b'POSITIVE FUTURESPositive Futures piloted differentbeing ready to access support.40,000 of debt, helped at least approaches to help people livingIn response, we widened theten people to access Universal on low income increase theirprojects scope to work withCredit, Personal Independence household income throughindividuals on whatever they werePayments, pension and other higher-paid work and supportstruggling with. In the projectsdisability benefits, and applied for to claim benefits and managetwo years, this included neighbourhardship grants of around 2,000 debt. It aimed to understanddisputes, finding domestic helpfor furniture and clothing etc.better the barriers that stop somefor housebound people, booking people from achieving financialhealth appointments, accessingWe were invited into St Aloysius sustainability and what is neededtransport and many housingCollege, a boys secondary to level the playing field.issues.school where more than 50% of children qualify for Free School It became apparent very early onPositive Futures helped more thanMeals. We supported around 15 that language and literacy issues,50 individuals with 1:1 advice andparents in finding work, facing and poor mental health and low ITsupport, signposting around 25managing their debt, and claiming skills meant that vast swaths ofpeople for more specialist advicethe benefits to which they were people found it incredibly difficultwith Step Change and Citizensentitled. to access online services. In theAdvice. In all cases, we used a past five years, many councilsTell, Show, Do model where weWe helped eight people create a and health and benefits servicesexplained what they needed to do,CV and apply for paid or voluntary have moved almost exclusivelythen showed them how to do it,jobs and apprenticeships, online, undoubtedly creating costand then encouraged them to doincluding one gentleman who efficiencies for the provider. Forit themselves. This is not possiblehad been out of work for nearly the service user, it makes a two- for everyone, but it is undoubtedly10 years, secured employment tier system with those who canhelpful for some.as a concierge and a parent who access digital services and thosesecured an apprenticeship.who need the support of a humanThe project opened our eyes to to access help and support. the levels of debt that people live with and how precarious life is We learned that many peopleon a low income. In the lifetime need pre-advice support as theyof the project, we helped people are unable to get to the stage ofmanage and reschedule around Positive Futures helped me deal with the job search, define priorities, polish my CV and realise my potential.Your advice and kind words mademe believe that change is possible.HNCP IMPACT REPORT 2020 - 2024 45'