Money Matters has had a dedicated Welfare Rights Officer providing advice in North Ayrshire secondary schools since 2021.
The service has been a huge success and has put more than £1m into the bank accounts of families during this time.
The project has expanded, with an additional two Welfare Rights Officers joining the team. This has enabled the team to offer advice to all parents and carers with children in any education establishment, including early years, primary and secondary.
The three Welfare Rights Officers Audrey, Callum and Silvia are now split across the localities and referrals can be made direct to the officer by phone/email (detailed below) or via the contact us form.
Audrey Ritchie: Welfare Rights Officer (Irvine and Kilwinning)
Mobile: 07799 075426
Email: audreyritchie@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Callum McMichael: Welfare Rights Officer (Three Towns and extended outreach)
Mobile: 07392190128
Email: callummcmichael@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Silvia Campbell (Garnock Valley, North Coast and Islands)
Mobile: 07385685092
Email: silviacampbell@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Part of the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Financial Inclusion service, each of the Welfare Rights Officers can provide support directly in early years, primary and secondary schools to help families to claim welfare benefits they are entitled to and provide support for those who may be struggling.
The newest addition working for 6 months now as a Welfare Rights Officer for North Ayrshire is Silvia Campbell. She shares: “In 2025 we are hoping to make a huge difference to the lives of families who may be struggling.
“For me, empowering people in North Ayrshire with benefits advice, to place them in the best financial situation possible is what Welfare Rights is all about.
“I know I am doing a good job when my clients tell me they no longer have to choose between food and heating.”
Her colleague Audrey Ritchie adds: “As Welfare Rights Officer’s we are passionate about advising and supporting clients to navigate what we know can be a complicated system. The work we do is all about making a positive difference every day,”
With Callum McMichael who has been with Money Matters for 8 months now adding: “The job we do is immensely rewarding but we can’t do it alone. As the Cost-of-Living crisis continues, we are urging staff to help raise our profile to ensure that noone is left behind.
“We are here on-hand right across our six localities, ready to help families who are finding it difficult to understand what they are entitled to.
“If you or your team work directly with school age children or families and you’d like to find out more about the service, make a referral, or if you wish the Welfare Rights Officer to come along to your team meeting to discuss what we can offer, please get in touch via: welfarerightsinschools@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Watch the video to hear from Welfare Rights Officer Audrey Ritchie share more about the service.
Our Welfare Rights Officer’s can visit schools and early years centres to:
- Complete a full benefits check
- Confirm the benefits people are entitled to
- Help to make a claim for benefits
- Help to dispute benefit decisions
- Help to dispute benefit sanctions
- Provide appeal representation if required
- Complete a referral to partner agencies for debt, budgeting or fuel advice.
Please encourage parents and carers you are working with to contact the team if they are:
- On a low income
- Caring for someone
- Unable to work due to sickness/disability/recently had a baby
- Facing a change in circumstances
- In crisis, destitute or have been made unemployed
- Experiencing a reduction in earnings
- Being refused a benefit or had a reduction
- Or in need of advice of support on any other matter relating to state benefits
Find out more about the Money Matters team on the Health and Social Care website.
“The gain isn’t just about finances (which is a wonderful help and a huge weight off my mind) but the main gain for me was to be able to leave a toxic workplace and no longer stress and panic over trying to cover school holidays, sick days. I am much happier and less stressed as I’m here fully for all 3 children now which has made the kids all feel happier.”Parent supported by the Money Matters service in schools.
