News


downsmail.co.uk Benefits top residents’ concerns


ALMOST10,000 people with 41,000 enquiries sought help from Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau in 2013/14.


The main issues related to bene-


fits (23%), relationship and family – primarily domestic violence – (15%), legal (14%), debt (13%), housing (13%) and employment (11%). The bureau, operating from


Bower Terrace, Maidstone Gateway and a monthly outreach service in Park Wood, Marden and Head- corn, succeeded in obtaining £154,706 for its clients while getting debts worth £116,780 written off. Atotal of 97% of clientswere sat-


isfied with the service – the other 3% did not respond. In his annual report, chairman Sir Michael Buckley said: “These are excellent figures and testimony to the hard work and skill of our staff, both paid and volunteer.” The bureau also offers home vis-


its to people who are ill or disabled. Maidstone CAB faced a signifi-


cant cut in its budget in 2013, due to the changes in funding by the Legal Aid Agency. In 2012/13, 36% of the bureau’s income came from the agency, which reduced to just 7% in 2013/14. The largest single source of fund-


ing is still Maidstone Council, which contributed £200,693 to the bureau’s total funding of £561,080 in the year. Chief executive Bonny Malhotra


told the annual meeting: “With all the changes within the benefits sys- tem, the withdrawal of legal aid and financial cutbacks, the work of the CAB has become even more complicated and competitive. “To attract addi-


BonnyMalhotra


tional funding we have to some ex- tent to re-invent and re-package a service that pre- dominantly exists to help those who


could not help themselves. “While our clients’ problems are becoming more complex and multi-faceted, providing a bespoke and holistic service is becoming more challenging.” During the year, volunteers for Maidstone CAB gave 47,556 hours of their time to the community. Technology has opened up a


whole new way of working for the bureau and, with the use of the iPad, partners and their clients are now able to receive “face-to-face” advice without having to travel to the bureau. The bureau is always keen to re-


cruit more volunteers and anyone interested should call Maria Mc- Farlane on 01622 750770 or email advice@maidstonecab.org.uk.


Advisers ‘making life safer in town’s prison’


INMATES at Maidstone Prison are being helped by a partnership be- tween the prison and the town’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Volunteers from the CAB visit


the prison – a hub for jailed foreign nationals – twice a week, offering advice to the inmates and the staff. As well as sending prisoners


back into the community with a re- duced chance of re-offending, their advice is also helping to save lives. Speaking at the bureau’s annual meeting Martin Finnan, custodial manager for resettlement at HMP Maidstone, said inmates’ issues were the sameas those ofpeople on the “outside”, with fears about debt, housing and finances. Between the start of the scheme


on April 1 this year andAugust 31, prison outreach workers Jo Woolla- cott and Richard Pellant visited the prison 176 times. Prisoners had learned to trust the volunteers, and uptake had “gone through the roof”, said Mr Finnan. “This is because of the integrity of the CAB staff,” he said. “We could fill their day, five days aweek.”


views sought PARENTS are being canvassed about a science-based secondary school that could be built in Maid- stone. The Maidstone School of Science


Maidstone Prison houses in-


mates from 39 countries and Mr Finnan said 35 clients had between them debt totalling £250,000. He said: “They worry about the effect the debt has on their families. “TheCABcan bring trust and in- dependent advice to the table that we do not have. They are doing a vital job at Maidstone Prison, not just for the prisoners but also for the staff and society as a whole.” MrFinnan said theCABadvisors


were also instrumental in helping reduce incidents of self-harming. “Stress and a sense of worthless- ness can cause people to self-harm and even die,” he said. “CAB is helping to achieve a safer environ- ment by helping people to solve their problems.” Mrs Woollacott admitted the in- troduction to prison work had been “a culture shock” but said: “The problems are exactly the same.” The prison outreach service was


made possible by grant funding from the John Paul Getty 2 Foun- dation, supplemented by funding from the prison itself.


Science school Pupils’ show remembers pal Amanda


FORMER student Amanda Slannwas remembered when pupils at Invicta Grammar School held its fourth Encore Show. The show featured acts from


and Technology (MSST) is the idea of The Valley Invicta Academies Trust, which wants to build it in Huntsman’s Lane. The trust is now in talks with the Department of Education over its proposal for the comprehensive co- educational free school for 120 11- to 18-year-old pupils. The trust plans to build the school between Valley Park School and Invicta Grammar School. It believes MSST, which would


focus on the sciences, technology, engineering and maths, would pro- vide “a highly desirable” skills set for students. Pupils would also take GCSE English, have the option of learning Mandarin and would work with industrial partners to enhance their studies. The trust, which runsValley Park School, Invicta Grammar and Aylesford primary, hopes the new school could open by September 2017.


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singing to gymnastic performances, including tap and street dance routines fromMaidstone Dance Studios and an interpretive dance fromAmy Riley. The showwas attended by friends


and family of Amanda, who died fromleukaemia in 2012. It was developed to raise money for the RoyalMarsden in her memory and this year raised more than £550.


College looks to future


FOLLOWING the death this summer of Sue McLeod, princi- pal of MidKent College, as the re- sult of a brain tumour, the governing body has announced its leadership plans. Current acting principal Simon


Cook will continue in this role until the end of August 2015. Stephen Grix’s contract as part- time chief executive and the col-


Maidstone Town November 2014


lege’s chief accountable officer will be extended to August 2016. It is planned to advertise for a permanent principal at Easter next year. Chair of governors Sheila Potipher said:“With our highest- ever enrolments this September, we are looking forward to a bright positive year ahead for our students and staff.”


Social forum


MAIDSTONE Council is working with the Maidstone Dementia Friendly Community Forum to offer a free event for older people. The Older Persons SAS (SocialAc- tivities and Sports) event is at the Army Reserve Centre on London Road, Ditton, from 10am to 2pm on Monday, October 27. Visitors can find out what is available to encour- age social activities and sports. Call Tracey on 07730 750906 or email Tracey.schneider@kent.gov.uk.


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