This is the sixth annual report of the Sandwell Advice Providers Network. Our overall aims are to improve the quality of advice in Sandwell by joining up services, sharing knowledge and information and working together to tackle poverty in Sandwell.
Annual Report April 2020 – March 2021
Introduction by Chair of Sandwell Advice Providers Network (SAPN)
This is the sixth annual report of the Sandwell Advice Providers Network. Our overall aims are to improve the quality of advice in Sandwell by joining up services, sharing knowledge and information and working together to tackle poverty in Sandwell. Inevitably 2020/21 was dominated by Covid-19 which has had an enormous impact on residents. Residents have had to cope with lockdown, furlough, job loss, reduced income – bringing huge financial uncertainty alongside very real health fears and the accelerated pace of the move to digital. Advice providers have continued to deliver advice throughout 2020/21 despite the challenges of remote working, changing delivery to phone and webchat, adapting buildings so that vulnerable clients can be seen face to face, difficulties in sourcing PPE and outdated IT infrastructure. I believe that we have emerged much more resilient, with flexible models of delivery, improved IT infrastructure and more tools to help clients to do more for themselves. I am immensely proud of the contribution that all advice providers have made to the well-being of some of the most vulnerable residents. A huge thank you for going the extra mile.
Shabud Ullah Chair October 2021
Role of the Sandwell Advice Providers Network (SAPN)
SAPN is a forum for collaboration and discussion about a very wide range of topics that relate to providing high quality, free advice in Sandwell about debt, welfare benefits, housing, immigration, consumer matters, employment and other issues. Training, referrals, social policy and information about changes in the law are discussed on a regular basis.
Over 18 independent advice providers belong to the network including: Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall, members of Sandwell Consortium, AgeUk, St Albans and the council’s welfare rights team. Meetings are chaired by Shabud Ullah from CBO and partners from other services are invited to ensure that links are made. Any organisation that provides free advice in Sandwell is able to attend network meetings and is able to access free training.
Most but not all members of SAPN receive funding from Sandwell Council specifically to enable them to deliver free advice on welfare benefits, debt, immigration, housing and other matters
Outputs delivered as a result of council funding
- The welfare rights team focus on benefits advice. All other agencies deliver advice on a range of topics including welfare rights, housing, debt, employment, consumer etc. Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall provide a specialist debt advice service and Brushstrokes specialises in immigration advice
- The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge negative impact on household income in Sandwell, with job losses, furlough, additional costs relating to the need to remain at home and increasing food prices
- People who were just about managing are now really struggling and have no resilience
- Food banks have seen unprecedented demand and as part of a number of initiatives to tackle poverty, Additional measures have been put in place such as Test and Trace payments, Covid grants, Winter grants, food parcels and advice workers have helped residents to access this support
- Covid – 19 accelerated the move to digital as face to face services closed. For some residents, those with access to the internet and digital skills, this has been positive. However, the gap has widened for our most vulnerable residents
- More of our residents have poor mental health, social isolation and money worries contributing to this
- Payment holidays has meant that fewer residents have had to access debt advice. However, when these holidays end residents will need help to deal with their debts • Looking forward, budgeting and employment support are increasingly important tools to help people to move out of poverty.