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Our CEO Joanna Young speaks with our Research and Campaigns Lead Caroline Robertson about this week's Budget. They break down the headlines and the jargon, discuss the good and the not so good, highlight what it means for you and what you can do if you need support.

Meet Lorna and Charlotte - two of our advisers at Citizens Advice North Lancashire. Lorna and Charlotte are our Citizens Representatives - find out more about what the role entails, the people they can support, how they work in the community, and what they do to relax.

When Life Gives You Lemons: Know Your Rights as a Renter Renting can feel like a game where the landlord knows all the rules and you're still hunting for the instructions. Good news: the rulebook just changed, and it's tipped a lot more in your favour. The Renters' Rights Act came into effect in May, and in this episode we sit down with Sammy Cooper, our Housing Adviser at Citizens Advice North Lancashire, to break down what it actually means for you. No jargon, no legal headaches, just a clear, friendly chat about what's changed, what your landlord can and can't do now, and how to stand up for yourself if something doesn't feel right. Sammy also walks us through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. What is it, who is it for, and how do you apply if you think you might need it? Spoiler: asking for help isn't a failure, it's just smart. Sammy explains it all in plain English. Whether you're in your first flat-share, deep into a tenancy, or just curious about where you stand, this one's for you. Press play, learn your rights, and make some lemonade. Need help with housing? Get in touch with Citizens Advice North Lancashire for free, independent advice.

This podcast short is part of our When Life Gives You Lemons series. It features our Advice Services Director Gully Trevena talking to our Research and Campaigns Lead Caroline Robertson about the Housing Crisis that we face in the UK. This was recorded before the Renters' Rights Act came into law. Citizens Advice North Lancashire is delighted that Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are gone, we're seeing an end to bidding wars and now landlords can only put the rent up once a year. For more information about the Renters' Rights Act and what it means for you, get in touch with us.

In this podcast short as part of our When Life Gives You Lemons series, we hear from our adviser Kara Cooper on her 2 year anniversary working at Citizens Advice North Lancashire! Kara talks about what she's learnt about Citizens Advice North Lancashire, what we do as a local charity, the people we help, and the importance of compassion, respect and treating one another with dignity at all time.

When Life Gives You Lemons. Podcast Short: Understanding Foodbanks In this episode of When Life Gives You Lemons, Citizens Advice North Lancashire CEO Joanna Young sits down with Foodbank Adviser Anthony Beech to unpack: what actually is a foodbank? Anthony walks listeners through the basics - how foodbanks work, who they're there for, and the everyday circumstances that can lead someone to need one, from a delayed benefit payment to a sudden job loss or unexpected bill. Joanna and Anthony discuss the vital role local foodbanks play in the Lancaster and Morecambe District, and how Citizens Advice North Lancashire works alongside partners like Morecambe Bay Foodbank to make sure people don't just get emergency food or school uniform support, but also the advice they need to tackle the underlying problem. The conversation aims to break down stigma around foodbank use, showing that reaching out for help is a practical step, and that support is available.

The stuff school forgot to teach you. In this podcast short, Citizens Advice North Lancashire adviser Lucy Young breaks down the basics on money, debt and budgeting, no jargon, no judgement, just the practical lowdown every 16-25 year old needs but rarely gets taught. From surviving the cost of living crisis to building habits that actually stick, Lucy shares the real-world money know-how that should've been on the curriculum all along.

We speak to two young people about growing up in Morecambe, their thoughts on the town, what they love about it and what could be improved.

For this episode we’re out and about! Why has Ian brought Joanna to the banks of the River Lune at Skerton to talk about the value of housing? The search for a stable, secure home is one of the fastest growing issues dealt with by Citizens Advice North Lancashire. Following benefits queries and issues linked to financial crisis, housing is third most common matter dealt with by volunteers who have to navigate a challenging - and changing - range of factors. New legislation is being debated but locally the proposed Eden project in Morecambe is already influencing the housing market in the area. In this edition we’ll hear from Gully Trevena, who leads the Citizens Advice service and specialises in housing matters. We’re also joined by Fiona Macleod, Housing Standards Manager at Lancaster City Council. Show notes: For details of housing advice from Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org/housing For information from Lancaster City Council: https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/housing/council-housing

