Local information

This page gives details of local and national organisations who may be able to offer information or support.  If you would like an organisation to be added to this list please see contact details at the bottom of the contact us page.

Advice

Advice Dorset - Bringing together all the advice agencies in Dorset on one website.

Other local Citizens Advice offices - including locations and opening times

Dorset Race Equality Council - supporting people to speak out against racist and religious discrimination and abuse. Offering free information, advice and advicacy to victims

First Point - housing and advice in Dorset

Age UK - Information and advice for over 60s

Dorset Advocacy -  providing relief for people living in Dorset with a learning, physical or mental disability, and those suffering frailty through age, to assist them to protect their rights and gain equality of opportunity

SSAFA - offering lifelong support for the services and their families

POPPS - Dorset partnership for older people programme

Local information

Dorset for You - Dorset County Council website

Wessex Water - offering contact details and self-help information on every aspect of water and sewerage services.  Help and advice on a range of problems including bill paying, moving home, water quality and avoiding blockages. Also, you can send for a free water saving pack covering water efficiency advice.

New and Exciting BSL helpline service launched!! - Face to face money helpline online via smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Are you a carer? Help and Care, in partnership with Dorset HealthCare, will be running free, informal training workshops during 2015/16. Please click here for a link to a poster giving full information on the courses provided.

Family & Relationships

Home Start - support and friendship for families in West Dorset

Relate Dorset - helping people with the difficulties they experience in family life

Local Charities

Besom - a bridge between those who want to give time, money, things or skills and those who are in need

Food banks - There are food banks in Swanage, Wareham and Poole. Please contact your local Citizens Advice bureau for vouchers

Art Workshop - a new, not-for-profit, space in central Swanage dedicated to providing accessible art workshops for everyone, regardless of artistic skill or resources.

Housing

Eastborough Housing Trust - housing and support services for vulnerable clients

BCHA - help with housing, learning and living

Shelter - practical housing advice and support, on the phone, online or in person

Health & Care

Dorset Mental Health Forum - improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness

Dorset ME Support Group - small community based charity supporting people with ME in Dorset

Healthwatch Dorset - the new consumer champion for health and social care services

My Health My Way - support for people living in Dorset whose daily lives are affected by a health condition

My life my care - information and advice about care and support for adults in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole

Macmillan Cancer Support - practical, medical and financial support for anyone affected by cancer 

Money Matters

First Dorset Credit Union - offering a safe, ethical place to save and affordable loans

CAP - Christians Against Poverty offer free debt counselling in your home

Payplan - free debt management plans and IVAs and free debt advice

StepChange - free advice on problem debt based on what's right for you

National Debtline - a free, confidential, debt advice service for people in England, Wales and Scotland, run by the charity the Money Advice Trust

Big Community Switch - Save money on your fuel bills with collective energy switching

Go Energy Shopping - Information from Ofgem on how to save money on your energy bills

Employment, Education and Training

Ansbury - company delivering Connexions services to young people who live in Dorset

Purbeck Jobs - the only website dedicated to jobs in Purbeck.

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