A crisis with no means to avert, the cost of living is threatening the welfare of those most in need. Fortunately, there are people to help…

Lea-Anne Clayton is a senior support and information officer for the Big Local South Bermondsey Partnership. Being responsible for a major welfare hub in the heart of Southwark, Lea-Anne is in charge of overseeing the daily operations of the benefits support service, which places her in a position to help those often in dire situations. Having been in the position for just over five years, Lea-Anne has noticed a drastic rise in benefit related cases as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Q: As a senior support and information officer, what does your job involve?

A: I help people understand the benefits which they are entitled to and help them go about the ways in which they can attain them, providing them a better quality of living at times.

Q: What got you into this line of work?

A: Since the Conservative government came into power in 2010, more and more people have been placed in positions of extreme hardship. I was able to take part in creating a charitable organisation set up a welfare and benefits advice hub for the local community. 

Q: What are some of the challenges you have faced during your time at Big Local?

A: I work with such a large number of clients facing varying levels of hardship. I have to find the balance between empathic and professional when working with my clients.

Q: Do you deem your practice to have been successful over the last five years?

A: When it comes to my track record of working with clients, I have a 100% success rate when supporting clients with benefits appeal processes. In one instance I was able secure a back payment to the sum of £23,000 for one client alone.

Q: With this being said, is there anything you would like to do moving forward and if so, what might that be?

A: I would like to have greater power in the way I am able to help people in this career pathway. I aim to do a masters in welfare law to further represent those in need.

If you or anyone you may know are in need of welfare or benefit related advice, Lea-Anne can be found at Big Local Works at the Bermondsey centre or reached via email and telephone.