Advice in Castlereagh
Advice NI has secured a contract to deliver independent advice services within Castlereagh Borough Council area. The contract was awarded for a six month period until 31 March 2010, and may be extended for a further 12 months until 31 March 2011.
The Castlereagh contract involves face to face service provision by advisors locally based in two agencies located on the Ormeau Road and Newtownards Road.
These advisers are deployed to service the Castlereagh outreach venues located at:
- Dungoyne Community Centre
- Braniel Community Centre,
- Belvoir Activity Centre,
- Cregagh Community Centre
- Tullycarnet Community Centre
Appeal tribunal representation services and dedicated money advice services are in place and a dedicated Freephone line has also been established.
In order to secure the contract, Advice NI was able to call upon significant experience in both the development and delivery of advice programmes in the past. Working through our members we have been at the forefront in assisting people to access their entitlements including delivering benefit uptake programmes. In terms of the Castlereagh advice service, Advice NI aims to ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.
Speaking about the award of the contract, the Mayor of Castlereagh Councillor Lawrence Walker said:
“We are excited by the range of skills and services that Advice NI is bringing to this contract and Council looks forward to the delivery of an effective independent advice service which meets the needs of people across the Borough.”
Bob Stronge, Advice NI Chief Executive said:
“Advice NI’s mission is to develop an independent advice sector that provides the best possible advice to those who need it most. Advice NI recognises the need for timely, quality and relevant information, advice and advocacy services for people across NI and is delighted to be able to deliver this service to the people of Castlereagh. We are also keen to harness the benefits of partnership and collaborative working where this provides added value for service users.”
