Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau outreach project
An outreach project in the Borders has been thriving thanks to funding to support rural communities.
Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was established in 1979 as a registered charity and company operating in Galashiels. As a member of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), the CAB benefits from management and fundraising expertise, as well as additional support. The CAB offers free, impartial and confidential advice to citizens of the Scottish Borders on a range of subjects including benefits, consumer issues, immigration and workplace disputes. It also provides specialist services such as pension guidance, money advice, armed forces support, kinship care, patient advice and support service, and energy best deal schemes.
Project Overview
The Central Borders CAB Communities Project aimed to extend the CAB’s support services directly to rural communities within the areas of Lilliesleaf, Midlem, Ashkirk, Kirkhope, Ettrick and Yarrow, which fall within the Langhope Rig fund area.
The initiative was developed in response to feedback indicating that travel was a significant barrier for many residents seeking quality advice, particularly those already vulnerable due to job loss, low pay, disability, poor housing, and chronic illness.
The CAB sought £19,035 to fund this outreach project, which would enable the organisation to deliver advice surgeries in partnership with local village halls, food banks, warm spaces, schools and older people's clubs in areas including Ettrick, Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk, and Midlem.
Why was the project important to the Fund area
The Central Borders CAB Communities Project represented an important initiative that addressed access barriers to essential advice services across rural Scottish Borders communities.
By establishing outreach surgeries in Ettrick, Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk, and Midlem, the CAB effectively removed geographical and financial obstacles that prevented vulnerable individuals from accessing support.
The project responded directly to community feedback that travel costs and physical limitations were preventing those most affected by the pandemic and cost of living crisis - particularly individuals experiencing job loss, low pay, disability, poor housing, and chronic illness - from receiving crucial assistance.
Project Delivery
To deliver the project, the CAB needed to employ an Access and Support Officer who would work 20 hours per week and who would travel directly to scheduled locations, rather than operating from the main office in Galashiels.
The CAB’s approach was flexible, with services offered five days a week across various community venues. Each advice surgery session ran for two to three hours, with longer durations in more rural areas to accommodate demand.
Funding
The total project cost was just over £19,000. The CAB approached the Langhope Rig Fund with a clear plan in place to deliver the project over the course of a year. Following careful consideration, the decision making panel, made up of local residents and community members, agreed to award the total project cost.
Project Impact
Over the course of the year, the CAB has supported 227 individuals, with the majority coming from the Fund area through this outreach initiative. Services included benefits checks, exploration of state entitlements, action on benefits claims or outstanding debts, and identification and assessment of eligibility for grants and other one-off support. The project placed particular emphasis on supporting people with issues relating to energy costs or energy efficiency measures.
Collaborations and Sustainability
The CAB maintained collaborative partnerships with both statutory and third-sector agencies to facilitate signposting and raise awareness. Communication efforts included print, radio, and social media platforms, with posters and leaflets strategically placed to maximise visibility and outreach.
Prior to seeking funding, the CAB contacted existing community projects in each target area to assess current advice offerings. The plan was to integrate with existing services and introduce new outreach initiatives where services were lacking. The CAB had strong working relationships with the Scottish Borders Council and actively participated in key groups such as the Scottish Disability Strategy Group, the Scottish Borders Early Years Financial Inclusion Group and the Universal Credit Operational Delivery Group.
Conclusion
The Central Borders CAB Communities Project addressed a critical need for accessible advice services in rural communities. By breaking down geographical barriers, they helped support local individuals with financial knowledge, provided targeted support for those in financial distress, and ultimately contributed to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering economic resilience in the Scottish Borders region.
This project provides a clear example of how funding salary costs can enable the delivery of impactful outreach programmes, bringing essential services directly to vulnerable populations who would otherwise remain isolated from support. It also demonstrates how investing in skilled personnel - rather than just facilities or resources - can create sustainable pathways to financial wellbeing for those most affected by economic hardship in remote areas.
Read more about the Langhope Rig Community Benefit Fund