Financial Advice

Financial Advice

Financial advice is available from a range of sources nationally and locally. Some organisations can provide free financial advice, whereas others, such as solicitors who offer financial advice, will usually charge.

The list below is not exhaustive, and there may be other people you would also turn to for financial advice, e.g. an accountant who already handles your financial affairs.

The Citizens Advice is a national organisation with local branches

Independent - it will always act in the interest of its clients, without influence from any outside bodies. Impartial - no judgements or assumptions are made about its clients. Its service is open to everyone, and it treats everyone equally. Confidential - it won't pass on anything a client says or even the fact that they've visited - without their permission. Free - no one has to pay for any part of the service provided. CAB advisors, most of whom are trained volunteers, can:

• interview clients face-to-face and by telephone to find out what the problem is
• access our regularly updated electronic information database for up-to-the minute information
• help clients to negotiate with companies or service providers such as creditors or to appeal against decisions, for example, social security benefit claims
• write letters or telephone companies and service providers on behalf of clients
• help clients to prioritise their problems, for example, to sort out which debts are most important
• help clients with form filling, for example, to claim benefits
• represent clients in court and at tribunals
• refer clients to CAB specialist caseworkers for complex problems or to other agencies when appropriate

There is an online advice service with answers to frequently asked questions and some factsheets which you can download.

A Guide to Citizens Advice Bureaux in Gloucestershire

Gloucester and District CAB
75-81 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1PN
Tel: 01452 527202
Email: bureau@gloucestercab.cabnet.org.uk

Mon & Fri 9:30 – 12:30
Tues 13:00 – 15:30
Wed 13:00 – 16:30
Thurs 9:30 – 13:00
Web: www.housingcare.org

Stroud and District CAB
Unit 8 1st Floor Brunel Mall, London Road, Stroud, GL5 2BP
Tel: 01453 762084
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10:00 – 14:00
Web: www.strouddistrictcab.org.uk

Cheltenham CAB
6 St James Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR
Tel: 01242 522491
Mon – Fri 9:00 – 15:00
Web: www.cheltenhamcab.org.uk

Dursley CAB
The New Library, May Lane, Dursley, GL11 4JE
Mon 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00
Fri 10:00 – 12:00
Web: www.strouddistrictcab.org.uk

Tewkesbury CAB
Tewkesbury Borough Council Offices Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 5TT
Tel: 01242 522491
Mon, Tues & Thurs 10:00 – 12:00
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Newent CAB
The Library, Newent, GL18 1AS
Tues 10:00 – 15:30
Web: www.forestofdeancab.co.uk

Cirencester CAB
2-3 The Mews, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, GL7 1HY
Tel: 01285 652908
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10:00 – 16:00
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Tetbury CAB
Town Council Office, 63 Long Street, Tetbury, GL8 8AA
Tel: 01666 504523
Mon 9:30 – 12:30
Web: www.tetbury.inuklocal.co.uk

Forest of Dean CAB
St Annalls House, Belle Vue Centre, Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AB Tel: 01594 823937

Mon 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
Wed 10:00 – 12:30
Thurs 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
Web: www.forestofdeancab.co.uk

Lydney CAB
The Health Centre, Albert Street, Lydney, GL15 5NQ
Tel: 01594 823937
Tues 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:45 – 16:00
Web: www.forestofdeancab.co.uk

Wotton Under Edge CAB
Civic Centre, Gloucester Street, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 7DN
Tues 10:00 – 13:00
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

South Gloucestershire CAB
Kennedy Way, Yate, BS37 4DQ
Tel: 08444 111 444
Mon & Fri 10:00 – 13:00
Tues 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 15:00
Web: www.southgloscab.org.uk

Thornbury CAB
The Old Police Station, 35 High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AR
Tel: 01453 863 666
Tues & Thurs 10:00 – 13:00
Web: www.wellaware.org.uk

Advocacy

Advocacy is a way of helping people, in partnership, to express their views and wishes, so they can be heard.

Making sure that people listen to what you want to say can be difficult for many reasons. These include embarrassment: not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings: and, being unsure of your rights. This is no different for people with dementia.

What is different is that sometimes it is assumed that people with dementia cannot make choices or do not know what they want. But, if given time, clear information and the chance to say what they want, many people can express their wishes and play their part in making informed decisions. This is where an advocate can help. Local advocacy services.

Dhek Bhal is a voluntary organisation that works and campaigns with and for South Asian people to promote their health and social wellbeing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire through a range of services which include advocacy.

Gloucestershire Welfare Rights

On offer is a free, confidential and impartial welfare rights service via the telephone on 01452 396396, advice surgeries or home visits. It provides:

• information and advice on a whole range of welfare benefits and appropriate services and schemes
• benefit checks and calculations to assess the correct level of benefit entitlements
• advice on winter fuel payments and keeping warm in winter
• help to fill in forms
• talks and displays
• and advice surgeries.

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Age UK

Age UK is another organisation that can provide financial guidance. It has independent advisors who can give you advice tailored to your circumstances. The mission of Age UK is to promote the well-being of all older people and to help make later life as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible.

A Guide to Age UK in Gloucestershire

A range of services are on offer through the Gloucestershire branch

Bleak House
26 Station Road
Gloucester
GL1 1EW

Email enquiries@ageukglos.org.uk
Website www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire/

Call 01452 422660 to find out more.

Supporting Care Rights / Making a Complaint

If you need support to help you access care rights, or to make a complaint about hospital treatment, there are organisations who can help and support you. Details are in our Care Rights and Complaints section.

Supporting People from Ethnic Minorities

A number of groups and organisations exist to support people whose first language is not English, or who have distinct religious or cultural needs:

Milan Group

Asian women's Carers Group. Please contact Shamim Kholwadia on 01452 872240 or email skholwadia@carersgloucestershire.org.uk for further details.

Ebony Carers

For all Carers from the African Caribbean community. Contact Carol Sterling on 01452 426018.

GlosREC

(The Race Equality Council for Gloucestershire) is a charity.  It works towards the elimination of racial discrimination in all forms so that members of all communities in Gloucestershire can enjoy freedom from the injustice of racial discrimination.  Contact 01452 301290.   

Dhek Bhal

Dhek Bhal is a voluntary organisation that works and campaigns with and for South Asian people to promote their health and social wellbeing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire through a range of services which include:-

• Respite breaks
• Day care
• Self help
• Advocacy activities

Contact 0117 9146671/9548885 for further information about these services.

Independent Financial Advice About Funding Care

This online support is provided by Partnership Life Assurance Company Ltd. It provides impartial information and advice to anyone with questions about funding long term care.

Alternatively you can speak with Age UK Gloucestershire, they have factsheets on funding or if you prefer to speak to someone, contact: 01452 422 660.

Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice (SIFA)

SIFA can refer you to legal firms that offer financial advice to complement their legal advice.

TaxHelp for Older People (TOP)

TaxHelp for Older People (TOP) is an independent free tax advice service for older people on low incomes who cannot afford to pay for professional advice.

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