Advice giving organisations

A re-launch event for the Bromley Advice Network was held in late September 2008.

Invitations and attendance included:
organisations which had been involved in BAN previously · known "advice" agencies
organisations giving some advice but otherwise "signposting"
organisations such as advocacy groups which had an interest in advice if not regularly giving advice or information

The outcome of the event was that:

BAN should be re-launched
a steering group be established to carry forward the work in the short term - reporting back to wider membership
priorities for the steering group were undertaking need and supply mapping and eventual advice strategy
members supply a précis of their work to be circulated to members and others

The steering group membership comprises:

Age Concern Bromley
Bromley CAB
Bromley Advocacy Project
Bromley Mencap
Carers Bromley
Greenwich Housing Rights (undertake work at Bromley County Court)
Streetwise Law centre
Janet Tibbalds - as trustee of BAP, Magistrates Court Help Desk
Stephen Blann Policy & Networks Officer at CLB and Development Worker, Advice UK supporting.

Steering group meetings were held in mid November 2008 and January 2009.

The decisions reached were to :

adopt an updated terms of reference - including change of name to Bromley Advice & information Network to reflect the different organisations who are members of the network
work towards developing an advice and information strategy
conduct a STEEPLE analysis (Social Technical, Economic, Educational Political, Legal, Environmental) as the basis of setting rationale and aims for the strategy
identify costs and approaches to creating a strategy
consider quality, training and development needs of advice and information groups as part of the strategy
consider potential of partnership with local authority
identify further potential members and also external contacts / relationships with agencies in statutory and other sectors.

For more information about the network contact Stephen Blann Policy & Networks Officer, CLB 020 8315 1907.

Community Matters Advice and Information Service

Community Matters is the national federation of community organisations and it operates a free advice line on 0845 8474253 from Monday - Friday 9.30am to 5pm, closed between 1pm and 2pm.

It can give you advice on all sorts of issues including: licensing, employment, charitable trading, legal structures, consulting, managing community buildings and governance. They also have a range of resources available free of charge to their members

So call 0845 8474253, email info@communitymatters.org.uk or visit their website at www.communitymatters.org.uk.

Carers Direct launches new telephone hotline

A Carers Direct hotline has been launched as a one-stop information and advice service for carers looking after ill, frail or disabled friends and relatives. Phone 0808 802 0202, or see www.nhs.uk/carersdirect. There is also a training course, Caring with Confidence, available face-to-face, online and by distance learning, www.caringwithconfidence.net.

Bromley Women's Aid - new helpline

Bromley Women's Aid set up this new service in May 2009 as part of thier work to end domestic abuse. Phone for confidential advice. The helpline is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am – 3.30pm. The line is not open on bank holidays. The helpline number is 020 8466 1000. Visit the website. www.bwaid.com