CHAP: Ayrshire debt advice charity gets £45k council funding boost

The Three Towns Locality Partnership has teamed up with Ardrossan-based charity CHAP to secure the £45k from North Ayrshire Council’s Community Investment Fund (CIF).

CHAP has been providing free, independent advice and advocacy services relating to housing, welfare rights and debt issues for the last two decades.

The significant windfall will be used to allow the charity to provide financial outreach services and advice via the recruitment of a new community worker who will be based across three community-based locations in the Three Towns.

Debbie Alexander, CEO of the charity, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been successful in securing funding from the council’s Community Investment Fund.

"This will go a long way in helping those who are currently struggling more than ever due to the cost-of-living crisis.”

The need for an outreach worker was identified at a recent community engagement session to discuss the difficulties of the current cost-of-living crisis.

This is where the Three Towns Locality Partnership stepped in to help the team to prepare their CIF bid which was approved at a cabinet meeting last month.

CHAP's opening times (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

Debbie added: “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to extend a special thanks to the Three Towns Locality Partnership who prepared and presented our recent proposal to cabinet - their help has been instrumental and we’re now in the process of arranging appropriate venues to provide outreach services in to ensure that advice is accessible to individuals right across the Three Towns.

“As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, the funding really couldn’t have come at a better time.

"In a nutshell, our goal as a charity is to deliver a better standard of financial security for all and we have already seen first-hand that this raises the quality of life for the entire extended community.

“The funding boost is going to allow us to do just this. Once our outreach service begins in the Three Towns, we will be in a better position to embed our free and independent advocacy and advice services into areas where we are most needed, and to make sure that no one is left behind.”

Cllr Alan Hill (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities and islands, said: “Not everyone knows about their work and the assistance that CHAP can provide.

“The funding boost is going to help them to raise their profile even further and provide support to those who are currently struggling but are not sure of where to turn."