CAB that you can call for free

One man was on the verge of a nervous breakdown having lost his home, his business and almost all his money following a road accident.

Another woman didn't know which way to turn after a traumatic divorce; she needed help so she and her young children could start again.

These people couldn't afford solicitors yet they knew they needed professional advice. They were desperate for help. And they got it from a free, confidential and trusted service -- the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

This week is National Advice Week and, along with CABs across the country, the Bolton branch is inviting local people to discover the value of advice.

Over the years, volunteer advisers at CAB have tackled cases that would probably baffle many high-powered lawyers. Most of the problems are related to benefits, consumer issues, debts and employment, but these issues rarely come neatly packaged.

"Problems overlap," says Matthew Wright, social policy development officer at Bolton, "so our advisers are trained to carefully undo the tangle and then make the connections between all the different agencies and companies ordinary people can find themselves at odds with."

Matthew points out there is abundant evidence that free, independent expert advice can make the difference between problems solved and problems that deepen.

"People threatened with repossession or eviction are less likely to lose their homes when CAB is involved," he says, "and they are more likely to win at benefit appeals and employment tribunals when represented by us."

Because confidentiality is paramount at CAB, the following examples -- all from the Bolton branch in Mawdsley Street -- have had names changed to protect identity. 'Weight off shoulders' GARY'S business collapsed after a hit and run accident left him unable to work. After 25 years it went into liquidation and he was facing crippling debts. His home was under threat and, not surprisingly, he'd sunk into clinical depression.

He'd been in hospital for a week when the Social Services mental health team referred him to Bolton CAB for debt advice. There, an adviser negotiated with Gary's creditors and worked out an easy payment plan, averted court action and made sure he received all the benefits he was entitled to.

Today Gary says: "Since I went to the CAB mornings are now worth getting up for -- it feels as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders." Marriage help Ms B was in difficulties after her marriage collapsed. Bolton CAB helped her back on her feet, guiding her through the minefield of legal problems surrounding relationship breakdown.

Not only did this include legal issues, such as separation or divorce, but practical things like finding new housing, resolving debt problems, ensuring she received the correct benefits, finding the right solicitor and making sure her children were alright. Graham now manager UNEMPLOYED people who train as volunteers quickly find they have marketable skills which provide a further boost to the local economy.

Graham Yates is one former CAB volunteer adviser who used the experience as a stepping stone to a new career. He had lost his job as a part-time cook and moved into paid employment by gaining a thorough grounding in generalist advice and training to become a debt advice specialist.

Graham is now the service manager at Bolton and District CAB. He says: "The challenge and variety that the CAB service offers, and the fact the involvement really does improve job prospects, are big attractions -- especially for younger people."

"As well as looking great on your CV, a stint at the CAB offers a chance to develop skills, knowledge and confidence." Great value for money EVERY CAB depends on the local authority for its core funding and searches elsewhere to fund specialist services. In Bolton the CAB receives £130,000 from Bolton Council and, says Matthew: "Every penny goes a very long way. The money pays for rent on our six outlets, a comprehensive training programme and five staff to support the 40 volunteers."

He adds: "For every £1 invested in a volunteer CAB adviser, £40 worth of work is delivered."

Central government funds the national association (NACAB) to provide high quality training materials, the electronic system and managerial support to all bureaux. HIstory of the CAB service IN the 1930s, voluntary social services were grouped together under the umbrella organisation, the National Council of Social Services (NCSS).

But war was on the way and it soon became clear that people were going to need a lot of help to cope with the disruption it would surely bring. So the NCSS were asked to put together a blueprint for a national advice service and, in September 1939, the first 200 Citizens Advice Bureaux opened for business. They were staffed entirely by volunteers and had financial support from local councils.

Records from these early CABs show the hardships of wartime Britain and illustrate the problems tackled by CAB advisers.

One report says: "We were bombed last night and the pawn tickets went. Now the pawnbroker says he can't give us our things back without them. He's got our blankets and best clothes." Completely different problems to today perhaps, but equally as traumatic.

During the war, many families had their incomes drastically reduced by the call-up, so CAB played an important part in giving debt advice and, after the war, it worked with agencies like the Red Cross in helping locate lost relatives.

The Legal Aid Act and Advice Act in the 1950s generated more legal and matrimonial problems than ever before and, due to the 1957 Rent Act -- which gradually removed rent controls, CAB became more involved in solving housing problems.

By 1965, the number of enquiries nationwide had reached 1.25 million, mostly in family and personal areas and, by the 1970s, a general increase in legislation meant that a CAB adviser had to know about regulations rather than acting simply as a signpost to other agencies.

In the 1980s unemployment doubled and the rise in poverty among the jobless meant that enquiries to CAB rose by 50pc.

Now in a new century, the CAB service claims to be at the forefront of new technology and the CABnet 2000 programme will revolutionise the way it provides advice.

In Bolton, Matthew Wright explains: "In addition to this programme, Bolton and District CAB's website (www.boltoncab.co.uk) gives people 24-hour access to the information and advice they need.

"We also provide advice by e-mail -- access to those who perhaps can't visit an office." Successes of local bureau Last year, CAB advisers in Bolton dealt with 11,000 people, providing local problems with local solutions;

Bolton CAB has also been active in campaigning for changes in the law surrounding the collection of debt;

Thanks to Bolton CAB, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has agreed to adopt a policy of writing off 'shortfall debt' after six years;

Bolton CAB also provides home visits to the housebound or carers and has outreach sessions in Horwich, Halliwell, Daubhill, Little Hulton, Farnworth and New Bury. THE Take Away Advice Week is being held in the Market Hall, Bolton (near Corporation Street entrance), until tomorrow from 10am to 4pm.