UK Bill Help

There are a few day programmes available at First Stop Centre. Any individual that lives in Essex or nearby towns, and that is struggling, can stop by for help. The main programmes run include free advice on applying for benefits and help with addressing debt arrears. The social workers from the centres can also provide vouchers to local food banks in Essex as well as basic education classes and more.

Many people benefit from the services from the centre. They help the homeless access shelter or provide them food. Single parents in Essex may get help with their needs, such as clothing. Other clients are ex-offenders or senior citizens. Anyone facing poverty, that lives in Witham, Braintree, Maldon, Essex, Halstead, Chelmsford, or Dunmow can get free advice on the programmes below.

Benefits help in Essex

As many families on a low income know, applying for benefits can be difficult. The forms are long and difficult to understand. This is even more true for people that may not have the highest education levels or that are immigrants to Essex. Staff from First Stop Centre can help residents apply for many benefit programmes available by the UK government.

Food and hunger prevention is one key aim. The charity will assess the needs, and take a few steps. They may offer a voucher to a local Trussell Trust food bank, or provide an emergency parcel themselves. It can have groceries and canned items, and the aim is to feed anyone in poverty.

First Stop Centre also helps with homeless prevention. The agency will help clients apply for local schemes for a deposit or a housing allowance. Information on tenant rights is also given.

Debt help is available, as many people struggle with arrears. When possible, staff from the charity will help clients take steps to reduce the bills and debts they owe. In some cases, the free advice they give is enough, but in others, they will need to refer people to other local agencies in Essex.

Counselling is available at a low cost. This covers various issues, such as domestic violence to feelings of stress or inadequacy. Staff from the centre are trained to offer this service to all people from the community.

Employment and job skills from First Stop Centre

Anyone from the community can enroll into the Basic Education workshops. It can be for people that do not have a job, or maybe an individual wants to acquire new skills. There are many different classes run by the charity, and they include English and Match classes. Staff from the centre offer help with reading and grammar. As far as math, this touches upon understanding data and computations.

First Stop Centre staff also help with IT skills. Teachers will help students with spreadsheets and learning to find the way around the Internet, the proper use of computers, and software such as word processing. By the time the IT classes are done, people will be able to create their own Cvs and search for jobs.

Other Job Skills are covered too. The organisation will help people register on job sites and practice for interview. There are also workshops on creating CVs as noted above, as well as finding employers that are hiring in Essex.

The main address of the centre is 29 Bocking End, Braintree, Essex, or call 01376 346535. If the agency can’t help, they will signpost people to partners such as Christ Church, Braintree, Greenfields Housing Association, Essex Council, or other organisations.