National Rural Mental Health Forum - Devolved Benefits Advice Sessions

The National Rural Mental Health Forum (NRMHF) is organising a series of free training workshops about the different current and planned Scottish Devolved Benefits offered through Social Security Scotland. These workshops were developed to inform member organisations supporting rural communities.

The workshops will be delivered by Kevin Ferguson, the Forum’s Mental Health and Benefits Roving Adviser, and are offered over two consecutive days - either mornings or afternoons, with an example structure below to illustrate subjects covered.

Kevin explained ‘This excellent new Member Benefit for the Forum and its supporters is an excellent opportunity for us to ensure that we provide valuable information relating to these benefits, including the eligibility criteria, scope and value of awards and the various methods of applying for them. This can then help members to support their staff and service users/clients to better understand their entitlements and ensure that they are received.’

The balance between Current and Planned will evolve over time as changes occur from November onwards and these days/times can be flexible to suit interested organisations and teams.  The workshops would indicatively follow the format below:

Session 1            Currently Devolved                        Duration

09:30                    Introduction & Welcome                   45 mins including Q&A

                             Background 

                             Job Start Payments            

                             BREAK                                            10 Mins

10:25                    Carer’s Allowance Supplement       30 mins inc Q&A

                             Young Carer’s Grant          

                             BREAK                                            10 Mins

11:05                    Best Start Grants                             50 mins including Q&A

                             Best Start Foods     

                             Funeral Support Payments           

11:55                    SUMMARY/WRAP-UP                    20 Mins

Session 2            Current & Planned                         Duration

09:30                    Intro/Recap                                      40 Mins including  Q&A

                    Discretionary Housing Payments

                    Scottish Welfare Fund       

                    Universal Credit Scottish Choices           

                    BREAK                                            10 Min

10:20                    Scottish Child Payments                  60 Mins including  Q&A

                    Winter Heating Assistance            

                    Disability Assistance          

                    BREAK          10 Mins

11:30                    Mental Health and Money Advice    30 Mins

                    Round-up & Close  

Please contact Kevin directly on 07554 620920 or kevferguson@supportinmindscotland.org.uk if you need any more details or would like to discuss specific aspects of the programme.  Alternatively, you can make your way directly to the NRMHF Devolved Benefits webpage to make a booking in the first tranche of workshops, running until the end of 2020. More dates are planned into 2021. 

‘It is vital the rural and island communities are aware of the devolved benefits available to them.’ Jim Hume, Convener of the NRMHF said, ‘There are many new benefits now available that could support you or those in your communities and organisations in rural Scotland. This new benefits advice service is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn what is available and what may support people to live lives with the help that they deserve.’

The NRMHF is supported by the Scottish Government and is organised by Support in Mind Scotland.