Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck is celebrating the first anniversary of its Advice Bus, having helped over 1000 residents with free advice and support.
The service is provided five days a week by two Advisers and in its first year, has supported over 1000 residents, with over 300 of these being brand new to our service. Common issues include debt, benefits and housing.
Katrina Ford, Business Development Manager, Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck, said: “In these challenging times, local communities are really welcoming of the bus service. It has given much needed support to those who live in rurally isolated communities and who may not necessarily have been able to access existing services. In some cases, it’s been a lifeline to people, as shown in our example case study.”
Katrina adds: “As an independent charity, we rely upon grants and donations to fund our service. It costs £40,000 to run the Advice Bus for a year. We would love to hear from any business, organisation or individuals who would be willing to support us.”
Advice Bus Case Study
Help was given to a resident because the Advice Bus visited his community. He couldn’t access existing office and outreach services due to mental health issues.
‘Initially, it took a number of weeks for the client to visit the bus although he had been in the vicinity several weeks prior to this. He would hide if other people were around and it would be difficult for the Advisers to locate him, almost as if he had the courage to come but this was lost if other people are around.
Over four months he developed a trusting relationship with the advisers so is able to attend without fear or judgement. He is able to openly describe the difficulties he is facing.
The client does not answer his phone so a weekly bus service means that he can retain contact and remain engaged with Citizens Advice. This has also meant that the actions placed on the client can be broken down into small manageable steps.’
The Advice Bus stops at locations across East Dorset & Purbeck including:
East Dorset: Colehill, Corfe Mullen, Sixpenny Handley, St Leonards & St Ives, Sturminster Marshall, Three Legged Cross, Verwood and West Moors
Purbeck: Bovington, Corfe Castle, Lytchett Matravers, Swanage, Winfrith and Wool
Visit our website for Advice Bus days, times and addresses www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/advice-bus
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Photo Caption: Staff and Volunteers from Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck Celebrate Advice Bus First Birthday
About Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck have offices in Wareham and Wimborne with outreaches throughout East Dorset and Purbeck.
Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck is able to offer free advice and support on a range of different issues include, debt, benefits, employment, housing and relationships. Call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 or visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck is a registered charity, charity number: 1068414
