After 20 Years North Shore’s Beneficiary Advocacy Service Needed Now More Than Ever

After twenty years of operation the Beneficiary Advocacy and Information Service (BAIS) is still in demand on the North Shore. BAIS, located at the Glenfield Community Centre, has seen the number of requests for help double over the past year with 2900 people seeking assistance from the service.

BAIS invites the public to attend its twenty year anniversary celebration and AGM where they are seeking feedback about the impact of the welfare reforms on the community. The growing demand for beneficiary advocacy services will be discussed in depth.

Senior Advocate Pam Apera says: “We have seen an increase in the number of people being refused food grants from WINZ, people being turned down for help paying their bonds and most disturbingly I have even encountered young women who feel that they have no option but to turn to prostitution in order to live.

“Families and individuals on the North Shore are really hurting. People are trying to find employment but there simply aren’t any jobs. I’ve been working as an advocate on the North Shore for over 14 years and this is one of the worst times I have seen it.”

BAIS Chairperson Paula Gillon says: "The number of people seeking help and support from BAIS has grown to an extent that we are now exploring the options of having satellite services across Auckland. The service that BAIS provides is in huge demand. We don't advertise and yet we support up to three thousand people a year. This proves that the need for beneficiary advocacy within our community is astounding. People are really suffering.”

ENDS