Help for those struggling financially

Earlier this week the Joseph Rowntree Foundation released a report which showed that over 1 in 5 people are now living in poverty, following the first sustained rises in child and pensioner poverty for two decades. Last weekend the entire board of the Government's social mobility commission quit at the lack of progress towards a “fairer Britain”.

This isn't just an issue for the inner cities. As Claire Young discussed on BBC's Sunday Politics West, isolation and lack of services are an extra challenge for those living in rural areas.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with financial difficulties, there is help available. The council have commissioned the South Gloucestershire Advice Services to provide a general advice service with specialist knowledge in the areas of welfare benefit and debt advice to representation at tribunals and information on services for older people. The five organisations that make up the partnership hold drop-ins across South Gloucestershire. You can find out more on the South Glos website.

Special Needs and Disability advice

Supportive Parents provides the Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service in South Gloucestershire, as well as Bristol and North Somerset.  They are an independent organisation offering free, confidential and impartial advice to parents, children or any young person aged 16 – 25, about SEND. You can find out more on their website.

Advice about money and debt

Did you know you can get advice about money and debt as well as council services at the Yate One Stop Shop? Talking Money and South Glos Council are working together to provide advice on issues including benefits, debt and housing. You can drop in between 2pm and 4pm on Thursdays and find out more about this and other services online.

Give your views on advice services

South Glos Council would like your views on the future shape of advice services in the area.

Currently this service is provided by a consortium of organisations from the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. The service gives residents access to general advice with a focus on welfare benefit and debt. The advice sessions are delivered in the Priority Neighbourhoods, focusing the provision in the areas of most need.

If you have used advice services in the past or have an interest in this area please complete the brief questionnaire for residents.