CHAP offers free and impartial advice, help and advocacy from its base in Ardrossan and through an expanding network of community-based hubs across North Ayrshire.

The charity has also been put forward by North Ayrshire Council for a Living Wage Scotland award based on the work CHAP did to win accreditation, against a challenging funding backdrop and with continued high demand for their services.

The process of accreditation started two years ago, through a meeting with NAC’s ‘Fair Work’ programme manager, Juliet Dempster. This provided the catalyst to review the entire wage structure, and resulted in the charity funding staff to undertake additional, voluntary training through SVQs.

CHAP CEO, Debbie Alexander, said: “We exist to improve hope and wellbeing for our clients, not just through providing free, debt and housing advice but by recognising that debt occurs through a huge variety of circumstances. We help clients to improve life skills such as budgeting, where appropriate, and in that context, it seems particularly important for us to champion the Living Wage.”

North Ayrshire Council leader, Marie Burns, added: “This is fantastic news and I am delighted that one of our key partners has obtained Living Wage accreditation.  North Ayrshire Council’s Business and Fair Work team have worked together with CHAP over the past couple of years helping them to work towards paying the Real Living Wage, increase the number of Modern Apprenticeships and develop a stronger staff voice within the organisation.

“CHAP recognise that their staff are the most important asset in their organisation and that paying them the Real Living Wage shows that they are valued and supported.  I would urge firms across North Ayrshire to support their staff through the Cost-of-Living Crisis by committing to pay the Real Living Wage.”

Debbie Alexander praised CHAP staff for their continued commitment against a difficult economic backdrop, including the small number of volunteers who provide assistance from admin to board level.

The bulk of responsibility for client-facing work, however, falls on dedicated staff members; one of who, Alister Meek, has recently been nominated by a grateful client for an award of his own.

Information and advice worker, Alister, has been nominated for a North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership Award by a client, who nominated him in the Everyday Hero category.

CHAP as a whole has been nominated by NAC as a Local Champion for the Living Wage (the category is sponsored by Hillcrest Homes) and will hear if it’s a winner in November.

Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “I am delighted that CHAP has achieved Living Wage Accreditation, formally recognising and celebrating the charity paying their staff a fair wage, which is particularly important during this cost-of-living crisis.

“CHAP supports anyone in North Ayrshire requiring housing, debt or welfare support and it is great that they have now been recognised for the support they provide to their team of hardworking staff by paying a fair wage.

“According to the Living Wage Foundation, accredited employers have seen increased in employee productivity, greater staff retention, reduced sickness absence and improved levels of morale, motivation and commitment.

“Across North Ayrshire, 16% of employees are paid under the Living Wage highlighting the importance of other employers following in the footsteps of CHAP by ensuring their staff receive a wage they can live on. It is essential for companies to become accredited, joining the local living wage community and making fair wages the norm.”