Information & Advice Report from Joanne Smit
I began my post here as a Community Advice Worker at Windsor Women’s Centre in May 05 funded by Belfast City Council. There had been no Advice Worker placed here for a period of 7 months so the needs of the local people regarding welfare rights, housing, and various issues were quickly to be addressed.
One of the main issues which I found to be most surprising is that a large majority of people had no idea which benefits they were entitled too. There were also large numbers of elderly who were entitled to Disability Benefits however they could not find an experienced benefits advisor to help them complete the forms and assure them that if they were successful in receiving benefits that they would not be penalised in other ways.
I have also developed a strong interest in housing issues. My department communicates daily with Housing Officers within the NIHE to help clients obtain housing which addresses their needs. I have also formed links with Social Services, Occupational Therapists and Health Care Workers within the area to help address social/housing needs.
During October 05 Windsor Women’s Centre was the setting for a workshop facilitated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network as part of their “Get Heard” Campaign. Over 20 local women were involved in producing a 2 page document regarding poverty issues which was then included in the final draft. This was then forwarded to the Minister for the Department of Work and Pensions Margaret Hodge M.P. This is my chance to personally thank all the local women involved for their positive contributions and also to inform them that we were the most dynamic group according to Francis Dowds Director of NIAPN. I intend to build upon this achievement and have been invited by NIAPN to join their Steering Committee.
Joanne Smit, Community Advice Worker
