Archives: Guide Entries

An entry for the mindguide

Oxfordshire Specialist Advice Service (OSAS) provides a dedicated telephone advice line and email service, which aims to answer all your queries around benefits, money advice, budgeting and other welfare issues and link you into services that can provide further support. This is backed up by a team of specialist advisers, who are able to meet face to face with people unable to access advice by telephone, email or in their local community.

The service also supports professionals who may be working with you, through the provision of comprehensive and responsive training opportunities and a consultancy line for specialist case support.

The service is free for people to use. It is jointly funded by Adult Social Care and Children, Education and Families, so it is focused on meeting the needs of people living in Oxfordshire who are struggling with their day-to-day lives due to disability or ill heath. However, you do not have to have a carer or anyone looking after you.

The charity was founded by Andy Willis BCAv. They provide benefit advice, help filling in benefit forms, Mandatory Reconsideration, help apply for benefit tribunals but they do not do tribunal representation. They assist with advice for Blue Badge applications and can assist with applications in Oxfordshire. They do not give legal, tax or debt advice. They can refer clients for advice on Wills and Power of Attorney. They can provide career counselling and education course information. They can issue food bank vouchers, sign post for tax and debt advice to other organisations.

 

Vale Community Impact (VCI) is a local charity supporting residents across the Vale of White Horse. They offer free, confidential advice on issues like debt, benefits, and the cost of living; a volunteer transport scheme for medical and social appointments; and Good Neighbour services including befriending, shopping help, and pop-up cafés to reduce isolation. They work closely with local partners to reach vulnerable people and empower them to improve their wellbeing.

The Citizens Advice West Northants and Cherwell offer free, private, and unbiased advice on many different issues, including benefits, consumer issues, debt & money, employment, family, health, housing, immigration, law & courts

As well as the helpline, they also offer in-person support where you can drop-in to a Community Help Information Point (CHIP).

For in-person support in Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington, please visit their website to confirm current locations, date and times: www.cawnac.org.uk/access-our-services

A full advice service for people living in the Barton area in receipt of benefits, and organisations working with clients in receipt of benefits, including debt advice and representation at appeal tribunal hearings. Also provides advice, support and training in social welfare law.

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre offer free expert advice on money and debt, welfare benefits, housing, and employment for people living in Blackbird Leys. They also offer outreach services in other parts of the community to reach more people.

They have a legal advice clinic, one to one appointments, and a drop in service, and they take GP referrals from the Leys Health Centre.

FLAG DV are a free legal advice group for victims of domestic violence.

They offer free family law legal advice appointments to enable people who have experienced domestic abuse to make informed decisions that empowers them to safely leave the abuse behind.

As well as providing legal advice appointments, they also act as a bridge of support by providing a clear pathway into other support organisations. This ensures a more holistic network is established to enable a better outcome for clients.

Disability Law Service is a unique charity that provides free legal advice for disabled people in categories such as employment law, welfare benefits, community care law and disability discrimination. Not only can they provide this advice over the phone or via email, but they have online resources/factsheets that they can send as well.

Their purpose is to fight against the injustice of those who are disabled, so they can get the legal rights they deserve.

The Mind Legal Advice Line provides advice on mental health related law including Mental Health and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity, Community Care, and Discrimination.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on a variety of health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

PALS provides help in many ways.

For example, it can:

  • Help you with health-related questions.
  • Help resolve concerns or problems when you’re using the NHS.
  • Tell you how to get more involved in your own healthcare.

PALS can give you information about:

  • The NHS.
  • The NHS complaints procedure, including how to get independent help if you want to make a complaint.
  • Support groups outside the NHS.

PALS also helps to improve the NHS by listening to your concerns and suggestions, and then acting on it.