AN ORGANISATION helping people to help themselves are welcoming a new chief executive to lead the invaluable charity forward.

Citizens Advice Darlington (CAD) has announced Helen Howson will step into the role left vacant by Neeraj Sharma, who has been appointed chief of autism support charity, Daisy Chain, in Stockton.

Ms Howson will be following in the footsteps of Mr Sharma, who introduced a range of new services to the town's Citizens Advice, including action to stop social isolation in the elderly and a youth employability programme.

CAD's new chief executive is now setting out her plans to continue delivering support to those visiting the charity's base off Church Row, Darlington.

She said: "It’s a huge privilege to lead Citizens Advice Darlington and to have the opportunity to continue to build on the successful services we deliver on behalf of Darlington residents."

And one of Ms Howson's first promises is to launch a new Help to Claim service for people struggling to access Universal Credit following its controversial rollout last year.

Universal Credit combines six working-age benefits merged into one and those receiving income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, child tax credit, working tax credit and housing benefit will eventually through either natural or managed migration, receive a single universal credit payment.

CAD chief executive Ms Howson added: "We know people have been struggling with the Universal Credit application process.

"We have changed our service to meet demand; the Help to Claim service will support people to complete their Universal Credit claim and get paid on time.

"Our Help to Claim advisers are placed at Citizens Advice Darlington and in the Jobcentre to offer impartial advice and support to anyone who may need help.”

The service will go live in Darlington in April and trained advisers will help those in need from opening an account to receiving the first full payment.

However, to ensure CAD can continue to support people across the town, more volunteers are needed to join the bureau across a range of roles, including receptionist, administration, IT, assessors and advisers.

Dawn Gill, CAD advice services manager, said: "Thanks to our amazing volunteers we are able to continue making a huge difference to people’s lives.

"Our volunteers give up their time to help people who may be going through problems to get back on their feet. We need you, please help if you can.”

  • Darlington residents unsure how to access help can visit CAD, The Core, Church Row, between 9.45am and noon, Monday to Friday
  • Alternatively, call the CAD office on 01325-266888 or speak to Darlington Jobcentre Plus staff to be signposted to the service
  • Volunteers can visit or call CAD on 01325-266888 extension 110 to speak to guidance tutor Rachel Wearmouth, or email admin@darlingtoncab.co.uk for an application form