A welfare rights organisation and a group supporting people with industrial diseases have been given a funding boost by Derbyshire County Council.
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centre, which offers free, independent welfare rights advice, will receive a grant of £40,148 and the Trade Union Safety Team (TRUST) will receive £5,821 following a decision made by the council.
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centre (DUWC) was set up in 1983 and offers a number of services geared around welfare rights including guidance on benefits and tax credits, help with form-filling, representation at benefits tribunals and redundancy advice.
The centre conducts welfare benefits appeals referred from Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB). This work will continue to grow when the CAB service is extended to all children’s centres from April this year.
The organisation has a mix of employed staff and volunteers who work from the main office in Saltergate, Chesterfield (moving to Chesterfield Town Hall on April 14) and 14 outreach centres in the county. They also run a telephone helpline.
Last year DUWC dealt with nearly 12,349 enquiries and it is estimated they helped to bring in more than £2.3 million for local people as a result.
The Trade Union Safety Team (TRUST) provides help and support, including legal and benefits advice, on all aspects of health and safety at work including industrial diseases. TRUST works closely with DUWC and refers clients for benefits advice where necessary.
Based in Chesterfield, the team also has outreach services and supports people across Derbyshire and Derby city.
The work they do includes diagnostic testing for industrial deafness and vibration white finger, as well as running support groups for people diagnosed with tinnitus and asbestos-related diseases.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dave Allen said: “We’re extremely pleased to be able to continue to fund these two organisations which provide essential support to thousands of people every year.
“The advice that the staff and volunteers at both organisations provide is a great help to many people in Derbyshire who are going through difficult times.”
