CHAP

01/09/2026

Our series of posts with our pals at Ayrshire Independent Living Network - AILN continues!

Have you ever thought about working for yourself while making a real difference in your community?

Many people don't realise they could turn their skills, experience or hobbies into a small business that supports others. These are known as microenterprises - small, local businesses that provide personalised support to people in their communities.

Whether it's helping with shopping, housework, attending appointments, providing companionship, respite or other forms of support, a microenterprise gives you the flexibility to work when it suits you, set your own rates and build a business around your strengths.

AILN's Microenterprise Support Service can help you explore your ideas and guide you through the process of setting up your own business. You'll receive practical advice, encouragement and ongoing support to help you get started with confidence.

If you've ever wondered whether self-employment could be right for you, have a conversation with AILN. You might discover an opportunity you never knew existed.

📞 To find out more, contact AILN on 07469 015276 or email: [email protected]

Microenterprise - AILN

28/08/2026

💬 Feedback Friday

At CHAP, we believe that good advice is about more than just finding solutions. It’s about listening, understanding and making sure each person feels supported along the way.

We’re incredibly grateful to receive feedback like this. Knowing that someone has had such a positive experience with our team always means a great deal to us.

🙌 Thank you to our client for taking the time to share their kind words.

If you need a helping hand with housing, benefits, or money/debt issues, please get in touch.

📞 Freephone 030 0002 0002

Our fully accredited service is free, impartial, and confidential.

25/08/2026

💡You Don't Know What You Don't Know!

We continue our weekly series of posts with our friends from Ayrshire Independent Living Network - AILN.

Today we're highlighting an important aspect that can sometimes be overlooked or misunderstood - payroll responsibilities.

If you employ your own Personal Assistant through Self-directed Support, you're technically an employer - which comes with payslips, tax, pension contributions and all the admin that nobody warns you about.

AILN's dedicated payroll service handles that side of things, so managing your own support doesn't turn into a second job in paperwork.

📞 To find out more, call AILN on 01294 475681 or visit https://ailn.org

21/08/2026

💬 Feedback Friday

When life feels overwhelming, having someone who will listen, understand and help you work through things can make a real difference.

At CHAP, our advisers are here to support people through difficult circumstances without judgement.

You don’t have to work everything out on your own. Whatever you’re facing, we’re here to help you find a way forward.

Thanks to our client for sharing their experience with us 🙌

If you need a helping hand with housing, benefits, or money/debt issues, please get in touch.

📞 Freephone 030 0002 0002

Our fully accredited service is free, impartial, and confidential.

18/08/2026

We continue our weekly series of You Don't Know What You Don't Know posts with our friends from Ayrshire Independent Living Network - AILN.

Today, we're looking at Choosing and managing a Personal Assistant!

Employing your own personal assistant through Self-directed Support can sound complicated - especially if you’re not familiar with it.

AILN supports people through the entire process, including finding the right PA, understanding your responsibilities as an employer, and what to do if things don't work out.

📞 To find out more, call AILN on 01294 475685/6 or visit: https://ailn.org/

18/08/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that CHAP is part of Family Forward Ayrshire - a new partnership bringing five organisations together to support families across North, East and South Ayrshire.

Funded by the Scottish Government, we're working alongside CEIS Ayrshire, The Ayrshire Community Trust, East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau and Megan's Space to make it easier for families to access the support they need - without having to navigate a maze of different services.

At CHAP, we know that problems rarely exist in isolation. A family struggling financially may also be dealing with housing difficulties, worries about employment or concerns about their wellbeing. Having expert organisations working together means we can look beyond the immediate problem and help connect people with the wider support that could make a lasting difference.

We’re particularly pleased to be bringing CHAP’s experience in money, debt, benefits and housing advice to the partnership, while also being able to draw on the expertise of our fellow organisations.

Family Forward Ayrshire is free and confidential, and no referral is needed. Families will have a named Family Navigator to help them work out what support would be most useful and bring the right organisations together around them.

To find out more, please follow the Family Forward Ayrshire page for updates and information about accessing support.

https://ceisayrshire.co.uk/family-forward-ayrshire/

One relationship. One plan.

17/08/2026

At CHAP, their experienced welfare rights advisers can carry out a free, confidential benefits check to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you might be eligible for.

Whether your circumstances have recently changed, or you've never had a benefits check before, it's always worth going through the process - it's straightforward and can even be carried out over the phone in approx. 15 mins.

We can also assist with filling in claim application forms.
Call us on Freephone 030 0002 0002 or visit: www.chap.org.uk

Check you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to!

We provide 18 benefits to help people across Scotland, including financial support for families, carers and disabled people.

You may be entitled to payments such as:

• Scottish Child Payment – £28.20 per week for every eligible child under 16
• Carer Support Payment – up to £86.45 per week for unpaid carers
• Disability Payments – up to £114.60 per week for those who need extra help

14/08/2026

Feedback Friday

We know that paperwork and forms can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with a difficult situation.

That’s why our advisers are here to make things a little easier. We can take the time to go through forms with you, explain what’s needed and make sure you have the support you need.

Thank you to our client for sharing their experience with us.

If you need a helping hand with housing, benefits, or debt issues, please get in touch on Freephone 030 0002 0002

Our fully accredited service is free, impartial, and confidential.

11/08/2026

💡 You Don't Know What You Don't Know!

Self-directed Support is the law that gives you choice and control over your social care... in theory. Often, people only find out about it by accident!

At Ayrshire Independent Living Network - AILN, they help people understand what SDS actually means for them: the options, the paperwork, the decisions nobody explains properly the first time. It's what they exist to do.

If social care is part of your life, or could be in the near future, get in touch with AILN so you’re not choosing in the dark.

📞 To find out more, call AILN on 01294 475685/6

11/08/2026

If you care for more than one disabled person, you may be eligible for additional support. If you need assistance with applying, we're here to help. Call us on Freephone 030 0002 0002.