- The Forum
- Conferences
- E-bulletins
- Join the Network
The aim of the Advice North Somerset Network is to develop the advice services in North Somerset in the challenging climate of cuts to Legal Aid and changes brought in by Welfare Reform. The Network’s goal is to improve provision of advice and information in Social Welfare Law for clients, through working together.
The Forum
Advice North Somerset has set up the Advice Forum, to provide networking and training opportunities to voluntary and community sector organisations that offer advice, guidance and information services to people in North Somerset. It meets on three times a year. The next Forum will be held in December 2015.
Conferences
We have held two conferences. The Advice North Somerset Network was launched at the first conference in September 2014 and the second conference focussed on Digital Inclusion.
E-bulletins
We publish regular e-bulletins. Past bulletins are accessible here:
- E-bulletin – Sep/Oct 2015
- E-bulletin – August 2015
- E-bulletin – July 2015
- E-bulletin – June 2015
- E-bulletin – May 2015
- E-bulletin – April 2015
- E-bulletin – March 2015
- E-bulletin – January 2015
- E-bulletin – December 2014
- E-bulletin – November 2014
Project Report
We published a report on the project in September 2015. Download pdf.
Join the Network
Who can join?
Membership of the network is open to all organisations working in Social Welfare Law areas, which provide free advice, information, signposting or support to people in North Somerset. Membership of the network is free.
What are the benefits of joining?
- raising the profile of your organisation and inclusion on the Advice North Somerset website
- closer links to other organisations and better awareness of other services and how to get support for clients
- a united and stronger voice for on advice provision in North Somerset, and a chance to influence campaigning on local issues of concern
- an information-sharing platform to publicise news, events and good practice
- assistance on advice quality issues
- access to free or subsidised training events
- invitation to networking and information events such as our Annual Conference
- access to information collected by the Advice Network to influence policymakers and funders
What commitments come with being a member?
- share and input ideas to improve provision of information and advice across North Somerset
- provide content for the Advice North Somerset network website on your organisation’s services, how to access your services and keep this information up-to-date
- confirm that your organisation has an Equality & Diversity policy or is working towards one
- input evidence or information for local issues of concern
- to signpost clients appropriately
- to act on training, support and shared good practice
- sign up to the ANS Equality and Diversity statement
- confirm that your organisation has a complaints procedure or is working towards one
- confirm that your organisation has a data protection and confidentiality policy
Advice North Somerset Equality and Diversity Statement of Intent
Advice North Somerset is a partnership-led network which recognises the contribution of all its Partners, Members and Associates and aims to be supportive, fair, just and free from discrimination. It will seek to ensure compliance with both the spirit and letter of the Equalities Act 2010 in all its activities and recognises and respects the identity, characteristics, rights and values of each individual. It will oppose all direct and indirect discrimination within the ambit of its purpose and recognise the value of diversity throughout its network.