Whether you're experiancing finanancial hardship, having housing worries, or having trouble supporting your self or your family don't worry in silence, help is availalbe from a variety of sources both local and national. This list isn't exhaustive, if you think we've missed a key service please let us know.
We've put together a list of just some of the options availalbe which we hope may be of some help to people affected by the current econonomic situation and the cuts imposed on benefits and other services by the Conservative/Lib Dem Government.
Choose from the list below to go right to the section you need:
Swindon Borough Council has information on housing benefit, including elegebility criteria and informaiton on applying for housing beneifit on it's Housing Benefit pages.
National charity Shelter offer free, independent advice and information on housing (including benefits) to help you understand your rights and options via their website at www.shelter.org.uk/advice or via their freephone helpline on 0808 800 4444
The GOV.UK site has Information on housing benefit online including what is available and to whom.
The Swindon Borough Council website has informaiton on homelessness, waiting lists, housing options, council property repairs (including online repair requests), and paying your rent on it's Housing pages.
Warm Front grants of up to £3,500 may be available to improve your home's energy efficiency. Information is availale on the Swindon Borough Council website and via Warm Front's website or for further details call Warm Front on freephone 0300 123 1234.
The Swindon Borough Council website has information available on applying for free school meals for your children.
The council website also has informaiton on financial assistance to pay for school uniforms.
Top Drawer Furniture Recycling Project provides good furniture and white goods at budget prices. It is a not for profit project, staffed by volunteers and managed by Stonham Housing, a charity registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. They are based at 1&2 Sussex Square Somerville Road, Walcot and can be contacted on (01793) 536613.
Gateway Furniture receive donations of good quality furniture, appliances and household items that are no longer wanted or needed. They then resupply these to local people in need, free of charge. They can be contacted via their website and are also on Facebook.
Step Change Debt Charity – the new name for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service – offers free advice on problem debt based on what's best for you via their website or via telephone on freephone 0800 138 1111
See "Other Charities and Organisations" below for other organisations that provide debt advice.
Swindon Food Bank work with partners such as Social Services, Health visitors and doctors who can refer people in need to the food bank. Contact your doctor, health visitor or Jobcentre Plus for additional informaiton or contact Swindon Food Bank vis their website.
The NHS Swindon website has information on finding an NHS dentist in Swindon, including a handy search facility to find a dentist near you.
There is also information on all NHS services in Swindon, including walk-in healthcare services, finding a GP and hospital treatment on the NHS Swindon website.
Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on Benefits, Consumer, Debt, Employment, Housing, and Immigration issues. Advice is only available to residents of the Borough of Swindon – contact details can be found on the CAB website or on the Swindon Citizens Advice Bureav website.
Wiltshire Law Centre are a resitered charity based in Swindon who offer FREE confidential advice in Welfare Benefits, Housing, Debt, Employment & Discrimination to those elegible for legal aid (a calculator to check elegibility is available on their website). They can also be contacted on 01793 486926.
Parks Advice Point are a local authority funded registered charity providing a free and confidential advice service on welfare benefits, employment, housing and debt. Parks Advice Point are open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm and Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. Parks Advice Point are based at 70 Cavendish Square and can be contacted on 01793 487934