Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck has launched a new Advice Bus which will provide vulnerable residents with access to free advice and support.
Officially declared open by The Mayor of Swanage, Cllr Tina Foster and The Deputy Mayor of Swanage, Cllr Chris Moreton at Swanage Market, which is one of the weekly bus stop locations. The Advice Bus will deliver a service to those who cannot easily access existing outreaches or are digitally excluded.
The cost of living crisis has resulted in a big increase in the number of people needing advice. In 2022, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck helped over 5,000 local residents with advice issues and this number is expected to rise further.
Katrina Ford, Business Development Manager, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck said: “The Advice Bus will visit locations across East Dorset and Purbeck reaching residents who are unable to access current services due to rural isolation, restricted mobility, cost of fuel or limited access to public transport.”
Katrina continues: “We are most worried about those on the lowest incomes including the elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged with many struggling to pay every day bills. Our Advisers on the bus will be able to provide general advice and support which is free and there is no need to book an appointment. Other voluntary sector organisations will be joining us at some locations to provide additional support services.”
The Advice Bus will be stopping at the following locations on a weekly basis:
- Monday, 10am-12pm, Colehill Village Hall
- Tuesday, 10am-12pm ,Verwood (The Hub)
- Tuesday, 1pm-3pm, West Moors (Parkway Car Park)
- Wednesday, 10am-12pm, Corfe Mullen (St Nicholas Church)
- Thursday, 10am-12pm, The D’Uberville Centre, Wool
- Thursday, 1pm-3pm, Bovington (The Hive)
- Friday, 10am-12pm, Swanage Market (Main Beach Car Park)
For more information about the Advice Bus visit
www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/advice-bus
Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck is able to offer free advice and support on a range of different issues include, debt, benefits, energy, employment and housing. To speak to an Adviser, call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 or visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk
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For more information contact: Sian Smith, Comms Officer, [email protected]
Photo: Citizens Advice Launch Mobile Advice Bus
From left to right: Cllr Chris Moreton, Deputy Mayor of Swanage; Helen Goldsack, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck with Cllr Tina Foster, The Mayor of Swanage
About Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck have offices in Wareham and Wimborne with outreach clinics throughout East Dorset and Purbeck.
We provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to enable them to find a way forward whatever problems they face. We value diversity, promote equality, challenge discrimination wherever we see it and aim to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. Visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk for more information.
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck is a registered charity, charity number: 1068414
