By: G.F.
Aberdeen Action on Disability has recently started Outreach work assisting people with welfare benefits and disability issues. One venue is Inchgarth Community Centre in Garthdee, Aberdeen from 2 until 5pm every second Thursday starting 26th June. Another venue where this will be happening is Ebury House Job Centre on Dee Street on a Tuesday morning. The first date at Ebury House will be announced soon.
Volunteers from AAD will be on hand to try and help people with queries relating to disability issues and claims for disability benefits. During the three hour sessions, at both venues, there will be four 45 minute appointment slots available. These can be booked in advance by calling the AAD office on 01224-641355.
All queries will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by volunteers who have personal experience with disability issues. Anyone applying for sickness benefits for the first time or disagreeing with a benefit decision soon discovers how complex it can be. Our aim is to help you navigate through the process and try to answer any other queries regarding disability
The volunteers` motive for doing this is purely altruistic and to help people in a similar situation to themselves. I certainly do not know where I would be if people at AAD had not been there to help me with my benefits. Being unable to work with various health issues myself, I find volunteering with AAD helps me feel like a productive and valuable member of society.