Brixham Stronger Together: Citizens Advice returns with face-to-face meetings

Katherine Oliverio of Yes! Brixham writes about Brixham Stronger Together, a collaboration of more than 14 organisations working with and for the community

Brixham Stronger Together are pleased to announce the Citizens Advice service based at The Edge on Bolton Street has funding for another year.

The funding from the Tudor Trust provides a Citizens Advice advisor in Brixham every Thursday.

The service has now returned to offering face-to-face appointments with social distancing measures in place. Telephone appointments can still be arranged.

Since welcoming a physical Citizens Advice service back to Brixham, the service has seen more than 50 people, helping with issues related to debt, benefits and appeals and utility issues to name but a few and has helped Brixham residents to collectively benefit from £31,936 in financial gain.

This comes at a time when the Government's eviction ban and hold on debt collection is coming to an end in England, with court cases beginning to be heard in the coming weeks. Anyone based in Brixham who needs support from a CA advisor is encouraged to contact Yes! Brixham on 01803 851414 to arrange an appointment.

Parks and tourist attractions across the Bay are being used as safe spaces in a unique scheme to help vulnerable people emerge from shielding in a safe and controlled way.

Community Builders from Torbay Community Development Trust are working with volunteers to open parks to help those who have been shielding to comfortably get used to the idea of leaving isolation.

In Brixham, the parks being used for the scheme are Bonsey Gardens, off North Furzeham Road, Mondays 2pm to 4pm; St Mary's Park (with play park), Thursdays 10am to midday and Shoalstone picnic area, Tuesdays 10am to midday.

If you are shielding and would like to find out more information, contact the Torbay Helpline on 01803 446022, or use the online form;bit.ly/torbayhelpline

As organisations in Brixham work to support the community, we are always looking for volunteers to help. There is a whole trove of opportunities to get involved in from helping in charity shops, befriending, using DIY skills to help someone stay independent in their home. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved. To find out more, contact Brixham Stronger Together by emailing Katherine@yesbrixham.org.uk