For over 80 years the Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau (ACAB) has been improving the lives of the people of Aberdeen and enabling them to take control of their own affairs. ACAB is a fully independent registered charity with its own Board of Directors/Trustees. The advice service offered is independent, holistic, free, confidential, effective, impartial and accessible to everybody.
Our clients are amongst the most deprived, vulnerable and socially marginalised people in our society, including older people, those with disabilities or on low/unstable incomes, those new to the benefits system, or with employment issues or who are being impacted by the current economic crisis. ACAB seeks to enable these clients to maximise their income and reduce outgoings in order to improve social equality and health. This includes offering advice on benefits, finances, housing, employment, tax, health, consumer and legal issues. The Bureau provides a “one-stop shop” so that all the client’s issues are dealt with within the Bureau, and they are not passed from one organisation to another. ACAB saw 5,457 clients in the year 2022-23, a 15% increase from 2021/22. This trend has continued for 2023-24 with 3.300 clients being seen within the first six months. However, the most significant impact ACAB achieves for clients is Client Financial Gains (CFGs) when financial benefit is attained for a client by getting funds awarded to them through benefit and grant applications; or by saving them money by reducing their outgoing costs or getting debt and other charges written off. In year 2022-23 total of £5,17,522.99 CFG was achieved for the 2,280 clients who had approached ACAB with financial issues, resulting in average gain of £947.87 per client. For year 2023-24 the total CFG is already standing at £3,085.052.
*CAB Board Members
Every Citizens Advice Bureau has a Board of Directors/Trustees. Board members are responsible for the strategic management of each bureau, including oversight of planning, evaluation, staffing, as well as managing finances and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. As a Board member you might be doing the following:
• Attending meetings of the Board (around 6 per year) and taking an active part in discussions and decision-making
• Helping set policies and plans and supporting project development
• Offering support to staff and volunteers of the bureau
• Representing the bureau at external meetings, networks or events
• Bringing specific skills to support good governance of the bureau (e.g. financial management, human resources, equality and diversity, etc.)
Normally Board members would demonstrate the following:
• Awareness of issues affecting the local community and CAB
• Commitment to the aims and principles of the CAB service
• Ability to think creatively and exercise good, independent judgement
• Ability to work well in a team
• Willingness to undertake the responsibilities of being a trustee and employer
• Willingness to learn and develop
*Does this sound like you?
Then why not contact us and find to more about joining us to make a difference to the lives of the citizens of Aberdeen.
For more information please contact Valerie Maehle, Chair of Board at email: Valerie.Maehle@aberdeencab.casonline.org.uk or telephone: 07774 927645.