Public and voluntary sector professionals can get free support to help their service users on the Advice in Action virtual conference, from the Advice in Southampton Partnership . Staff and volunteers can sign up via the event website:
https://conference.adviceinsouthampton.org.uk/ The event started this week and runs for two further weeks.
With increasing pressure on services due to COVID-19, coupled with the reduction in Universal Credit and rising energy prices, Southampton professionals who support residents with needs that can’t be addressed by their own service should know what additional help is available. Staff and volunteers in Southampton City Council, the NHS and local voluntary groups will all benefit from the event.
Offering a range of webinars on Advice in Southampton services as well as hate crime, domestic violence and abuse, carers’ issues, supporting cancer patients, and stopping loan sharks local experts across the city have collaborated to produce the event.
Professionals also have the opportunity to learn how to navigate the Citizens Advice public website to help residents to help themselves. The site provides comprehensive and reliable information on key topics such as benefits, housing, debt and employment and is an invaluable resource for frontline staff and volunteers.
As local residents face the end of the furlough scheme, a cut of £20 per week to Universal Credit and soaring energy prices, they will also benefit from the launch of new “bitesize” videos covering key topics such as saving energy and money advice.
“Advice in Southampton services have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic to support local residents. Our staff and volunteers see first-hand the problems people face, and use their expert knowledge to help people resolve those problems,” says Sarah Brightwell, Project Coordinator for Advice in Southampton.
“We’re excited to share our expertise with local professionals, helping them to better support their service users, and to showcase the work of our dedicated teams through the challenging circumstances of COVID-19. Most of the sessions will be available on demand after the event, creating a brand-new Advice, Information and Guidance resource for workers in local public and voluntary services.
“We’re also releasing for the first time new “bitesize” videos for the general public. The videos aim to provide the information people need to help them resolve their money worries and energy issues themselves.”
To sign up to the conference, visit https://conference.adviceinsouthampton.org.uk/
- Photo by mentatdgt.
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