Advice Services in Southwark
Southwark Legal Advice Network Funding has been awarded by the Big Lottery to improve access to quality assured advice services and self-help information in Southwark for people in greatest need.
This website provides information about advice services in Southwark, listed according to the area of advice - Money/Debt/Tax, Housing & Homelessness, Employment, Welfare Benefits & Tax Credits, Immigration, Discrimination, Goods & Services, Fuel Costs, Family, Community Care, Domestic Violence, Education, Personal Injury and Public Law.
Advice agencies generally fall into one of two categories: generalist advice agencies can provide information, advice and help to resolve your basic problems, and typically offer free drop-in sessions, for which no appointment is necessary; specialist agencies can provide legal services, but can only take on cases by referral from other agencies.
Also listed under the same areas of advice are links to other websites - such as Southwark Council, National Government and other advice guides - where you can find online advice, factsheets and other useful resources.
For a range of useful information and downloadable fact sheets visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
Several members of the SLAN partnership have contracts with the Legal Services Commission to provide housing, debt and welfare benefits advice in the London Borough of Southwark as part of a consortium.
The consortium partners are:
Anthony Gold Southwark
Citizens Advice Bureaux Service
Blackfriars Advice Centre
Cambridge House Law Centre
Pierce Glynn
Southwark Law Centre.
Forum on Equalities and Human Rights in Southwark
Southwark Legal Advice Network has been awarded a contract by Southwark Council to provide a critical friend to the Council around Equalities and Human Rights issues and support the delivery and development of Equalities & Human Rights in Southwark.The role will include the following functions:
• Policy and challenge
• Information and briefing to the Voluntary and Community Sector
• Consultation and partnership
The Vision for FEHRS is to champion a fair and equal society in Southwark by promoting diversity, tolerance and understanding with the aim of working towards the elimination of discrimination.
News and Events
New content on support for victims of domestic violence and abuse
Updated 24.01.12Click here to see new resources on supporting victims of domestic violence.
Do you feel discriminated against at Work, in Public or at School? Your questions answered
Updated 18.01.12Call Southwark Law Centre on 0207 732 2008 – Tuesdays 10.30am- 12.30pm only
Southwark Law Centre provides a weekly telephone service for one- off discrimination advice. The service is available between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm on Tuesdays.
New Drop In Advice Service
Updated 17.10.11London South Bank University Legal Advice Clinic is now open to the public. The Clinic is located at Caxton House, 13-16 Borough Road, Southwark SE1 0AA.
Public drop-in sessions take place on Wed 11am-2pm and Thurs 2pm-5pm telephone number is 0207 7815 5450 legaladvice@lsbu.ac.uk.
The Clinic is a free drop-in service 5 minutes’ walk from Elephant & Castle staffed by LSBU Student Volunteers under the supervision of practising solicitors.
Basic information is provided on almost any topic, with signposting and referral to appropriate local advice and legal services Specialist legal advice in family and housing at Thursday evening sessions (accessible via daytime drop-in)
Click HERE to download the flyer
Adult Social Care
Updated 18.01.12 A new resource to help local people explore the options and choices available to meet individual needs
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200407/my_support_choices
Contact Southwark Council Adult Social Care:
Call the access and information team on 020 7525 3324
(Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
For out of hours enquiries, please call the council switchboard on 020 7525 5000 and choose the appropriate option.
You can email the access and information team with your enquiry: ops@southwark.gov.uk
Have your say on the Elephant and Castle redevelopment
Updated 18.01.12Over the next 15 years a range of developments are expected to take place in Elephant and Castle, including new housing, retail, leisure and business. The draft proposals are available to view on the council’s website at:
www.southwark.gov.uk/elephantandcastlespd
Hard copies of the background papers and evidence base will also be available at the Walworth Road one stop shop, East Street library, John Harvard Library, Brandon Street library and Newington Library.
To comment on the draft proposals please use the online questionnaire
Alternatively, you can email planningpolicy@southwark.gov.uk.
Or you can mail your response to:
Planning policy
Regeneration and neighbourhoods
FREEPOST SE1919/14
London SE17 2ES
All comments must be received by 5pm Tuesday 7 February 2012
The Money Advice Service
Updated 12.07.11The Money Advice Service is a new free, independent service, set up by the government.The Money Advice Service is here to help everyone manage their money better, by giving clear, unbiased money advice to help people make informed choices.
Advice and information is available online, over the phone and face to face. We provide tailored money advice to help you make choices throughout your life, whatever your circumstances.
Telephone: 0300 500 5000
Money Advice Service Health checks
Updated 12.07.11Want to make the most of your money? Visit the Money Advice Service
It’s easier than you think. Answer some straightforward questions about you and your money and our free confidential health check will set out what you can do in easy steps. It takes just 5-10 minutes, doesn’t involve any paperwork and your answers are confidential.
Blackfriars Advice Centre Rights Reach Project
Updated 12.07.11This is a new five years project funded by the Big Lottery. The aim is to help, support, advise and make information accessible for: New Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers by providing advice sessions, outreaches, and seminars.
Changes to Housing Benefit
Updated 12.07.11Changes that the Government has introduced may mean that some private tenants get less help
Click here for more information
Warm Front help to heat your home effectively
Updated 01.06.11If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may be eligible for a grant of up to £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is involved) under the Warm Front Scheme.
For more information download the briefing paper or contact the Warm Front team on 0800 316 2805
Advice for under 25s
Updated 16.12.2010Citizens Advice has launched a microsite www.advice4me.org.uk aimed specifically at young people in order to ensure that they can access advice and information quickly and easily about the problems that concern them the most. The site pulls together information on debt, benefits, employment and housing from the charity’s existing self-help website and puts it in one easy to use place.
Home Search Help
Updated 22.04.11Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux and Southwark Law Centre are running sessions every Friday, to help people who are registered with Southwark Council to bid on line for accommodation
10:30-1:00pm - Blue Anchor Library, Market Place Bermondsey, SE16
10:00-1:00pm - Southwark Pensioners Centre 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5
No need to make an appointment. Please make sure you bring your registration number with you.
Council Tax Advice Sessions
Updated 16.12.2011
Southwark CABx Service are running special drop in sessions for people having difficulties paying their council tax.
The sessions are held at Bermondsey CAB on the first Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm. We can only see the first 12 people so please try to arrive early.
The next session is Tuesday 10th January 5.30pm at Bermondsey CAB, 8 Market Place, Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3UQ