These 2 new initiatives have been recently set up in Wellesbourne.

Village Liaison Officer - Local help for local people in rural areas

The Village Laison Officer (VLO) project in Wellesbourne helps local people find out about local services. This is a free and confidential service from local volunteers.

Whatever the enquiry, the local volunteer will be able to signpost local people to access information. The local volunteers may also help identify what the particular needs are in their communities, and work towards helping to set up new initiatives/projects.

If your organisation is working in Wellesbourne we would like to hear from you, our local volunteers may be able to help with the work you are involved with.

Help and advice provided by our officers

·                                 Information - Acting as an information point in their local community, helping local people find out about local services

·                                 Contacts - Providing contact details of organisations that they may need to contact eg: Councils, voluntary groups etc.

·                                 Up-to-date - Accessing information from the internet.

Information is available in the Library, Parish Council Offices , Surgery, Police Station and Sheltered housing Schemes .

Further information can be obtained From Stratford CVS , 0845 051 1184 or 01789-298115 or email:  ruralservices@stratfordcvs.org.uk or check the CVS website www.stratfordcvs.org.uk

The CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)

The CAB operates from the parish council offices one day a week, to enable advice to be obtained without visiting the main office in Stratford.

As you may be aware, the Citizens Advice Bureau in Stratford upon Avon
 offers a district-wide  service to people who are unable to visit the bureau,
 usually because of age or disability.  We offer benefit checks and help
 complete disability and other benefit claim forms.  We also advise on other
 issues that arise during the course of our visit.
 A typical visit would be to complete Attendance Allowance forms, which
could  lead us to check a client's finances as a whole and ensure that they are
 claiming pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit if  appropriate.  In the year 2004/5, as a result of home visits, in excess of  £400,000 was successfully claimed by residents of the Stratford District  Council area.
 For twelve months from June 2005 we have additional funding aimed at
 maximising the income of people over the age of 60.
 We can offer home visits, particularly to people in rural villages who may
 be on a low income or who may be entitled to claim Disability Living  Allowance, Attendance Allowance or other financial help.
 Village liaison officers may well be in contact with people who could
 benefit from a home visit from us.  We are hoping to get information to as
 many people as possible.

Your local contact is