Canolfannau Covid yng Ngogledd Cymru yn cynnig cymorth i’r rhai sydd wedi’u taro waethaf

Covid hubs in North Wales offering support to the hardest hit

Mae canolfannau sy'n cynnig cymorth cyfannol i bobl y mae angen iddynt hunanynysu ac i'r rhai sy'n cael eu taro waethaf gan y pandemig yn cael eu cyflwyno mewn cynllun peilot ar draws pum ardal yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Mae’r Canolfannau Cymorth COVID yn cynnig cymorth ar unwaith gyda phrofion llif unffordd a chymorth i hunanynysu os oes angen. Maent hefyd yn cynnig cymorth tymor hwy i bobl a allai fod yn ei chael hi'n anodd prynu bwyd neu dalu rhent, i gael mynediad at wasanaethau, rheoli dyled neu’n cael trafferthion o ran talu biliau cyfleustodau.

Mae'r cynllun peilot yn rhan o raglen Profi, Olrhain, Diogelu Cymru, sy'n cynnig ‘Diogelu’ estynedig a thymor hwy mewn cymunedau difreintiedig yng Ngogledd Cymru. Mae'n dwyn ynghyd Bwrdd Iechyd Betsi Cadwaladr, Awdurdodau Lleol, y sector gwirfoddol a grwpiau cymunedol i gefnogi cymunedau mewn amrywiaeth o ardaloedd.

Mae'r dull aml-bartner hwn yn golygu y gellir cynnig cymorth ychwanegol yn ôl y galw, hyd yn oed os yw pobl yn cael canlyniad negatif am COVID-19 ac nad yw'n ofynnol iddynt hunanynysu. Er enghraifft, gallai’r cymorth gynnwys cyfeirio at fudd-daliadau, darparu gwybodaeth am fanciau bwyd a gwasanaethau bwyd cost isel, a rhoi cyngor ar gyllidebu.

Lansiwyd y ganolfan beilot gyntaf yng Nghaergybi ym mis Mai, a gwelwyd 59 o bobl yn ystod y 9 diwrnod cyntaf. Cyngor ar Bopeth Ynys Môn yw'r sefydliad arweiniol, gyda mewnbwn gan amrywiaeth o bartneriaid i ddarparu cymorth ychwanegol o ran darparu bwyd, sgiliau digidol a mynediad at gymorth iechyd meddwl.

Mae'r cynllun hefyd bellach ar waith ym Mangor a Dinbych, a disgwylir i ganolfannau agor ym Mhlas Madoc (ger Wrecsam) a Sir y Fflint yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn.

Dywedodd Eluned Morgan, y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol:

“Rwy'n falch o weld bod y cynllun peilot hwn ar waith yng Ngogledd Cymru a'i fod eisoes yn sicrhau canlyniadau cadarnhaol.

“Mae'n hanfodol bod pobl yn hunanynysu os ydyn nhw'n cael canlyniad positif am COVID-19 er mwyn atal y feirws rhag lledaenu yn ein cymunedau. Mae Profi, Olrhain, Diogelu wedi bod yn hynod effeithiol o ran cefnogi pobl sydd wedi cael canlyniad positif a'u cysylltiadau i ynysu a darparu cyngor, arweiniad a chefnogaeth. Mae'n bwysig ein bod yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn mentrau fel hyn i gefnogi pobl i hunanynysu pan fo angen.

“Mae'r cynllun peilot hwn hefyd yn dangos manteision ffordd o weithio mewn partneriaeth sy'n cyrraedd y rhai sy'n aml yn anodd eu cyrraedd. Mae’n agor amrywiaeth o wasanaethau iddynt i leddfu pryderon a straen mewn rhannau eraill o'u bywydau, gan ddarparu cymorth y mae mawr ei angen i bobl ar adeg eithriadol o anodd.”

Nodiadau i olygyddion

Notes to Editors:

The six types of support offered by the hubs are:

Lateral Flow Testing

LFD availability linked to the extended family of school-age children.
To working individuals who require assurance as part of a “stay safe” initiative.
To key workers who use public transport or have concerns about their Covid status.

Extended food offer

Emergency need: To provide an initial food offer via to maintain self-isolation
Poverty need: to provide access to food to address food poverty as result of impact of Covid.

Fuel poverty

To work with and refer to Energy Wardens and other fuel poverty initiatives for advice and assistance around energy and fuel poverty.
To work with Warm Wales to support their local programme.
Emergency top-up

Financial Inclusion

To work with and refer to Citizens Advice in the relevant counties
Additional capacity to support with benefits uptake, benefits check, debt management
(Income Maximisation Plan)

Mental health support:

Focus on mental health awareness
Securing local counselling services

Digital connectivity:

Provision of Chromebooks or tablet.
Connection to the internet / PAYG data package
One to One digital assistance

Available for Interview:

Jackie Blackwell

Chief Executive, Ynys Mon Citizens Advice

Welsh speaker also available on request

Case Study 1 (*Names have been changed to protect identity)

Steffan* is single and of working age but recently had to terminate his to employment due to illness. He lives alone, and recently made a claim for Universal Credit. He served in the Army for four years and recently worked installing underfloor heating. He now suffers Raynaud’s Disease (white fingers) which he believes is a direct result of working with vibrating machinery, and wanted assistance to claim any health-related benefits he may be entitled to.

Steffan came into the Holyhead office of Anglesey Citizens Advice to pick up Lateral Flow Tests as he had seen advertised. Whilst at the office he stated he had heard about a benefit relating to workplace injuries / diseases (Industrial Injury Benefit)

Citizens Advice spoke to Steffan regarding Industrial Injuries' Disability Benefit (IIDB), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), and explained that Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit would be seen as income with Universal Credit and taken £ for £ off his award. Where Personal Independence Payment is not seen as such. But there are other reasons to apply as the benefit could provide National Insurance Contributions for contribution based benefits for future benefit/pension claims and in the event of finding new work.

Citizens Advice also explained that there are specific funds/benefits that can be claimed that are only for veterans, and followed this up on email with detailed links to further information.

Steffan is now able to make an informed decision on which benefits to claim which will in turn increase his income dramatically. He will not have to worry about finances and how to cope without work which will relieve additional pressure and stress.

Quote - “Thank you so much. I wouldn’t have known where to start with claiming these benefits”

Case Study 2 (*Names have been changed to protect identity)

Helen* is single and lives with her 17-year-old son in council housing. She is impacted by the under occupation rules and needs to pay “bedroom tax”. She has a history of poor engagement with the local office and other support services, and has previously been advised by the local food bank that she will be allowed food bank only on the basis that she engages with debt and budgeting advice.

Helen came into the Holyhead office of Anglesey Citizens Advice to pick up Lateral Flow Tests as she had seen advertised. She was struggling to manage her living expenses because her Discretionary Housing Payment (that meets the shortfall between rent and housing benefit) had ended and she was left without any money to buy food.

Citizens Advice arranged a food bank and for Helen to receive a one-month free subscription to “Bwyd Da Mon” where she will receive a weekly package with £20 worth of food (fresh, frozen, tins, packets). Once the free month trial comes to an end, she then has the option of subscribing to the service for a weekly fee of £5 a month, in return for £20 worth of good quality food. This service will save her £15 a week, enabling her to pay the “bedroom tax” and move from a deficit to a balanced budget. Helen had no food at home for her or her son so was extremely grateful for the immediate food bank arrangement.

Quote - “That’s brilliant – this scheme will help a lot; I won’t have to worry about not having food on the table now.”