Adviceline 08444 111 444

 

Getting help for clients has never been easier thanks to the new Cheshire Adviceline launched by the Cheshire Advice Partnership.

 

Our trained Citizens Advice volunteers can help callers with anything from debt, benefits and employment to housing, discimination and family breakdown plus everything in between. The system has been introduced to cut waiting times and make sure those in greatest need are helped as soon as possible. Adviceline works on a system similar to the triage model seen in hospital A&E departments. This tried and tested method diagnoses the callers needs and creates a plan of action.

 

The new number is currently available to residents of Cheshire West, Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton. Residents in Macclesfield and surrounding areas will be able to access Adviceline from the end of April 2011 – in the meantime you can call 01625 426303 Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm for telephone advice.

 

The 08444 111 444 number aims to give clients low rate calls. In addition callers from mobiles are offered an alternative 0300 number when they contact Adviceline to ensure they can also benefit from low rate calls.

 

Adviceline opening times are 9.30am-3.30pm Mon-Fri and for residents of Cheshire West Adviceline is also open on Saturdays from 9am-12.30pm.

 

Although this is the first time we have promoted Adviceline, call rates have soared since its ‘soft’ launch in April 2010, proving the service is a great hit with our clients. Of the 12,000 calls answered 40% of callers have gone on to have an appointment with an advisor and 60% have either received enough information to help or have been signposted to another organisation. In addition clients can access Money Made Clear, Bereavement Services and Consumer Direct through Adviceline.

 

We would like to send a special thanks to the dedicated volunteers and staff who have made Adviceline a success – without them we could not have helped so many people.

 

NB please note that if you are registered with the Online Referral System you should continue to use this system when referring clients.

 

Keep your directories up to date with our latest contact numbers:

 

Adviceline 08444 111 444* 9.30am-3.30pm Mon-Fri & in Cheshire West Sat 9am-12.30pm

Age UK Cheshire 01606 884 440 or 01244 401 500 Mon-Fri

Age UK East Cheshire 01625 612 958 10am-4pm Mon-Fri

Shelter 0808 800 4444 8am-8pm Mon-Fri and 8am-5pm Sat & Sun

 

                                                                              *please note this number has changed since April 2010

 

 

Online Referral System

 

The Cheshire Advice Partnership Online Referral System (ORS) launched last summer has proved a great hit with community organisations across Cheshire. Almost 300 clients have been helped to date thanks to the new, easy to use web-based system.

 

“I have always found the Online Referral System very easy to use and effective”

                                                                               Sabine Isaac, Weaver Vale Housing Trust

 

The Online Referral System is a new and innovative tool that is available to community organisations and services that refer clients to Age UK, Citizens Advice and Shelter.

 

By filling in a simple online form you can give your clients access to a wealth of services and support. The system is quick and efficient and takes just a few minutes to complete.

 

Once we have received your referral whichever of the three major charities you have selected are committed to calling a client back within 3-working days (please note any emergency cases presented are dealt with as soon as possible to meet the needs of the client).

 

The team have been getting round to see Associate Partners to demo the system and set workers up with user names and passwords. If you would like one of the CAP team to come out and demo the system please contact Fran Wilson on 01606 596 394, email cap@cwcab.org.uk or see the Online Referral System pages on this website.

 

CAP FREE training

 

Signposting & Referral – sharing good practice workshop - since the summer the CAP team have trained over 70 workers from over 30 different organisations across Cheshire. Feedback and evaluation has been overwhelmingly positive with all delegates agreeing that the right amount of material was covered at the right pace and that they would all be taking ideas back to their organisation to implement and discuss. The team would like to send a special thanks to Cheshire East Voluntary Action, EPNAVCO and Chester Voluntary Action for hosting a number of the workshops.

 

E-learning for www.adviceguide.org.uk - Adviceguide is the Citizens Advice online public information service. It provides round-the-clock, up-to-date information on common areas such as benefits, housing and employment, debt and consumer and much more. The e-learning session, free for Associate Partners has proved incredibly popular with more and more community organisations utilising the website and its expertise.

 

Mark of Quality for Information – over 50 of our partners have applied for the Cheshire Advice Partnership Mark of Quality for Information. Workbooks and supporting materials will be out in the next few weeks – watch this space.

 

If you would like to find out more about any of the Cheshire Advice Partnership free training opportunities please call the training team on 01606 596 391 or email amyj@cwcab.org.uk