Bureau receives funding

Finance project

Coatbridge citizens’ advice bureau (CAB) has been given a twoyear grant of £74,413 to support its financial advice project.

The funding, from the Bank of Scotland Foundation, means the organisation will be able to provide money education and raise awareness of financial literacy and inclusion at their Fountain business centre base, plus outreach and via home visits.

Bureau manager Marian Tobin said: “The award couldn’t have come at a better time as, due to funding constraints, we simply couldn’t offer this service and were regularly turning away clients who needed this type of support.

“It’s fantastic that we will be able to support citizens of Coatbridge further by offering money advice five days a week through our office and seven outreach locations.”

The money will cover staff and running costs for the financial advice project, to “support vulnerable clients ... [with a] focus on financial education, options for cost savings, budgeting and prioritising spending, thereby helping prevent recurring money worries”.

Coatbridge CAB was among six charities based in Central Scotland to receive grants – with Airdrie-based Counselling And Benefits In Action ( CABIA) also benefiting from a one-year grant of £6000.

Bank of S c o t l a n d Foundation trustee board chair Philip Grant said: “It’s fantastic that our funding programmes help so many people across Scotland to benefit from a variety of much-needed local services and personal support.”