Help for Devon vulnerable to continue

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Saturday, February 21, 2015 - 11:04am

More than 10,000 vulnerable people in Devon have been helped by a crisis intervention scheme over the past two years.

The scheme’s been operated by Devon County Council working with the eight district councils and funded by a Government grant.

But the scheme was in danger after the Government withdrew the grant.

However, after extensive lobbying by local councils, the Government agreed extra funding to allow it to continue.

Now Devon County Council has agreed to top up the grant to a total of £1 million to allow more people to be helped.

The Devon Local Welfare Support scheme helps people with immediate crises by providing food or enabling them to keeping their gas and electricity connected.

It is then followed up with longer term support, such as money management and budgeting advice, to help them avoid future crises. 

The scheme started in 2013 and after a year an independent review concluded it was managed effectively and efficiently and with a real focus on dealing proactively and imaginatively to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Devon.   

Devon’s Cabinet member for communities, Barry Parsons, said: “Supporting people through major change is necessary if welfare reform is to be a success for our communities. 

“The allocation of £1m is the recognition of the unrelenting work by district and county staff in supporting some of Devon’s most vulnerable people.

“It results from the hard work of Devon County Council and colleagues in making repeated representations to Government not to cut this vital fund.

“I would congratulate my colleagues in approving the money and making this a priority at such a difficult financial time.”

Share this