Citizens Advice (East Dorset)
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The East Dorset branch of Citizens Advice
operates from a main office in Wimborne. There is also an 'outreach'
centre in Ferndown. Citizens Advice can give you advice on benefits,
employment law, debt, housing rights, consumer affairs and family
relationships. You can contact them by telephone - the Dorset central
contact number is 0344 245 1291, email them using the contact form on their web site, or visit them in Hanham Road Wimborne.
Community transport in Dorset
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The Community Transport Directory
is maintained by Dorset Council. Community Transport can get you where
you need to be and help you to make essential journeys, if you do not
have access or the finance to provide this yourself. Via this source you
can search for schemes by area, day of the week and type of transport.
NeighbourCar
is a West Moors based volunteer car transport service primarily to help
with transport to / from medical appointments. You must register with
the scheme ahead of need - and notify them several days in advance A
charge is levied on a 'per-mile' basic - contact the duty co-ordinator
on (telephone) 079 221 252 66 to discuss requirements. There is a page on this web site with a little more information - this will open in a new window. [
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Sedcat (South-East Dorset Community Accessible Transport)
is a charity dedicated to meeting the transport needs of people with
mobility issues to prevent social isolation and loneliness. Much more
information is contained on their website, which opens in a new window.
If you cannot access this web facility telephone them on 01202 598 295.
From the 12th December, a new telephone advice service is available ... " Linking Dorset
", operated by Morebus, it aims to provide advice on an array of
transport opportunities, including local bus services, community-based
minibus schemes, community car schemes, dial-a-ride. The advice line is
only open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm on weekdays ( not Public Holidays
). Once armed with the information, the users of the service will be
able to contact local schemes themselves for further information and to
make a booking - where required. The telephone number is: 01202 586 055
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The Coronavirus
pandemic, that has affected the UK from February 2020, has now dictated
the actions of all of us: for this reason, there is a specific page on this web site
[ opens in a new browser window ], which collects together sources of
information and help/advice. It can be accessed by using the "
Covid-19 " entry in the main index ( top of page ).
GoodNeighbour (volunteer-led assistance for small, 'one-off' tasks)
East Dorset
GoodNeighbours: this is a group of volunteers who can help older people
with small one-off tasks they can no longer do themselves. Do you need
help to change a lightbulb, re-tune a television, take rubbish to the
tip, post a letter, walk a dog, fill in a form etc. You will be asked
for a minimum £2 donation for every job carried out. All volunteers are
DBS checked.
Telephone 01202 834 034 to talk to someone who can advise you what is available.
Help & Care (charity providing information, advice & support)
Help and Care is a
registered charity that supports people and communities to live the
lives they choose. They are able to provide information, advice and
support to take control of your life, make decisions and find support
that is appropriate. The web site for Help & Care
has much more information: if you find it difficult to navigate and/or
use this site, telephone them on 0300 111 3303, Monday - Friday, 10 am
to 4 pm.
Family Information & Social Care Services
Dorset is blessed
with a wealth of on-line services that can inform & advise on a wide
range of family matters - for all age groups and requirements.
The Dorset Family Information Directory
is a central resource covering education & learning, early years
& childcare, health & well-being and young peoples service. It
is hosted on the Dorset Council web site, with a search facility to make
it easy to find the help you need. Should you have difficulty with
accessing the web site, they have a telephone number: 01305 221 066
(office hours only).
For help specific to adults,
regarding such topics as abuse, care & support, paying for care,
health and well-being and much more, then use the Dorset Council: Care and support for adults web page.
For help
specific to children & young people, such as schools, childcare,
Special Educational Needs (SEN), concern about apparent abuse,
activities and much more, then use the Dorset Council: Children and families web page.
If
you have difficulty accessing the links above, or interpreting the
information on the web pages, call this telephone number . . . 01202 228 760, which is the contact point for the east Dorset area of Dorset Council, or the main switchboard for Dorset Council . . . 01202 221 000