Features / #BristolCharityAdvent
#BristolCharityAdvent day 9: North Bristol Advice Centre
Based in Lockleaze, North Bristol Advice Centre (NBAC) is an independent charity that has been delivering advice, representation and community services in across North Bristol and South Gloucestershire for over 30 years.
Their aim is to promote social justice and combat poverty by providing free and independent advice and support that enables people to develop skills, improve wellbeing and make positive changes in their lives and communities.
The charity helps people connect with their community, and offers support in a variety of different ways
The charity helps people at times of financial crisis, works to address the causes of deprivation and supports people to take practical steps to improve their situation in the longer term. Last year they supported over 2600 people.
is needed now More than ever
Their core service is specialist debt and welfare benefits advice, including complex casework and representation at tribunal. They support disabled people and those with long term health conditions to challenge unjust benefits decisions, with an 80 per cent success rate at appeal.
To help people better manage their money, the MoneySmart service provides one-to-one money mentoring for people with additional needs, runs community workshops in schools and supports people to get online.
Community Support at Home clients at Paws for Wellbeing event
The charity also supports older people in the community through Community Support at Home, a home visiting advice service that helps older people stay independent, and Community Navigators Bristol, helping over 50s in North Bristol connect with their community to combat social isolation.
NBAC offers 18 distinct volunteering opportunities across all their projects. Volunteering enables local people to develop skills and increase confidence and enables the charity to reach communities most in need, including through their Community Advice Champions scheme.
One of their major projects came to fruition in January 2014, when NBAC set up a social enterprise, Buzz Lockleaze. Based on Gainsborough Square, this is an employability project, enterprise hub and community food shop, café and garden.
Buzz Lockleaze volunteer Anna’s volunteering highlights from the year
Community Support at Home will be hosting a Christmas Extravaganza for older people in Lockleaze and Horfield on December 12, featuring a Christmas lunch, craft stalls, raffle, carol sing-a-long and more.
To find out more about the charity, visit www.northbristoladvice.org.uk. To support NBAC while doing your Christmas shopping, sign up to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and collect free donations when you buy online.
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