The coronavirus pandemic has changed life for everyone. Advice charities are here for you.
Pro Bono Week 2020 – latest Media Release.
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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. | Shelter will continue to offer advice via their website, web chat and helpline. Eligible partners should use the NHAS professional advice line before referring clients directly to them where possible. The local hub continues to offer advice over the phone. | 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 | None at this time. | 03444 111444. For Universal Credit ‘Help to Claim’ 0800 1448444 | See locations for more information. By phone: call National CAB Adviceline: 0800 144 88 48 -Lines are open everyday 9.30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. -By email: fill in an email form (response time 2-3 working days) Universal Credit: They have Help to Claim advisers working in their offices. If you need help with a universal credit claim or have an issue before your first payment, contact the team by phone or webchat here. Consumer Issues: For consumer-related advice you can contact their consumer helpline: 0808 223 113 ) Scams Action – 0800 250 5050 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 | Diss , Thetford & District Citizens Advice closed for the period of the lockdown. If you need advice, you can call them on 0800 144 88 48 (Freephone) Monday – Friday, 9-5 or, E-Mail them via the e-mail enquiry form, which you can access using their website – www.cadat.org.uk in the ‘contact us’ section.’ | 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.