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Advice Services

Derry City and Strabane District Council has established this programme with support from the Department for Communities.

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Advice Services Support Programme aims to:

  • Provide free independent advice and information to people who are in most need.
  • Ensure that advice is both available and accessible to all.
  • Make a real difference to the lives of people who are in most need in the community.

To date Council has led the way throughout Northern Ireland in terms of how it commissions and funds the generalist Voluntary Advice Sector.  Council have always strived to achieve both value for money and to maximise the impact of its funding for advice, benefiting those who are most in need.

All funded Advice Providers in Derry City and Strabane District Council area will use the Advice Ni Advice Pro System.  The Advice Pro System is an evidence based research methodology for the resourcing of advice services.

In addition, Council has introduced a Quality Standard for all Council Funded Providers, by way of a “Charter Mark”, which is from Gold to Bronze – currently all providers have achieved the Gold Award Standard:

Gold:        
Advice North West
Dove House Community Trust
Resource Centre Derry

Derry City and Strabane District Council currently funds three Advice Service Providers as follows:-

Advice North West                             

5th Floor Embassy Building
3 Strand Road
Derry
BT48 7BH
Telephone:0300 3033 650

or

17 Dock Street
Strabane
BT82 8EE
Telephone:0300 3033 650

Debt/Money Advice line: 02871370337

Email: [email protected]
www.advicenorthwest.com

Members of the public seeking advice in relation to benefits and workers rights are encouraged to visit the Advice North West’s website https://advicenorthwest.com/coronavirus-updates

Dove House Community Trust                                      

32 Meenan Square
Derry
BT48 9EX
Telephone:  028 7126 9327
Email: [email protected]

www.dovehousecommunitytrust.org

Resource Centre Derry                                                 

Carnhill
Derry
BT48 8BA
Telephone:  028 7135 2832
Email: [email protected]

www.resourcecentrederry.com

In addition to the above, providers offer an Outreach Service at a range of locations within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.  In special circumstance Home Visits can be arranged.

Advice Providers cover the follow Core Services:

  • Benefits Advice
  • Consumer Advice
  • Employment Advice
  • Housing Advice
  • Money and Debt
  • Health and Disability
  • Tribunal Representation
  • Basic Immigration
  • Referral to Specialist Organisation(s)

General Principles which cover Standard and Guidelines for Derry City and Strabane District Council Advice Centres

Independence:

  • From public/statutory bodies and political bodies.

Impartiality:

  • Advice provision without any prejudice, free from commercial, political or other limiting considerations.

Accessibility:

  • Suitable location
  • Clearly identified
  • Disability friendly
  • Open at least ten hours per week (to suit local demand)
  • Free of any symbolism which identifies it with any party political or sectarian perspective
  • No charges or invitations or pressure to make donation


Confidentially:

  • Advice provided in privacy by trained advisor.  No details to be passed on to other agencies without the client’s knowledge and consent.

Effectiveness:

  • The Advice Centre(s) should provide an appropriate Management Committee to oversee the effective services and foster a spirit of co-operation amongst providers.

Accountability:

  • The Advice providers will be accountable to Council for funding and to the communities served under their clients.

Contact:

Patrick O’Doherty
​Community Development Officer
Derry City and Strabane District Council
47 Derry Road
Strabane
BT82 8DY

Telephone:  028 7125 3253 Ext 4386
Email:  [email protected]

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