Fermanagh CAB Launches New RBL Service

From Left to Right: Gary McIntyre (Adviser), Siobhan Peoples (Manager Fermanagh CAB), Councillor Robert Irvine, Chairman Fermanagh District Council), Jim Everett (RBL) and Kathryn Williams (Administrator)

Fermanagh CAB has launched a new service to provide advice and support in Northern Ireland to current and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. The launch took place on Thursday 4th March  at the bureau's offices in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen. Cllr Robert Irvine, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council, opened proceedings wishing the project well and hoping the project would be expanded both in terms of time and the number of advisers across Northern Ireland.

The service is funded by the Royal British Legion and Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund who have contracted Citizens Advice to deliver this innovative new advice offering.  As a result, a number of specialist posts have been created within 3 bureaux across Northern Ireland - East Belfast, Fermanagh (Ennniskillen) and Craigavon District who will each deal with enquiries from current and ex-service personnel along with their partners and dependants. These advisers will give specialist advice on a range of areas, including benefits and money advice.

The service is being provided in response to research conducted by The Royal British Legion into the needs of the ex-service community, research that uncovered the fact that a high level of financial problems are encountered by both the serving and ex-serving communities.

Colin Gracey, the Project Co-ordinator for the Partnership in Northern Ireland said "This launch aims to raise awareness of the service not only with the recognised project partners, but also the many older people whoose husbands or wives may have served in the armed forces. This group of people may now, for the first time be suffering hardship brought about by low interest rates for their savings, static pensions and soaring energy prices. Many such people, for whatever reason, may not be claiming their full benefit entitlement. They may be incurring debt and experiencing financial, and other problems similar to the general public, however their circumstances and needs will often be unique. Accordingly, the advice provided to them needs to be properly tailored. This service will provide the specialist advice required to ensure that they are fully supported."