Advice North Somerset was originally set up as part of a two-year Advice Services Transition Fund project, funded by the Big Lottery. The aim of the project was to set up an advice partnership in North Somerset to develop the advice services in the challenging climate of cuts to Legal Aid and changes brought in by Welfare Reform.
The original partnership was led by Citizens Advice North Somerset with Age UK Somerset, Alliance Homes and North Somerset BME Network.
Since October 2015 Advice North Somerset has continued, guided by a Steering Group led by Citizens Advice North Somerset.
Advice North Somerset’s aim is to create a partnership in the advice sector that will strengthen the relationship with key public sector bodies to “join up” advice services. Many clients that require the help of one service can also have issues that go beyond the remit of one organisation.
What this partnership strives to achieve is a “one stop” approach for clients that allow them to be referred onto another appropriate organisation to help them with any further problems that they are facing.
We have recently produced a Legacy brochure detailing our project achievements.