The Citizen's Advice Bureau holds regular weekly sessions in the Wiveliscombe Community Office.
Opening Hours
- 9.30am till 12 noon on Friday
- Operates from the Wiveliscombe Community Office
General Information
This is an outreach station of the main bureau in Taunton which is open from 10 till 4 every weekday and 10 till 12 on Saturdays.
There are other outreaches around Taunton offering the same advice service, one for instance at the The Council Offices, 28 Fore Street, TA21 8AQ opening on Wednesdays from 10 till 1. The aim of the service is make available to the citizen information about his statutory rights. The advisers, both voluntary and paid, undergo a demanding training in using a national database of information and in interview techniques. The service is funded to a large extent by national and local government but remains independent from them. Each local branch is a separate charity attached to National Association of CAB (NACAB) which provides the constantly updated information. The main issues on which advice is sought are: Employment, Housing Benefits, Consumer, Family and Personal Debt
Other common issues concern Neighbours, or complaints about the Health Service, or Immigration, as well as just seeking information - for instance on how to change your name, or how to get your money back using the legal system. But the above six are the major issues. Debt is in a category of its own because it is such a common problem in our society, but of course it overlaps with Consumer and Family and Personal and indeed with Benefits. Inevitably the bureau does find itself providing not only information but also mediation sometimes (in the form of letters to the authorities or creditors) and sometimes just support - the problem shared with an independent third person is often easier to deal with. Advice can be given both by appointment and by dropping in.
At Taunton advice is given also by telephone and through e-mail:advice@tauntoncab.org.uk You can access the information system for yourself at www.adviceguide.org.uk
