Since 1 July 2016, residents of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk have been able to access free, confidential information and advice services from three local providers, specialising in housing advice, debt advice and general advice.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk recently tendered for specialist debt and housing advice services which will sit alongside the general advice service which receives funding from Norfolk County Council. The agencies involved in this innovative arrangement are:
Shelter - provides debt advice, with funding from the borough council. Shelter's debt advice services may be able to help you with debt problems including dealing with:
• housing arrears
• utility bill debts – gas, electricity and water
• debt collection companies or creditors
• hire purchase, credit card or loan arrears
West Norfolk Advice Hub – will provide housing advice as a consortium of local advice providers, led by Community Action Norfolk (CAN), with funding from the borough council. This will include advice and information for people at risk of becoming homeless, or for people who are trying to get on the housing list or into social housing.
Norfolk Citizens’ Advice – will provide generalist advice and a point of access and triage to specialist advice through funding from Norfolk County Council. They will cover a full range of advice as before. They can provide advice and assistance whether you are facing an immediate crisis or just considering your options.
Residents will be able to access the services in a number of ways – telephone, internet or Skype.
West Norfolk Advice Hub and Shelter will be able to meet people face-to-face through bookable appointments either at the Borough Council Offices or at the Shelter offices in Hospital Walk.
Norfolk Citizens' Advice - offer drop-in sessions at published times.
Find them at Hanse House, South Quay, Kings Lynn. PE30 5GN
CONTACT DETAILS: -
Information about how to access advice services is available on the Borough Council’s website
or directly from each of the three agencies - see below for details
Citizens Advice Bureau – King's Lynn
or call 03444 111 44 or e-mail public@ncab.org.uk
West Norfolk Advice Hub – King's Lynn
or call 01553 223113 or e mail housing@westnorfolkadvicehub.org.uk
Shelter - Norfolk ( includes King's Lynn)
or call 0344 515 1860 or e mail Norfolk@shelter.org.uk
There are a host of other organisations and agencies which provide advice, but these three receive funding, from Norfolk County Council or the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, to provide specific free advice to residents who may be struggling with debt or having issues with housing.
See also -
Family Action
Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.
For further information see the Family Action website.
Hardship Payments
If your benefit payment is stopped, and you don’t have enough money to live on, you may be able to get a hardship payment. This is a reduced amount of Job Seekers Allowance.
Call 0800 169 0310 if you want to understand more about hardship payment
Further information here
There are a host of other organisations and agencies which provide advice, but these three receive funding, from Norfolk County Council or the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, to provide specific free advice to residents who may be struggling with debt or having issues with housing.
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Other useful contacts include -
Benefits - Advice Review team
Debt - National Debtline
Help at home - Careline
Working through us, Careline Community Service is here to support older and disabled people by providing round the clock assistance at the push of a button.
Care & Repair - Care & Repair
Care and Repair West Norfolk is the local Home Improvement Agency (HIA) for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland and Fenland.We are committed to enabling anyone with disabilities, older people and those on low incomes, to live independently in their own homes in comfort, warmth and safety.
Homeless - Homelessness (Borough Council website)
King's Lynn Winter Night Shelter
The King's Lynn Winter Night Shelter provides overnight accomodation for the homeless.
Operate during the winter months.
Contact: Telephone 01553 776109.
Live independently - Lily
A wide range of advice services to help adults in West Norfolk and Swaffham -
The Lily online directory lists organisations, services and activities that help people to live healthy, active and independent lives.
There is a lot of information and advice available on the Lily website.
Rehab 4 Addiction is a private/commercial organisation, ie not a NHS service, that provides advice and services for drug and alcohol addiction. Look here for more information
(Note that EastWinchandWest Bilney.co.uk has no connections with Rehab4Addiction and the link shown is provided solely for your information.