|
Our purpose
The purpose of GLOMAS is: -
To provide a money advice service in Gloucestershire which will provide expertise, consultancy and casework to those agencies who, day by day, are involved with clients experiencing financial difficulties.
Our aims and principles
As a member of Citizens Advice, we share the aims and principles of the CAB Service: -
The Citizens Advice Service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.
The service aims:
To provide the advice people need for the problems they face
To improve the policies and practices that affect people s lives.
Our service is independent and provides free, confidential, impartial advice regardless of race, gender, sexuality, disability or age.
Our history
GLOMAS was established in 1990 as a result of a grant for money advice from Gloucestershire County Council, as part of its anti-poverty strategy, to the County Group of Citizens Advice Bureaux.
Initially the service consisted of just the Manager and part-time clerical help. In 1992 a caseworker was appointed with a special responsibility to assist sole traders and self-employed people who are facing financial difficulties.
Since 1994 we have staffed a duty advice desk on mortgage possession days at Gloucester County Court.
In 1992 we became a Registered Charity, a Company Limited by Guarantee and a member of Citizens Advice. We currently hold a Community Legal Service Quality Mark for General Help with Casework in Debt.
Our staff
Current staffing consists of a full-time Manager, a part-time Money Advice Specialist, and a part-time volunteer Administrator. We also make use of sessional workers to run our duty advice desk at Gloucester County Court and hire in external trainers to deliver some of our training courses.
Charlotte Bentham is the GLOMAS manager. Charlotte joined GLOMAS in February 2006 after working as Caseworker/Supervisor at Stroud CAB Franchise Unit for over five years. Prior to this, Charlotte worked for the Gloucestershire Carers Project, the Forest Road Unemployed Community Resource Centre in Cinderford, Hereford CAB and as a self-employed finance worker.
Margaret Hayes is our volunteer Administrator. Margaret joined GLOMAS in November 2003 after retiring from her career as an Occupational Therapist.
Both our Manager and Money Advice Specialist are members of the Institute of Money Advisers www.themaa.org.uk
|
