Value of voluntary agency revealed

Tens of thousands of pounds has found its way into the pockets of parents living on the breadline through the help of the Kingsway West Area Action Project.

Now the value for money provided by the service – which also seeks to wean people off benefits and get them into training for jobs – has been underlined by a report from York St John University.

It shows that on a budget of only 32,000 the project has, among other achievements, yielded over 57,000 in additional annual benefits, boosting households' income in an area with high levels of deprivation.

Working with residents' associations, the police, Primary Care Trust and the Citizens Advice Bureau, there had been a number of success stories.

From November 2008 to March this year, 204 people contacted Future Prospects. From November 2008 to October 2009, 43 people have enrolled on courses. One has begun voluntary work and 12 have found employment.

Up to this March more than 57,000 in additional annual benefits has been realised for residents.

More than 370 people were also referred to Citizens Advice for counselling, mostly on debt, benefits and housing.