Join Joanna and Rev Ian as they discuss the cost of living, budgeting, saving for the future and when life gives you lemons! When 1 in 6 people in the UK don't have any savings, now is the time to talk finances. Lots of us bury our heads in the sand, and with an ever changing economic landscape, whilst it may not be the most fun conversation to have, it's time to face our financial demons! We hear from expert financial adviser Annabel Lumsden from TPFinancialSolutions in Morecambe. tpfinancialsolutions.co.uk

How could changes to employment laws affect you and do you know your rights as they stand now? The world of work often results in queries for volunteers at North Lancashire Citizens Advice. Am I entitled to a break? Will I be paid during maternity leave? What if work is making me ill? These - and many more - are our bread and butter and among the topics discussed by Joanna and Ian in this podcast. We also hear from Asli Atay a senior policy advisor with the Work Foundation who have a base at Lancaster University. We’ll also learn how Joanna’s first job was well paid - but hard graft! https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-work-foundation/posts/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-harrison-4b31431a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-fitzmaurice-a6111a43/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/asli-atay-75b4a2103/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/lancaster-university/ X: https://x.com/WorkFoundation https://x.com/asliatayy https://x.com/LancasterUni Bluesky: @asliatay.bsky.social Show notes: 2 min A picturesque sounding first job for Joanna 3 mins Ian reveals working for a firm where orders came in via telex. 6 mins Asli Atay joins Ian and Joanna and explains more about the work of the Work Foundation. 8 mins job security has been quite stable over the past two decades 8’30” Joanna reveals over 500 clients have approached Citizens Advice North Lancashire with over 700 issues relating to employment. 9 mins Joanna explains the kind of issues which are brought to volunteers by clients looking for guidance. 9’30” Why transport is a factor when it comes to looking for work 10 mins How research is looking into the health of the labour market 11 mins Ian considers how the Bay area is affected by transport, good and bad. 13 mins Why the kind of job is important in keeping fit and healthy 14 mins Zero hour contracts; how will changes affect those who currently rely on these for work? 17 mins Why maternity matters are very relevant for our guest! 18 mins Which European countries have better maternity rights than the UK 19 mins Inequality case studies and why not all employers recognise the rights of their employees. 21 mins Ian questions how employers will view stronger worker protection. 24 mins Will people be able to expect to work fewer hours? 26 mins Tough question alert! Can you plan your work life? 29 mins The link between sickness and the world of work 32 mins Population health and the need for employers to play their part. 33 Summarising the interview Joanna and Ian look at what their highlights are. Bay Health Festivals Podcast referred to by Ian: Can a four-day week really work when it comes to business? We hear how one firm around the Bay has adopted it and consider the impact of looking after employee health and wellbeing. https://open.spotify.com/episode/70UCzbNWTXwlhj9Yy7cnVj?si=CNP1GQhMSI-HQ5PxqE5NhA Useful links: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/ https://www.tuc.org.uk/employment-status-and-rights https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/rights-trade-unions

Episode 3. Joanna and Frank As well as co-hosting When Life Gives You Lemons as Chief Executive of Citizens Advice North Lancashire, Joanna Young is also a proud older sister. With ten studio albums to his credit and a reputation for constantly touring, punk-folk singer Frank Turner is her little brother! He’s written songs and spoken widely about mental health including his own challenges. He’s also lost two close friends to suicide. But as anambassador for CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, he’s keen to discuss the issue to highlight the support that does exist. Joanna spoke to Frank who’s currently in the U.S. for this edition. He’s due to play a special benefit gig in Lancaster in spring - look out for more details on our social media channels. WARNING: This edition includes references to suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support call 0800 0130710. https://frank-turner.com/ Show notes: 1 min 43 second Frank’s involvement with CALM https://www.thecalmzone.net/frank-turner-talks-to-calm 4 mins How Frank’s mental health changed 6 mins Joanna asks how the music industry has affected his health. 9 mins Joanna and Frank consider how life affects mental health. 11 mins Frank explains how it struck him that being sent away to boarding school at a young age had a profound effect on his outlook on life. 12 mins 30 seconds Writing to Joanna begging for blank tapes! 15 mins 20” Losing close friend Josh. 25 mins Losing close friend Scott whose family began a support network in his name https://tinychanges.com/what-we-do/ 28 mins The pressure of social media scrutiny. 32 mins Fame isn’t real. 35 mins Writing songs about personal family life. 39 mins How much do we know about our brains and Frank’s decision to seek help with his mental health. 42 mins How support has helped and why he’s keen to share his experiences. 45 mins Reacting to praise for his work by fans who say it has helped them with life’s challenges. 47 mins Inspired to run thanks to Frank’s music 49 mins Why he believes physical activity can help lift mood.

