New CAB manager brings wealth of experience

Tony Mackown took up his new post after his previous role as a debt case worker at the Worthing office of the CAB, following his initial training as a volunteer and debt advisor for the CAB in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Mr Mackown (60) is married with two adult children and three grandchildren and lives in Worthing, after moving from Lincolnshire to be closer to his family.

"A 400 mile round trip was getting a bit silly so we decided to move to the south coast about a year ago."

A former headteacher for 10 years, with 30 years experience in education, Mr Mackown took the opportunity for early retirement and became interested in the work of the CAB.

"I have always worked in the public sector and initially knew little about the CAB," said Mr Mackown who has now nearly seven years of experience with the organisation to his credit.

But with a mission to try and help people, Mr Mackown said: " like the vast majority of my colleagues in the CAB who say the same, I got hooked on it."

"Everybody is different and everybody's problem is different," he continued.

With a "significant" number of older people in the area, Mr Mackown says it brings with it "its own set of circumstances."

But he admits most of the problems are much the same with debt, creating the biggest burden for its clients followed by employment and benefit entitlements.

And he says that there are still many people who are unaware of the benefits they are entitled to.

"There are millions of pounds of unclaimed money sitting in the government coffers," he said.

With more than 11,000 client enquiries a year the Bognor CAB is certainly a busy place to be.

But with a good solid team of 50 volunteers, advisors, reception and administration staff and 11 employed part-timers, Mr Mackown is not complacent.

"We are always looking for volunteers," he said stressing that the CAB provides all the training and support needed to do the job. There are also opportunities for people to join the trustee board which technically manages the bureaux.

"We are always on the look-out for fresh blood and existing trustees are from all walks of life," said Mr Mackown.

As a charity relying on grants from local authorities Mr MacKown recognises the problems of running a very tight ship and the care taken over how the money is spent.

So when a bombshell hit the bureau recently that the office lights were not only sub-standard but also dangerous, Mr Mackown immediately began looking for help for the 1,700 needed to put the matter to rights.

So far the bureau is indebted to Rotary for coming to its aid and other appeals he said had gone out to parish councils, but more money is needed.

With his management and other skills gained from his previous jobs Mr Mackown brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his fulltime role.

"What we offer is a free and totally confidential service. Confidentiality is one of the main cornerstones of the organisation. We do not share our information with anyone," stressed Mr Mackown.

Now he is looking forward to a new initiative which is being launched this week which involves all nine CAB bureaux in the county. Working with West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council the bureaux is to appointing nine part-time welfare benefit outreach advisors to help in identifying older people and making them aware of their entitlements through pension credit, attendance allowance and other benefits.

"Elderly people are rightly so very proud, but it is not charity and purely an entitlement to help with finances," said Mr Mackown. The annual general meeting of the Bognor Regis CAB takes place on Friday, October 19, in the Baptist Church hall, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis.

For more information on the CAB which operates from the Bognor Regis Town Hall in Clarence Road, Tel 01243 820667.