Last month, myself and three other City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) tenants (Barbara Stark, Christine and big Jim Galloway (who was the driver) were invited to visit the new Social Security Scotland Agency headquarters in Dundee.  The purpose of the trip was to find out a bit more about the work of the Agency and ask questions.  We first had a meeting with Miriam Craven, (Head of local Delivery and Client Experience of Social Security Scotland) and her colleagues.  We found out some interesting facts and were impressed that our questions were answered not like “oh we’ll get back to you, or I don’t know but will find out.”  We were then shown round the offices which are on the 1^st floor of Dundee Council offices it was a real eye opener for us.

We were part of a working group which helped to formulate ETF’s response to the Social Security Scotland consultation and it was good to see that many of our recommendations have already been implemented.  Below is what we each thought of our day in their office.

Myself: I found it very informative, especially reading different stories from people Social Security Scotland have helped by issuing the new Carers Supplement Benefit for those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.  The supplement is given twice a year and £221.00 is usually given every 6 months. For some families the money is a life saver.

Big Jim: Just a fun day with lots of important information gained by myself.  Being given a chance to speak to the new staff on the front line gave me a good insight into what is happening with the new rules. The company was nice, and a good day was had by all.

Barbara: It was a great day and it was very informative.

Christine: It was very good and to actually see the work in action was brilliant.

One card got the tears to us all, it simply read “This has stopped me from ending it all, the money was a god send I can now feed my kids.” Another card simply read “I can now give my children Christmas presents, thank you”

Sharon Robertson, CEC tenant, Gorgie