Episode 2: Help Is Close Knowing how to find help when it comes to mental health and well being can be a challenge. In this edition of When Life Gives You Lemons hosts Joanna Young and the Rev Ian Dewar hear about Help Is Close, a Lancaster district-wide, mental health support campaign aimed at all ages. As well as organisations offering practical help it also lists groups who may help when it comes to maintaining good mental health - sports and social clubs, activity groups and more. In this edition we hear from Sarah Baines who’s leading the project. We also hear from Amy, Westmorland General Hospital’s Lead Chaplain who also works in the area’s mental health facilities, and in more detail from Ian who explains how in the NHS chaplains make a difference. Watch out for the Help Is Close posters, postcards and bags as well as the the Lancaster District Directory - https://directory.lancastercvs.org.uk / WARNING: This edition includes references to suicide. If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support call 0800 0130710. Show notes: 2 mins Lancaster’s mental health history 3 mins Introducing Sarah Baines from Help Is Close 5 mins Where the idea for Help Is Close came from. 7 mins The extent of support on offer including a dedicated number to help. 0800 0130710 8 mins Pubs, hairdressers, schools and other locations have been targeted to share help. 12 mins How being connected can help improve mental health. 17 mins Why there’s no shame in asking for help. 20 mins How connections around the Bay are making a difference. 22 mins Joanna thinks Ian has a tough job! 23 mins Meet Rev Amy Bland, Site Lead Chaplain for Westmorland General who also supports The Orchard mental health ward in Lancaster. 28 mins Hearing how playing games or getting a brew helps when it comes to keeping mental health well. 28 “Do you get paid for playing Rummikub…?!”

Episode 1. Brew Monday Feeling down or having low mood doesn’t just happen on Mondays in January. Our mental health can be tested at any time during the year. In this edition of When Life Gives You Lemons hosts Joanna Young and the Rev Ian Dewar hear more about what mental health actually means. Gemma Wright, Practice Development Nurse and Professional Nurse Advocate for the Bay area, works for Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust and offers an insight into mental health services as well as five practical tips for better mental health. We’re also joined by members of Citizens Advice North Lancashire’s specialist mental health team. Dave, Maria and Gully tell us more about the wide variety of people who come for help and reveal how they’ve managed to get debt worth £1.2m written off in less than a year. This edition is one of a mini-series of three we’ve produced for you covering the subject of mental health. Check out Help is Close and Joanna’s conversation with her musician brother Frank who has written about his own experiences of mental health. Also Gemma features in this podcast produced for The Bay HealthFestivals: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dewNRq62babaJtTQH95CP?si=r7LSdIgDStuf-UGUjQprIw If you live in Furness you may also enjoy this Bay Health Festival podcast about Mind In Furness who are developing an allotment on Walney as part of a scheme to promote better mental health: https://open.spotify.com/episode/42LkhcWY2QnR79e1e7w09D?si=MpsddT9jQZSu5qP-gYSmqw If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support call 0800 0130710. Show notes: 1 min 55” Is this podcast for me? 4 mins Meet Gemma Wright 6 mins How do mental health staff look after themselves? 11 mins The five steps to mental wellbeing 15 mins Meet Citizens Advice North Lancashire Mental Health Matters team: https://www.northlancashirecab.org.uk/news/where-can-i-get- help-with-my-mental-health 19 mins How patience pays off, we hear how one client managed to find a new lease of life after months of support. 33 mins Joanna and Ian consider how the Bay area has a wide range of support on offer.

Do you know your rights when it comes to the workplace?  How about sick pay, leave, maternity or paternity pay, zero-hour contracts, workplace bullying or harassment, and rubbish bosses? Joanna and Ian along with expert guests, discuss all this and more, to help make sure your working life is a happy one.