Is it worth attending a branch meeting ?…….

In my role as Welfare Officer, this is a question I get asked most often. I never find it easy to explain and I usually start by saying that the aim of the Committee is to make the meetings Informative, Sociable and Fun. Therefore it was a pleasure to be told by so many members that the meeting held on Wednesday 18th July was all of these and more.

The speaker was Martin Newbury, a Benefits Agency Advisor. I think it would be fair to say that most of the 25 or so members at the meeting heard of at least one thing concerning benefits that they had previously been unaware of. For example, are you aware that there is a “Better Off" interview available at the Benefits Agency? - It’s like a health check for benefits; completely confidential, you are helped through of a series of computer based questions concerning your circumstances by a benefits advisor. The computer is pre-loaded with all the benefits available and if you are missing out on one that you are entitled to, this will be highlighted.

Did you know that there is a Mobile Information Unit that visits Stevenage on the first Monday of the month? Manned by Martin Newbury it is located at the top of Sainsbury's car park at The Poplars.

The talk and subsequent discussions lasted for around two hours, with lots of involvement from the members. One thing that did come out of the discussions was just how important it is to get help and take advice when filling out the dreaded DLA or Attendance Allowance forms. So many ’bad’ decisions are made because the information supplied is not as detailed as it needs to be. If anyone would like help on these or any other benefits matters you are most welcome to contact the Welfare Team or alternatively CAB or Age Concern would be happy to support you..

Branch meetings are an ideal way for you to get to know each other and to pick up tips and advice that you might well miss out on. So to summarise I would say Yes, Branch meetings are well worth attending.

I do hope you enjoy reading this months edition and don't for get to drop me a line with any  suggestions for Octobers issue.

For some members, getting to Branch meetings can be difficult due to transport problems.

If this is the reason you haven’t been able to attend in the past please let us know as help is at hand.

We can arrange a lift for any of you, with wheelchair if required, as long as you are able to transfer to a car seat, we can accommodate you.

Ring Eddy Roethenbaugh on 238065 and he will make the necessary arrangements with you.