National award for BOB the Branching Out Bus

An innovative mobile outreach project, which has taken financial and employment advice out to North Warwickshire’s rural communities, has won a national award.

The team running BOB the Branching Out Bus scooped the ‘Best Partnership Award’ from the Institute of Money Advisers at their annual conference in Kenilworth recently.

Launched in summer 2009 with a £270,000 grant from the Department Of Children, Schools and Families, the BOB project was one of 10 national pilots designed to tackle child poverty. The BOB team, involving staff working in benefits, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Credit Union, has to date helped over 1500  customers, identified £182,216 of unclaimed benefit and set up 23 school banks with over 1,000 young savers.  Confidential and free advice and information has been provided ranging from debt and money management to retraining opportunities and health and housing issues.

Bob Trahern, Assistant Chief Executive (Community Services) commented: “It is great that this award recognises the exceptional work that we, as a small Borough Council have delivered working in partnership with key local voluntary and advice agencies .  Together, we have ensured that our customers have received the best help and advice to make a real difference in their lives and assist them during these difficult economic times. “

More information about how the public can access the BOB service is available via the website www.askbob.org.uk or contact North Warwickshire Borough Council on 01827 715341.