FROM next month visitors to the West Swindon Family Centre will be able to seek advice for a variety of different legal issues.

The new Toothill Advice Point will open on April 16 at the Toothill Community Centre, in Dunwich Drive, and residents will be able to seek free advice and help on a range of issues.

Funded by West Swindon Family Centre, in Gainsborough Way, visitors can seek advice from advisers on the various benefits and tax credits they may be entitled to, including disability living allowance and housing benefit, and they will also be able to seek advice on matters including bankruptcy, debt, rent and mortgage arrears.

Mike Smith, business development co-ordinator at the West Swindon Family Centre, said: “We are excited to announce that a free legal advice service will be available to Toothill residents, starting in April 2015.

“Our advisers can also provide general advice on issues arising from employment law, such as discrimination and unfair dismissal, and family law, such as child maintenance and parental responsibility.

“The social security system in this country can be very complex and confusing, resulting in many people being unsure about their eligibility and entitlement.

“With benefit rules constantly changing it is also hard to keep on top of any alterations to existing entitlements.

“The consumer advice website, moneysavingexpert.com, states that over a million low income pensioners are failing to collect their pension credit, and according to recent figures from The Money Charity, Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales dealt with 6,389 new debt problems every working day in the year ending September 2014.

“We would encourage anyone living in Toothill who wants to access legal advice on their doorstep to take advantage of this service.

“Advice Point Toothill is free, friendly and confidential and can help you navigate through the complex world of benefits, entitlement and the law.”

The service is available only to residents of Toothill, and people under 16 wanting to use the service must do so with a parent or carer.

Appointments are available from 9.30am to 4pm every Thursday, starting on April 16.

To learn more or book an appointment, call West Swindon Family Centre on 01793 871303.