font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by Tina SHello
Well, well, well, after being out of action for a couple of days I am now catching up and following a mammoth hour and 10 minutes reading through this whole thread where do I start?! Apologies now for typos, we know I'm prone from time to time!
Like everyone on here I really value a good debate and good things can come from understanding differing views or clearing up misunderstandings. We are all aiming for the same goal which is to ensure that people needing help know where they can get it and receive the best advice possible. It is great having your input on here NEDCAB and your openness and willingness for two way feedback is just what we need. The CAB play a crucial role in people's lives giving them a place to go to for help and advice. It is rare someone has never heard of the CAB or know where their nearest one. I know personally from involvement with many different communities, many people see you in general as the One-stop-shop for help so it is vital each relevant sector can help the CAB be the link to the necessary facts and services that the public need. Of course, we speak on here in relation to the problems with debt but as a trained counsellor it is true for all areas of need. I just wish you could have more resources to allow there to be more offices and staff to increase your availability for the public...but then I am sure you would all like more help on that side too!
My overriding concern and bugbear in response to this whole debate is that vulnerable people are occaisionally being misled, at a time when they need clarity, support, objective advice and facts and they are left open to making wrong and detrimental decisions as a result of it. The misleading is in general by some media, some poorly trained advisors, some out of date websites, some organisations and unfortunately by some people who have themselves had bad experience and believe it would be the same for everyone else.
As a professional in the field there is nothing more frustrating or upsetting when a client comes to us with misinformation or 'half the picture' whch has left them confused and unnecessarily panicking, especially when it is too late to be able to rectify things for them. It seems more and more people do 'shop around' and do their research which is a good thing to ensure they are making the right decision but are still those that don't know to do this and take what they are first told to be the whole picture.
Ultimately, if a client needing help is listened to, treated with respect, has their sitiaution properly assessed, has all the options fully explained to them (whether they want to hear it or not), is given help to calculate a realistic living budget, is advised of the implications and next steps, is given time to think things through and is given a level of ongoing support that helps them along the way and addresses issues that come up then it is a good job done and that is what we should all be aiming for as the standard to achieve whoever we are.
I am frustrated by the misrepresentation and collective use of the term "fee paying companies". Speaking from one of these said companies I am personally extremely proud of the service we provide and the lengths we go to for not only our clients but those approaching us from elsewhere seeking help. And we are not alone - there are other companies, some on here, who have a similar approach to the service they provide. Do those that have a dim view of "fee charging companies" really know what services are being offered by some and that some of us give anything up to 18 hours a day direct access for clients including weekends just to be there for them if they need support or help.
I think anyone in contact with people looking for debt advice should give them unbiased places to visit to get help - comparison sites, forums such as this and others and let them know that services offered can vary and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether a fee is charged or not, it is down the individual organisation! Fees covered by the creditors are diferent to additional upfront fees so that should be made clear to clients so they understand what fees are covered by whom.
If more people knew that places like this forum existed and the level of support and help that is out there, then we would hear less and less of people ending up in worse situations and living a nightmare that could have been avoided after receiving bad advice.
Thats my ramble over and here is to moving forward together to ensure those needing help get it when and how they need it.
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