Newsletter
Universal Credit and Free School Meals
The Universal Credit debate is hotting up as we move closer to the full implementation of this new system. The Children’s Society have raised concerns that the changes made to eligibility to “Free School Meals” will actually counter the ethos of the new system. Universal Credit is designed to streamline benefits and make working “always” the better option for people. BBC Radio 4 aired these concerns and presented the Society’s claim that an income gap will occur and that some families who enter the job market will actually be worse off. The loss of free school meals will mean that working actually “doesn’t pay” and that some children will go without their only hot meal of the day. As advisers at Birmingham Settlement we’ve always factored in “Free School Meals” and the cost of travel to and from work when we assess benefits for our clients. You can see the full article here.
Tash talks!
We’re delighted that one of our expert money advisers, Tash Ramrous, just keeps getting invited back as a guest on Radio WM! Every month Tash is doing a special programme about money issues where she’s taking the calls of Midlands listeners. Tash has decades of experience in providing specialist debt and welfare benefits advice so tune in if you want to get useful, independent info about this issue. Tash is part of a team of money advisers here at the Settlement so you can always stop by in person to get some guidance about debt or welfare benefits. We’re open week days between 09:30am-4:30pm and all of our advisers have a lots of specialist knowledge and experience so there’s not much we can’t help resolve!
Celebrating International Women’s Day
On Saturday, we had a fantastic time celebrating International Women’s Day at King Edward’s School in Handsworth. Our stand was right next to the cakes but we were meeting so many great people that we managed to avoid temptation! Good to see city representation from the Lord Mayor and Cllr Sue Anderson stopped by our stand to say hello as well. We felt very honoured to be part of such an inspirational day with other organisations such as Aquarius, the Samaritans, Christian Aid, Enta, Midland Heart and many others. To finish the day off on a high we bumped into Janet, a former money advice client. Janet introduced herself by saying “Birmingham Settlement saved my life” – high praise indeed! Check out the video below to hear Janet’s amazing story about overcoming adversity; it’s a wonderful reflection of the strength of women in today’s society.
Keeping houses warm with Stay Warm, Stay Well.
Stay Warm, Stay Well is a project about keeping warm and healthy during the colder months. Birmingham Settlement will be working on this project in partnership with Birmingham City Council until 31st March 2012. If you need help with keeping your house warm please get in contact with us for free advice and support. We can complete a check of your entitlement to receive benefit and help you to find ways to reduce your energy bills. There are a number of grants available to help you make your energy payments. If you’re interested please call reception at our Alma House office on 0121 250 3000.
Playing Games with Greenhat Interactive
Yesterday we were getting geared up for working with an innovative social enterprise called Greenhat Interactive. They’re working on lots of exciting projects that help people overcome barriers . We’re currently working with them to look at some unique ways that we can offer financial capability support to some of our most vulnerable clients. The idea is to use serious games to help people build their confidence when dealing with various financial situations from budgeting to supermarket shopping. The project will be going live shortly thanks to a grant from the Money Advice Trust so watch this space for some stories about how service users are getting on with the software!
Make do and Mend with Women & Theatre
We’re joining forces with Women & Theatre on 29th February to perform a unique piece of community theatre full of fantastic stories and tips, all designed to help people make their money go further.
As a charity, debt management is something at the very heart of our work so the 29th is planned as an Open Day, featuring money surgeries and advice, as well as a chance for potential volunteers to visit and find out more about what we do. It will then culminate in the performance, entitled ‘Make, Do & Mend.’
Make, Do & Mend is a project Women & Theatre have been developing across Birmingham over the last 5 months. The company has been researching with a variety of community groups to understand the issues people face, and collect advice and information to resolve any problems. They have had informal sessions and conversations, as well as running a series of intergenerational workshops to develop the project. The performances have been designed so that community members can join the company in the morning to be ‘reheased into’ the performance to share with audiences in the afternoon. This will create an exciting mix of professional and community performers – a participation technique Women & Theatre have delivered successfully a number of times.
Terina Talbot, Women & Theatre’s Associate Director said; “We’ve been working for several months with community members, and it’s looking very exciting. With stories and songs, and contributions from all generations, ultimately, it’s a feel-good piece of theatre that everyone can enjoy. So if anybody wants to get involved, or needs debt advice, or simply a good afternoon out – we’d encourage them to get in touch.”
All activities will be happening from 11am at the Centre for the Aston Family, 359-361Witton Road, B6 6NS. For more information or to book free tickets to the performance (which starts at 1.15pm) call 0121 250 0777 or email info@bsettlement.org.uk