WEST Devon Citizens Advice Bureau is running a free training course explaining the consequences of the changes to the benefits system.

The course which is funded through the charity's Big Lottery Fund Advice Plus Project, will help to improve the quality of advice and information that front line workers from other charities and agencies can give to the people who are affected.

Mandy Kenyon, development officer for West Devon CAB, who is organising the course, said: 'People often come to the CAB when things have got really bad for them. By helping our partners identify potential problems, people can receive the information they need, before things get out of hand.'

Over the last three years of the project, West Devon CAB has run courses for partners on a variety of subjects, including debt, relationship problems and sign posting.

The Benefits Changes course will help workers and volunteers to identify the changes that have been implemented, or planned for the benefit system and help people to realise what impact it may have on their lives.

Particular benefits that will be covered are Housing Benefit — especially the effects of the bedroom tax — universal credit and the change from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments.

They will also be looking at the publicity surrounding the changes and the perceptions of this in the community.

People who would like to take part in this free course need to work or volunteer for a non-commercial organisation that deals directly with the public in West Devon.

The course takes place on Wednesday, March 27 from 10am to 2pm at the Ockment Centre in Okehampton and there are a few spaces left.

Mandy Kenyon is the contact point and can be reached at [email protected]">[email protected]