Help And Support For Local Communities

A special roadshow event is bringing important help and advice direct to the community, with information and support for people during the current economic climate and beyond, at the Triangles Community Centre on Monday 21 September from 10am-3pm. This includes information on a range of help available, and advice for residents who may be missing out on benefits and services.

The event is being organised by Dover District Council's Health and Well-being Team and members of the team, with a range of other partners, will be at the mobile Gateway in the car park at the Triangles Community Centre, St Radigunds. Many other agencies and groups who can offer help, advice and guidance, from benefits support to training and education, will also be there. This includes the Citizens Advice Bureau, Jobcentre Plus, Kent Library Service, Kent Adult Social Service, Police Community Support, Dover District Volunteer Centre and the Pension Service. Kent Trading Standards will be there to promote their Stop the Loan Shark campaign. Kent Adult Education will be running taster sessions and skills testing. The Dover, Deal and Sandwich Children's Centre is providing a free creche from 12 -3pm. It is intended that the roadshow will be held in other areas of the district later in the year.

The roadshow also launches a week-long campaign in St Radigunds by the Kent Benefits Partnership, working with DDC. The campaign, which runs from 21-25 September, aims to help people find out whether they are eligible for benefits and if so, how they can make a claim. As well as the event on 21 September, benefit specialists will also be at the Triangles Community Centre on Tuesday 22 September from 2pm-4pm, and on Thursday 24 September from 10am-11.30am. They will also be with the mobile library and at the school gate at the White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts.

The Kent Benefits Partnership was set up in 2003 by Councils in Kent and Medway to help raise awareness of how to claim Council Tax and housing entitlement.

To contact the Kent Benefits Partnership, call 0845 345 0310 or visit www.kentbenefits.org or to contact the DDC Health and Well-being Team, call 01304 872338 or email healthandwellbeing@dover.gov.uk.