This is just a short update.
24th August 2020
What has been happening in my world?
At the start of this year things were looking pretty good for Savigar Services. I had secured an agreement with Equita Enforcement Agents to deliver added value to their clients requiring training or support using my skills and I was in the process of delivering some of this support to my local Council here in Cornwall. I was also in negotiations with another Council in the Midlands to help support a new project in relation to Rent arrears recovery. I had been approached by CIVICA to work with them and we were in the process of entering into a contractual agreement. Immediately before lock down I was in London where I had discussed and in principle agreed to support presentations for Policy in Practice and a colleague at the DWP. I was asked to speak at the IRRV Spring conference in Leeds and my diary was pretty full.
Needless to say all of these opportunities have had to go on the back burner. Debt recovery work was the first to stop and all conferences put on ice… During the early stages of lock down I was asked if I would be interested in working on a contract for Central Government as I had been recommended but unfortunately that didn’t work out.
Tom (19 year old at the time) had to return from college in the States and finish his first year studies online; Charlie (13 year old) was at home needing help with home study; Mollie (11 years old) also needed help with home study but also enjoyed her new found freedom at the stables with her horse Dusty. My wife is a key worker in our Community Hospital so I have been doing a lot of cooking, cleaning, gardening and painting.
I have kept my learning up to date maintaining regular contact with former colleagues in local authorities and by joining the IRRV Forum “Teams” conversations. I even applied for business support grant but due to the demand I was unsuccessful so I was one of the self employed that fell through all of the cracks and have much sympathy for those in a similar position.
One of my interests has always been photography and this down time has given me chance to upgrade some of my equipment and to learn some new skills which I have really enjoyed. I have also managed to up my game with my running and am on target to hit 1,000 miles for the year, having run almost every day through lock down.
I understand that times are tough in Local Government and potentially more difficult than ever but I am also sure that now is the time for some fundamental re-thinking of policy. How do we look at debt and how do we support our most vulnerable. Is our Council Tax Support Scheme fit for purpose. Do we have the right partners. I believe my skills in each of these areas are the right ones to support Council’s to answer these questions and with life returning to some kind of normality Savigar Services will be back in the market place.
If you need support please contact me for a conversation. 07737866921 or savigar.services@gmail.com