First Scottish benefits advocacy pop-up shop hailed ‘a real success’
VoiceAbility’s first pop-up shop in Scotland – set up to spread the word about the support available to people applying for benefits – has been hailed “a real success”.
Some of our independent advocates were based in an empty unit in Dumfries town centre for 4 days this month to explain how we can support disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.
Our nationwide advocacy service also provides support for parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child, and for those who are disabled and want support to access social security benefits for their child.
Advocate Maureen Jardine organised the event, and had her 8-month-old golden labrador puppy, Theo, by her side.
Maureen Jardine next to her puppy Theo and fellow advocate Ann-Marie Strang (second photo) at the Dumfries pop-up shop
Maureen, from Dumfries, said: “Thanks to everyone who came to chat with us about what we do — we now have 8 new clients who we can support with applying for benefits.
“Many also spoke to us about winter fuel payments, and we were able to signpost a few people to the pension credit application form too.
I feel the pop-up shop was a real success considering it’s the first time we’ve done this, and we plan to do more in the future.
“The goody bags went down a treat and Theo had lots of fun — although he did get away with a bit of chewing… because he’s cute!”
For more information about the free service VoiceAbility provides across the country, visit voiceability.org/socialsecurityadvocacy or call us for free on 0300 303 1660.