The Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens while freeing up the time of medical practitioners, by embedding expert advice at places of healthcare.

The expert advisers will be available to help in:

• Slamannan Health Centre
• Bo’ness Road Medical Practice
• Denny Cross Medical Practice
• Bonnybank Medical Practice
• Banknock Health Centre
• Meeks Road Surgery

Supporting people with money worries, welfare advisors help identify the right financial support and ensure local people are getting the benefits they are entitled to.

Since the project began in February, more than 40 local people have benefited from income maximisation and debt negotiation services. Health centres benefit too – with one GP claiming that almost half of their workload was taken up by the socioeconomic issues of patients.

It’s thought the new partnerships will generate around £39 of social and economic benefits for every £1 invested.
The new partnership working coincides with Challenge Poverty Week – an opportunity to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland and demonstrate collective action.

It’s a cause that’s close to the heart of Falkirk Council money advisor David Gardner, he said: “Challenging poverty is the responsibility of everyone, all the time. As a money advisor my mission is to make sure everyone in our community knows that we are here to help.

“We firmly believe in building a fairer Falkirk, one that caters to the needs of children, families, and every resident – but especially those living in poverty. I would encourage anyone struggling to seek us out, because I know how many people we’ve given life-changing help to.”