1. Maxine Williams Outreach/Development Worker Irish Community Care
Presentation for Irish in Britain Policy Action Group UNIVERSAL CREDIT June 2016
Maxine Williams
Outreach/Development Worker
Irish Community Care

2. Irish Community Care Who we are Community based charitable company
Mission: to respond to the health, social care and cultural needs of the Irish and Irish Traveller communities
Over 60 years track record of supporting our communities and achieving excellent outcomes

3. Irish Community Care
What we do:
The best we can to ensure that people get the right opportunities and entitlements to lead decent, healthy and fulfilled lives.

4. Irish Community Care How do we do this:
Highly skilled, knowledgeable, flexible team of staff and volunteers
Service Users at the centre of our approach
Holistic approach
Creating partnerships and opportunities

5. Irish Community Care
2015 Data In 2015 we gave support to: 1709 adults and children via information, advice and support services 450 people through regular health and well being activities 350 people through community engagement events including cultural celebrations, health awareness workshops etc.

6. Irish Community Care
54 % Welfare Benefits

7. Universal Credits: Our Knowledge
New Benefit
Rolled out 2013 – 2017 across UK
Eventually replace all benefits including Housing Benefit
Wigan one of the pilot areas

8. ICC response to ‘Roll Out’
Awareness and information for staff
Regular updates in line with changes
Regular communication across the team
Share information with Service Users, allaying fears and offering support

9. Impact on Service Users
Increased anxiety and stress
Concern for their future
Concern for their health and well being
Additional challenges for individuals and families with poor / no literacy
Additional challenges for people with no access to IT or IT skills

10. ICC response to ‘Roll Out’
Preparing our Environment:
Investment in IT at our Drop-In Service
Managing use of IT through appointment system
Practical changes around office based appointments
Encouraging Service Users to improve literacy and IT skills

11. Universal Credit: Our Experience
Impact has been low to date for Service Users at ICC across Wigan, Merseyside and Cheshire
Liaison with DWP staff and IiB partners reinforces this trend of very few UC claims currently
Slow Transition / Mopping Up old benefits

12. Case Study 1:
Mary is an Irish Traveller who is unable to read or write This has posed many challenges:
Missed appointments, difficulty remembering dates
Inability to complete job search
Continuous sanctions

13. The reality for Mary:
Knock on effect on rent and council tax leading to debt and arrears
Financial hardship and deprivation
Threats of eviction and court proceedings
Increased ANXIETY, STRESS AND POOR HEALTH

14. Case Study 2
Michael has Cerebral Palsy and receiving Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
Taken off SDA and given medical for ESA
Failed ESA Medical, put on JSA
Appealed ESA Medical
Claimed ESA Reduced Rate; ended JSA Claim
Ended pressure to attend back to work courses

15. Conclusion and Recommendations:
Transition and Change poses challenges for all
DWP needs to recognise involved and time consuming work of voluntary sector
Importance of investment in the sector
Steps to Enabling

16. Go raibh míle maith agaibh
Irish Community Care
Thank you
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
Any questions?
Contact Details:
Maxine Williams
Telephone: