With winter approaching and the on-going cost of living crisis, many people are increasingly worried about how they are going to pay bills, heat their home and put food on the table.

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck would like to remind residents to seek help early on and that they are here to offer free advice and support.

Experienced advisers are available to provide support about a wide range of issues including, debt, energy advice, employment, benefits and housing. There is a range of support available particularly to low income households which many residents many not know about.

Advice is provided through multiple channels including telephone, email, video conferencing and face to face from their offices in Wimborne and Wareham and from outreach services across the region. Home visits are also offered to those more vulnerable people who are unable to access these services.

Free Carbon Monoxide Monitor

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck are offering free Carbon Monoxide Monitors. Please speak to an adviser for a chat about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and a free monitor will be ordered for you.

Drop-in Locations

Local residents can call into one of the drop-in sessions at the following locations. Advice is free and no appointment is necessary:

• Wimborne Citizens Advice - Monday 10am-12noon

• Wareham Citizens Advice - Thursday 10am-12noon

• Ferndown Library - Tuesday & Friday, 10am-2pm

• The Centre, Barns Road, Ferndown - Thursday, 10am-2pm

• Lytchett Matravers Library - Friday 10am-12noon

• Swanage Town Hall, Wednesday 10am-2pm (except first Wednesday of the month)

• Herston Village Hall, Swanage - First Monday of each month 10am-12noon

And by appointment only at:

Bovington Hive, Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council, Swanage Library, Upton Library &

Verwood Library.

For details of all of outreach and drop-in locations visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/in-person

For general advice and support call the Dorset Adviceline freephone 0800 144 8848 (Textphone: 0800 144 8884), 10am-4pm weekdays or visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk

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For more information contact:Sian Smith, Comms Officer, tel: 01929 408947, email: sian.smith@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk

About Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck have offices in Wareham and Wimborne with outreach clinics throughout East Dorset and Purbeck.

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to enable them to find a way forward whatever problems they face. We value diversity, promote equality, challenge discrimination wherever we see it and aim to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. Visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk for more information.

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck is a registered charity, charity number: 1068414