Advice Services

Derry City Council has established this programme with support from the Department for Social Development.

Derry City Council’s Advice Service 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.

Derry City Council’s Advice Service Support Programme is delivered via five principle providers of local advice and information services to ensure that everyone, particularly the most disadvantaged, has access to the right information and the ability to benefit from it. 

The five providers are as follows:

Citizens Advice Bureau
Embassy Court
3 Strand Road
Derry 
Telephone: 028 7136 2444
E-mail: LDerryCAB@niacab.org

Dove House
32 Meenan Square 
Bogside
Derry  
BT48 9EX
Telephone: 028 7126 9327
E-mail: dovehouse@freederry.org

Galliagh Integrated Advice Service
55 Fergleen Park
Galliagh
Derry 
BT48 8LE
Telephone: 028 7135 8370
E-mail: gcdgroup@hotmail.com

The Resource Centre (Derry) 
Carnhill
Racecourse Road
Derry  
BT48 8BA
Telephone: 028 7135 2832
E-mail: donal.feeney4002@fsworld.co.uk

Rosemount Resource Centre
1a Westway
Creggan
Derry  
BT48 9NT
Telephone: 028 7128 2829
E-mail:  infro@rosemountrescourcecentre.co.uk

In addition to the above, providers offer an Outreach Service at a range of locations in Waterside, Rural and Cityside venues.  In special circumstances Home Visits can be arranged.

Advice Providers cover the following 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 Local 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

Confidentiality
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 to all its clients and the community it serves.

Accountability
To the community served and to clients

Provision should be of good quality and demonstrate Best Value by reducing duplication across advice services and foster a spirit of co-operation amongst providers
 

Contact

Gerald McColgan
Community Services Programme Organiser
Derry City Council
98 Strand Road
Derry
BT48 8EN
Tel: 028 7135 1726
Email: shantallow@btconnect.com