South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 12/05/2014

You can drop in to the One Stop Shops at any time during opening hours and speak to one of our highly trained customer care officers who will be able to assist you with help and advice for a large variety of council services. Several partner organisations also hold specialist surgeries that are based in the One Stop Shops on specific days and times, with the latest additions presented by North Bristol Advice Centre and Talking Money.

North Bristol Advice Centre are running weekly drop-in sessions at the One Stop Shops in Patchway and Kingswood offering free, professional, confidential advice and information on topics ranging from welfare benefits and debt to housing and employment. You can find them at Patchway One Stop Shop on Tuesdays from 9.15am to 11.30am and Kingswood One Stop Shop on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 11.30am. Customers will be seen on a first come, first serve basis and should bring proof of income (wage slips or bank statements) and any paperwork related to the matter they would like to discuss.

Drew Huskisson, Advice Team Manager at North Bristol Advice Centre, said: “Our drop-in service is open to anyone in the community who needs advice, no matter the size of the query. Our highly experienced advisers specialise in welfare benefits and debt, but can also help with basic housing and employment issues. If you need advice on an area we don’t cover, we can refer you to an agency that does.”

Talking Money provide free independent debt advice, energy advice and financial education, and are running weekly drop-in sessions at Yate’s One Stop Shop every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. No appointment is necessary, customers will be seen on a first come, first served basis.

Tamra Mannin, Service Manager at Talking Money, said: “We urge anyone struggling with debt to come and see one of our specialist money advisors. We can help you to understand your legal rights and options, carry out casework on your behalf, and reduce stress and worry. Our advice is free, independent and confidential.”

These two new surgeries join the existing services available in South Gloucestershire’s One Stop Shops. Community benefit officers can help with claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax reduction, complicated enquiries and claims where you’ve had a change in circumstances. The service is available by appointment only at Kingswood One Stop Shop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Yate One Stop Shop every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and Patchway One Stop Shop every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. To make an appointment please visit the One Stop Shops or call 01454 868002.

Orchard & Shipman provide a housing advice service for local residents, offering advice and information to help you keep or find a home. The service is available at Kingswood One Stop Shop every Tuesday from 9.30am to 12pm, Yate One Stop Shop every Wednesday from 9am to 12pm and Patchway One Stop Shop every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm. These are drop-in sessions where customers will be seen on a first come, first served basis.

For more information contact 01454 868009 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/onestopshops or www.southglos.gov.uk/facebook (access is free from your local library)