Getting Advice From Us
Anyone living or working in the districts of North East Derbyshire or Bolsover can access our service.
Our support is inclusive and available to all, regardless of your identity or the challenges you face. Our advisers possess the expertise and training to assist individuals from various backgrounds, including those with long-term health conditions/disabilities (physical and/or mental health), older individuals, people with children, people with caring responsibilities, people from ethnic minorities, migrant communities, Gypsies and Travelers, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
We help people to find a way forward, whoever they are, whatever the problem.
How Citizens Advice advisers can help
There are a number of different ways that Citizens Advice advisers can help people to resolve a problem. Advisers don’t tell clients what to do, but explain their options and the possible outcomes of different courses of action. Clients are encouraged to make their own decisions and act on their own behalf. We enable clients to manage their own problems by focusing on their needs as individuals.
Citizens Advice advisers, most of whom are trained volunteers can:
interview clients face-to-face and by phone to find out what the problem(s) are
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, welfare benefit claims
write letters or phone 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 for welfare benefits
refer clients to our specialist caseworkers for complex problems or to other agencies when appropriate.
What Should I Bring With Me?
To save time it would be helpful if you brought as much information as possible relating to your enquiry. Depending on your enquiry, details on the following may be useful:
letters
dates
contracts
agreements
receipts
correspondence