Agenda item

Relational Mentoring Service is a new service, fully funded by the Scottish Government, now available in the Scottish Borders, and aims to support people in or at risk of fuel poverty.

6.0       RELATIONAL MENTORING SERVICE: THE WISE GROUP

            The Chairman welcomed Katy Leigh from The Wise Group.  Katy explained that The Wise Group was a leading social enterprise working to lift people out of poverty, and been in existence for over 40 years, although it was new to the Borders. As an enterprise, they build bridges to opportunity for the most vulnerable in society, through mentoring support, employment, skills, and energy advice.  Customers were supported everyday into jobs, to enable people out of fuel poverty, and help people coming out of prison to build a better future.  The work was varied, and underlying everything was a passion and commitment for social justice and a fairer society for all.  In the past year demand for fuel vouchers at HES in SC&C had more than doubled to 2,860, which illustrated the astounding rate at which the COL crisis had increased poverty in communities.  These numbers were purely from Home Energy Scotland and only for Strathclyde and Central belt and did not take into account the other organisations who could make applications to the FBF.  

            Renfrewshire 900

            Glasgow City 827

            North Lanarkshire 589

            South Lanarkshire 322

            Inverclyde 222

6.1       Families affected by fuel poverty were typically affected by other forms of poverty too.  In terms of fuel poverty in Central Scotland, 87% of people were only able to access one voucher and, in many cases, people returned asking for more support.  65 requests for a voucher were denied in the second half of the last financial year due to the household reaching the limit for fuel voucher support, which was during the awful winter last year. We need to step in when someone requires quick help through a fuel voucher and address the other factors contributing to their circumstances, the cycle could be interrupted and lift this household out of poverty. The maximum number of vouchers is three for most customers trying to access help through fuel vouchers and having worked with HES the past few years, it is evident the difference the advice and support makes to the families who are supported, however many of the customers needed support for other factors contributing to their struggles which were outwith the role of energy advisor.  

6.2       The Relational Mentoring Service was fully funded by the Scottish Government and covered 6 key areas in Scotland.? The service would be based on a wide range of face to face holistic approaches which would be tailored to the needs, not only for the individual but for the whole family unit.? The relational  mentors would work in Communities providing support to the most vulnerable households where fuel insecurity  funding ?

eligibility applied. The Wise Group’s aim was to have £100 mil of social value going back into communities through our relational mentoring services.  Progression: A belief between mentor and mentee that positive change was possible and could be facilitated through mentoring. This does not mean that progression was on a linear, upward trajectory, but can be in constant flux.  ?Communication: Clear communication in both directions facilitates mentoring and effective communication channels maintained.? Relationship-based: Mentoring between one person, or group of people, and another person or group of people.  Relational mentoring, which was voluntary for the customer  was a face to face two way relationship  based either in the family home or in a setting suitable and comfortable for the customer.?  The presentation concluded with an explanation of the eligibility criteria and referral process, for more information contact katy_leigh@thewisegroup.co.uk

            DECISION

            NOTED.