The coronavirus pandemic has changed life for everyone. Advice charities are here for you.
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The charities listed here provide free, quality impartial advice in the following areas: welfare benefits, housing, debt, immigration, family law, employment law, general (non-criminal) law, discrimination, consumer rights and domestic abuse. We work in partnership together to make sure that people can access advice as soon as they need it.
| Charity | Remit | Criteria | Face to Face Service | Phone | Email/Web Chat/Social Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age UK Norwich | Offers help and advice about benefits, housing, debt, money, lasting power of attorney, social care and support. Other services available include telephone befriending and activities. | Aged 50 and over, including carers and families. Norwich area only | None at this time. | 01603 496333 | enquiries@ageuknorwich.org.uk @AgeUKNorwich |
| Age UK Norfolk | Offers help and advice about benefits, housing, debt, money, lasting power of attorney, social care and support. Other services available include telephone befriending and activities. | Aged 50 and over including carers and families Excludes Norwich. | None at this time. | 0300 5001217 | advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk@AgeUKNorfolk |
| Shelter | Housing advice including tenancies, private/social housing, evictions, contracts, and homelessness. | None. | None at this time. | 03445 151860 | norfolk@shelter.org.uk @ShelterEasternC |
| Equal Lives | Disability rights organisation led by disabled people. Areas include: Debt, employment, welfare benefits, discrimination | For people with mental and/or physical disabilities | None at this time. | 01508 491210 | info@equallives.org.uk @equallives.org |
| MAP | Housing, money and benefits. Employment, education and training. Being a young parent. Relationships, sex and sexual health. Gender identity. Mental health. Drugs and alcohol | For 11-25 year olds | Limited by appointment only for those who cannot access services digitally. Employment, education and training available at Norwich and Great Yarmouth by appointment. | 0800 0744454 – for young people only | advice@map.uk.net – for young people @mapyoungpeople |
| Norfolk Community Law Service | Offers free, confidential and independent legal advice to people in Norfolk who might not otherwise be able to access legal assistance. Areas include: employment law, family law, general law, discrimination, domestic abuse, debt, immigration and welfare benefits (appeals and tribunals only) | Does not advise on criminal law (unless relating to Domestic Abuse) | None at this time. | 01603 496623 or 07900 153753. Mobile also uses WhatsApp | info@ncls.co.uk Twitter: @NCLawService Facebook:@NorfolkCLS |
| Norfolk Citizens Advice | Broad range of advice including debt, benefit checks, housing, employment | Excludes Diss and Thetford areas | Preparing for your visit Dereham – Open on Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays triage service 10 – 12 with limited appointment system for those who cannot access the service digitally. Holt – Open on Tuesday and Fridays 10.00 am – 1.00 pm advisers will be available to process a ring-back service. To access the service clients will be asked to write their name and phone number on a piece of paper, post it through the office letter box and one of our advisers will try and ring them back. After 3 attempts the details will be destroyed. During the ring-back the client will be assessed and may be referred to one of our other services. We may run a triage service through the window for those clients who have no telephone. Kings Lynn – Open Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays, 10 – 12 triage system, 1 -3pm appointment only for those who cannot access the service digitally North Walsham – Open daily from 10 -12 for triage system, 1pm to 3pm appointments only for those who cannot access the service digitally. Norwich – Open daily from 10-12 for triage system, 1 – 3pm appointments only for those who cannot access the service digitally. Watton – Open Wednesdays 10 -12 for triage system, 1 – 3pm appointments only for those who cannot access the service digitally Wymondham – Open Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 -12 for triage system, 1 -3pm appointments only for those who cannot access the service digitally. | 03444 111444. For Universal Credit ‘Help to Claim’ 0800 1448444 | www.ncab.org.uk and click ‘email advice’. Webchat available via website. Twitter: @CAB_Norfolk Facebook: @NorfolkCAB |
| Diss and Thetford Citizens Advice | Broad range of advice including debt, benefit checks, housing, employment | Diss and Thetford area only | Reduced face-to-face service at Diss by appointment only | 03444 111444 For Universal Credit ‘Help to Claim’ 0800 1448444 | Web: www.cadat.org.uk Email: dissadviser@cadat.org.uk or advice.thetford@cadat.org.uk Twitter: @DissThetfordCA Facebook: DissThetfordCA |
| The Bridge Plus+ | Provides services that range across employment, equality, housing, immigration, and welfare benefits. | Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Norwich and surrounding areas. | None at this time. | 01603617076 | Web: http://www.bridgeplus.org.uk Email: office@bridgeplus.org.uk Facebook: thebridgeplus |
The Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN) is made up of accredited and affiliate member organisations, including social welfare advice agencies and the wider voluntary, public and private sectors.
Through partnership working we are pleased to have built a strong, effective and inclusive network of advice agencies. We aim to continue to:
- Improve access to free, high-quality social welfare advice.
- Ensure quality and best practice.
- Enhance partnership working and collaboration.
- Identify and reduce gaps in provision.
- Provide strategic and policy expertise.