A NEW helpline offering information, help and advice for older people and their carers has been launched by Devon County Council.
The service will also take to the road in January, with the outreach service initially available for one day a month at Tavistock Library.
The new Care Direct Devon service — a one-stop gateway to social care, health, housing and social security benefits information — was launched on Monday.
Devon is one of six areas in the South West chosen to pilot the development of the government scheme.
The initiative will include a free-phone helpline, managed by Devon County Council Social Services, designed to help people access local services, and an outreach service at five libraries across the county.
Devon County Council's executive member responsible for Adults Social Services, Cllr Lyn Gear. welcomed the new scheme.
'With Care Direct Devon, one call should be enough for people to get all the information and advice they need.'
Endorsing the initiative, Anne Palmer of Age Concern Devon said: 'This new initiative will provide more opportunities for older people, and particularly those who are isolated or housebound, to have access to appropriate information and support.'
Care Direct is available on 0800 444000 from 8am-8pm weekdays.