to receive funding from the British Gas Energy Trust to help clients make applications to the British Gas Energy Trust fund for a grant to clear their gas and electricity arrears if they are suffering financial hardship.

Applications can also be made for what is known as a 'Further Assistance Payment' which can include help purchasing essential household items such as a cooker, fridge-freezer or washing machine if the client is unable to purchase one themselves.

In cases of extreme hardship, grants may be considered for clearing Council Tax debts and paying funeral expenses.

If you or someone you know would benefit from assistance in making an application to the Trust fund, you can call me on the Bureau telephone number 01744 751380 to book an appointment. The service is free and confidential and we are an independent and impartial organisation.

Despite being a British Gas Trust fund, you do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply.

Further information about the Trust fund can be found on the website: http://www.britishga...gytrust.org.uk/

[Thumpa lumpa]

Welcome Cabbget could be very useful information to some of the members, hope you enjoy Connect

[Steve]

Too bloody right i'm shivering here cus I'm keeping my heating off so I can pay my arrears off.


I'll be in touch with you thanks for the info.

[Dave]

Good information, but it is in the registration TOS that people shouldn't join in the name of any organisation. I've deleted accounts for similar transgressions.

[Michael]

Thumpa lumpa, on 23 November 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

Welcome Cabbget could be very useful information to some of the members, hope you enjoy Connect

Thanks

[Dave]

CABBGET - sorry if I seemed a bit grumpy, but the rule about organisation or business names is because when people register as such they usually only do so for one particular reason - promotion of whichever cause and they are unlikely to join in any other community activity, like joining in in with any other sorts of topics but their own. The rule was made some time ago for the reasons I just mentioned. You're able to change your display name to something different if you'd like to be yourself, rather than a spokesperson for an organisation.

[Michael]

Dave, on 23 November 2011 - 09:35 PM, said:

CABBGET - sorry if I seemed a bit grumpy, but the rule about organisation or business names is because when people register as such they usually only do so for one particular reason - promotion of whichever cause and they are unlikely to join in any other community activity, like joining in in with any other sorts of topics but their own. The rule was made some time ago for the reasons I just mentioned. You're able to change your display name to something different if you'd like to be yourself, rather than a spokesperson for an organisation.

Thanks for the information. It's my fault, I didn't read the terms and conditions when I regisitered, I was on auto-pilot! I've changed the name now. The main reason I chose the organisation name is because I registered during working hours and we have a strict IT policy on using the computers for personal use so I wanted to make sure it was clear what I was doing was for work-related purposes.

Steve, on 23 November 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

Too bloody right i'm shivering here cus I'm keeping my heating off so I can pay my arrears off.


I'll be in touch with you thanks for the info.

You're welcome, I look forward to hearing from you.

Edited by Michael, 23 November 2011 - 09:46 PM.

[Dave]

Thanks Michael.

The Terms used to be displayed before registration, but, in their wisdom, the makers of the board software decided to hide them in a pop-up link. There are plenty other board admins who thought that this was a daft idea.

[leschip]

Crikey, this name changing thingy is confusing. I thought Thumpa had lost his marbles Sorry TL I should ne'er have doubted thee

[Michael]

I will be staffing a stand in the Hardshaw Shopping Centre Monday 16 January between 9 AM and 4 PM if anybody is interested in coming along to find out more about the services we provide. A representative from St. Helens Council' Affordable Warmth Unit will be in attendance from 10 AM onwards.

As part of 'Big Energy Week' the Bureau is also holding a late night drop in between 4 PM and 6 PM Tuesday 17 January at our office on the second floor of the Millennium Centre.

Recent successful applications include a client awarded a fridge-freezer and another client awarded £1000 + for their Gas arrears.