Specialist services offer independent advice and guidance for residents

Two new information and advice services for people living in Worcestershire have recently been launched by Worcestershire County Council. 

Starting on October 1, two services have been offering free, impartial and confidential support to residents. 

The services are helping to support residents through issues like housing, benefits, debt, as well as understanding and accessing care and support services. 

The general community advice service for all residents is delivered by Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN), led by Citizens Advice Worcester and Herefordshire in partnership with six other local providers. They are an experienced and long-standing, accredited information and advice provider of the council. 

There is also a new sensory impairment specialist information and advice service called ‘Sensory Matters’ led by Sight Concern Worcestershire.  This service is aimed at providing and facilitating access to information and advice to residents with sensory impairments including those who are D/deaf, blind, visually impaired, Deafblind, or experiencing dual sensory loss.

These services are supporting the delivery of the council’s statutory requirements to provide information and advice as outlined in the Care Act (2014). 

Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Communities said: “The commissioning of the two services for advice and guidance are part of our mission to help all Worcestershire residents maintain their independence, good health and wellbeing. The new service has expanded our offering to include specialist help for those with sensory impairments.” 

Anne Eyre, Chief Executive Officer of Sight Concern Worcestershire added: "Sight Concern Worcestershire is delighted to be working with Worcestershire County Council to deliver Sensory Matters, a new service to provide people with a sensory impairment the information, advice and guidance they need.  As a local charity with many years of experience of supporting people with sensory impairments, we are really looking forward to supporting even more people across Worcestershire".

Geraint Thomas, Chief Officer for Worcestershire Advice Network said: “As a partnership, WAN welcomes the five-year commitment Worcestershire County Council has made for Community Advice Services in Worcestershire and is honoured to have been successful in securing the contract to deliver these services.

Our client surveys show that many residents still need support in person or over the telephone as they are unable to manage their issues through online means. 

Worcestershire County Council's funding for the 'multi channel' Community Advice Services is therefore essential given the pressures on all Worcestershire residents, as a result of the 'cost of living' crisis and in particular for the most vulnerable and 'the seldom seen,' to ensure that they are able to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence."

Get in contact

If you, or someone you know would benefit from some support from either of these services you can contact them using these details:

• phone: Sensory Matters on 01905 723245
• text: 07860022957
• email: sensorymatters@sightconcern.co.uk
• address: The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester WR1 1LH.
• website: Worcestershire Advice Network