NEW services will be offered at the Okehampton Citizen's Advice Bureau when the centre opens its door after a two week break on September 16. They will be going somewhere to replace the lost outreach post which occurred through cost cutting.
Devon County Council cuts earlier in the year saw the demise of the CAB outreach service of the last seven years which provided advice, support and help to some of the most vulnerable people in the community and brought in thousands of pounds of benefits to the community each year.
Okehampton CAB manager Barbara Osborne said the new specialist help with state benefits and money management would go someway to replacing the lost service.
'Although the county council was unable to continue funding both the Okehampton and Tavistock outreach workers it agreed to grant Tavistock CAB additional funds to provide a Welfare Benefits Service which covers the whole of West Devon,' she said.
'This is not as broad as what we had previously but does provide benefit focussed advice to a specialist level and follow hot on the heels of the Benefits Take Up Campaign which took place last summer.'
Anyone who is elderly, infirm, disabled or suffering with poor mental health and who is housebound by virtue of this can approach Okehampton CAB to arrange a home visit for a benefit health check or discuss possible entitlement.
The second new service covers money management and debt advice but also helps people if they wish to appeal against a Benefits Agency decision.
Mrs Osborne said the post holder was already helping several clients sort out money muddles and settle debts which was something the bureau was unable to do before because of a lack of resources.
Both services are part-time and short term at the moment but can be accessed via Okehampton CAB which is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The phone number is 01837 52574.
The bureau in Okehampton will be closed from September 9 to 16 due to staff shortages. More advisors are needed and 'Help at the Heart of the Community' is the focus of the fourth national CAB Advice Week taking place this week.
'Advisors are given full training and commit up to six hours a week,' said Mrs Osborne.
'The work is both interesting and varied and offers an excellent opportunity to learn, discuss and discover new aspects and angles on every day life.'
Anyone who needs help whilst the bureau is closed can contact Tavistock CAB on 01822 612359 between 10.30am and 1pm each weekday or information can be accessed by logging onto the website at