Page 5 - link magazine
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k.com The Link Magazine • March 2001 5
New advice service opens to serve North Swindon
Volunteers needed to extend it
Residents of Haydon Wick, Woodhall Park, Abbey Meads and Blunsdon can now benefit from an advice point which was recently opened
by the Citizens Advice Bureau at the Pinehurst People's Centre in Olive Grove.
The bureau gives free, confiden- - A leaflet giving full details of cate. CAB training is highly re-
tial and impartial advice and as- opening times and services is avail- garded by employers."
sistance in sorting out personal V able. Claire stressed that the training
problems. Issues covered include cns : + The bureau has paid and volun- is given in a friendly and support-
debt, welfare benefits, housing, ^,^ VOWM7FtR leer staff. Volunteers are desper- ive environment.
employment, consumer affairs, - ately needed to act as receptionists If enough volunteers can be
taxes, health, immigration and a and advice workers. trained, she hopes to start advice
nationality, education, legal pro- - "We are looking for caring, con- sessions in other venues across
cedures and family and personal tidential people, concerned to fight North Swindon.
matters. OPEN for people's rights," said Claire. To find out more, call the Citi-
Outreach worker Claire Morgan, No "Full training is provided which zens Advice Bureau's 24 hour re-
who runs the advice point, said, i, vile to leads to a recognised NVQ certifi- cruitment hotline: 491166
`
"there is clear evidence of a need
for the service. Being based in
Pinehurst means we are much
more accessible to people who live -
across North Swindon."
An initial interview with a
trained advisor is available simply
by dropping in on Monday after- problem solving
noons and Tuesday mornings. The adV Ce
centre is accessible to wheelchair
users. Now opera to help, Claire Morgan,
Alternatively, contact can be left, and volunteer Moira Chadfield
made by telephoning 0845 0505155
during weekday afternoons (ex- Cuppa
cept Tuesdays) or Wednesday and
Tuesday mornings. Written en- campaigners pen
quiries should be addressed to the
Advice Point at Pinehurst People's pressure to M P
Centre, Room 25, Olive Grove, People in Haydon Wick were in-
Swindon, SN2 1JJ. vited to a 'Campaign Cafe' at the
Fessey House day centre in
Brookdene on 15 and 16 February
to pen their thoughts on the level
102 victoria road of pensions to North Swindon MP
old town Michael Wills. Ideal Home
swindon
The campaigning cuppa con-
wilts sumers pointed out that the pen-
p
SNI 350 sion increases from April still fall Im rovements
short of the £90 a week basic state
tel/fax:
pension Age Concern Swindon rec-
(01793) 43 57 57 ommends. The Chancellor has Installers of quality replacement PVCu
raised basic state pension from windows, doors and conservatories
creative £69.50 to £72.50 and income sup-
port for pensioners from £78.45 to
ff
inspiration for Also fascia boards, so its and claddings
£92.15.
your home Age Concern estimates that up
to 650,000 older people nationally
b c w fail to claim the income support
they are entitled to because of bu-
u a reaucracy, or fear of stigma.
Age Concern Swindon director
r
Jo Osorio said, "the increases in
basic state pension and income
n t I
support are welcome but Age Con-
t d a p cern research shows that older peo-
0 ple need at least £90 a week to live
s i a
on and that is best provided
n n p through the state pension rather
Y
s e than means-tested support, which
many older people do not claim. Styles and elegance to complement your home
k r "There's an election coming and
MPs have to listen to people's con- Free quotations & computer aided design service
S
free cerns. The Campaign Cafe was a
chance for older people, their fami- Special rates on supply only
lies and friends to express their
W design and
views on pensioner incomes and For further details
measure service ensure their voices are listened to
© 0 1 a a U in the campaign for a more ad- Telephone or Fax: 01793 855492
equate basic state pension."