Description
The project addresses the needs of individuals and groups at risk of social exclusion living in two districts (especially residents of small towns and villages), resulting from the lack of access to specialized advisory and support services. We offer free of charge services: legal and citizen’s rights counselling, as well as financial and tax advisory services; we also introduce new forms of support, such as negotiations, mediation, psychological counselling. Our services will reach 1500 people, both directly and indirectly (by phone, e-mail, mail). Three new advisory facilities will be established. The project will be conducted in partnership with Law and Tax Advisory Firm, guaranteeing, as an added value, the high level of financial and tax advisory services which so far have not been offered by the Applicant.
Summary of project results
"Since 2005 the Organization has run the Citizens Advice Bureau in Wałbrzych, which supports people at risk of exclusion in their search for constructive methods of problem solving. Majority of the people using the service are citizens of Wałbrzych (66% visits in the Bureau). The main obstacle in taking advantage of the counseling for people who do not live in the city is travel (financial and time limitations). The goal of the project was to provide people at risk of exclusion with access to counseling, professional support and making it possible for them to mitigate the problems they are facing. The counseling was provided in Wałbrzych and in 3 newly opened spots w Kamienna Góra, Głuszyca and Szczawno-Zdrój. About 2,100 persons (99%) have solved or mitigated their life problems. In 4 spots legal and citizens counseling was provided extended with a module of financial and tax advice and also some new forms of support were offered, such as: negotiations, mediation, psychological counseling. 2,119 persons have benefited from the service. In total 3,763 consultations were given: 2,700 of citizens advice, 382 of legal advice, 500 financial and tax advice and 181 psychological advice. 1,222 pleadings and administrative letters have been written, 549 person received information materials. 172 clients were offered participation in mediations and negotiations, and in seven cases the mediations were held, and the clients had a chance to approve the settlements in court. Materials with information on 15 typical problems of the clients or regulations concerning bigger social groups, such as payment orders, child support, complaints about a bailiff's actions have been prepared. 2,119 people with disabilities, ill, homeless people and people with an addiction from the following towns and its environs: Wałbrzych (1,426) , Kamienna Góra (242), Głuszyca (183) i Szczawno Zdrój (268).have benefited from the service. The Partner has provided a high quality financial and tax counseling."
Summary of bilateral results