Self Help

Here you can find some sources of help within the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot area.

Please note, not all of the organisations listed are part of the SNPTCAN Referral System.

Money and Debt Advice

You can access free, impartial information and guidance on money matters from a number of excellent advice providers.

All debt matters can be advised upon. Some providers may even be able to offer support on money management also.

There are some great publicly funded, free websites that you can use to sort out your debt problems yourself. You can do budget sheets, look at ways to maximise your income, and find sample letters and fact sheets to use to help sort out your debt without visiting an advice centre.

Stepchange

Website: www.stepchange.org

Tel: 0800 138 111 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm)

Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/debt-and-money/

Tel: 0808 278 7926

Swansea CAP Debt Centre

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a national debt counselling charity working through a network of nearly 300 local churches.

Website: CAP UK | Help with debt

Telephone: 0800 328 0006

Discretionary Assistance Fund

The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides two types of grant that you do not need to pay back as follows:-

Emergency Assistance Fund to help pay for essential costs such as food, gas, electricity or emergency travel

Individual Assistance Payment to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property> you an use the grant to pay for white goods or furniture.

Website: www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf

Money Helper

Website: Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper

Tel: 0800 138 0555 (Welsh)* 0800 138 7777 (English)*

Debt Advice Foundation

Website: https://www.debtadvicefoundation.org

Tel: 0800 043 40 50

National Debtline

Website: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

Tel: 0808 808 4000

Mental Health and Money Advice

Helping you understand, manage and improve your mental health and money issues.

Website: http://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/

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Benefits Advice

It is very important to check that you are getting the right benefits for you. You should be getting all the benefits you are entitled to and challenge any decisions you think are unfair. All advice centres listed can help you with benefit claims and general benefit advice.

Benefit Calculators

Find out what benefits you may be entitled to and how to claim using these free, easy to use benefits calculators.

Website Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Website Benefits Calculator – entitledto – independent | accurate | reliable

There are some great local benefits advice agencies that can help you to check what you are entitled to, assist you in making a claim and deal with general problems with entitlement and payments.

Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot

Website Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot – Cyngor ar Bopeth Abertawe Castell-nedd Port Talbot (citizensadvicesnpt.org.uk)

Tel 0808 278 7926

Email help@citizensadvicesnpt.org.uk

Address Second Floor, City Gates, 50a Wind Street Swansea SA1 1EE

Kin Cymru

Helps parents of children with disabilities claim the benefits they are entitled to

Website http://www.kincymru.org.uk/

Email info@kincymru.org.uk

Tel 01792 485151

Swansea Carers Centre

Website: Home – Swansea Carers Centre

Email: admin@swanseacarerscentre.org.uk

Tel: 01792 653344

Age Cymru West Glamorgan

Website: Age Cymru West Glamorgan | Swansea, NPT and Bridgend (ageuk.org.uk)

Email: enquiries@agecymruwestglamorgan.org.uk

Tel: 01792 648866

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer the following agencies can help:-

Macmillan Cancer Support

Website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

Tel: 0808 808 0000

Maggie’s Swansea

Website: Maggie’s Swansea | Maggie’s (maggies.org)

E Mail: swansea@maggies.org

Tel: 01792 200000

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Emergency Food Provision

Many Food Banks operate via a voucher and/or referral system. Vouchers for food banks can be obtained through your support worker, doctor, health visitor, Social Worker, Citizen’s Advice or other agency/ organisation. Please do not let obtaining a voucher put you off getting help when you need it.

Swansea Council Foodbanks and Support

Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/foodbanks

Neath Port Talbot Council Foodbanks

Website: www.npt.gov.uk/31522

Swansea Foodbank

Website: www.swansea.foodbank.org.uk

Matthew’s House

Website: www.matthewshouse.org.uk/emergency-food-provision-takeaway-service/

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Housing Advice

Help with Homelessness, help to stay in your current accommodation or help to find somewhere new to live.

Shelter Cymru

Free, independent advice on housing issues and homelessness.

Website: www.sheltercymru.org.uk

Email: swansea@sheltercymru.org.uk

Tel: 01792 469400

The Wallich

Help and advice on where to get help if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Wales.

Website: www.thewallich.com/help-advice

Swansea Housing Options

Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/housingoptions

Tel: 01792 533100

NPT Housing Options

Website: www.npt.gov.uk/1200

Email: housingoptions@npt.gov.uk

Tel: 01639 685219

Care and Repair Western Bay

Care and Repair help older people in Swansea Neath and Port Talbot to live independently at home.

Website: https://www.careandrepair.org.uk/en/your-area/western-bay-care-repair/

Email: enquiries@candrwb.co.uk

Tel: 01792 798599

Crisis

Advice and support for homeless people.

Website: www.crisis.org.uk/get-help

Tel: 01792 674900

Email: southwales@crisis.org.uk

ADAPT

Assists disabled people to find suitably adapted accommodation

Website http://www.adapt-swansea.co.uk/home

Email ADAPT@coastalha.co.uk

Tel 01792 479247

Address c/o Coastal Housing Group, 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW

Barnardo’s BAYS+ Youth Homeless Service

Website http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/bays-youth-homelessness-service

Tel 01792 460007

Email bayspartnership@barnardos.org.uk

Address BAYS+ @ Info-Nation, 47 The Kingsway, Swansea, SA1 5HG

Caredig

Provides a wide range of housing solutions for single people, families, older people and people who need support to maintain their tenancy.

Website http://www.caredig.co.uk

Email info@caredig.co.uk

Tel 01792 450042

Address 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN

Coastal Housing Association

Rental and Sale of properties

Website http://www.coastalha.co.uk

Email ask@coastalha.co.uk

Tel 01792 479200

Address Coastal Housing Group, 3^rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NW

Stori Wales

We support adults, children / young people, and families who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse, and those with mental health problems, enabling them to overcome the challenges they face and start a new, positive chapter in their lives. We help them develop new skills, build greater confidence, and access the housing support and employment opportunities they need to live safely and independently.

Website www.storicymru.org.uk

Email soss@storicymru.org.uk

Tel 01267 225555

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Employment Advice

Finding Work and Careers

Careers Wales

Website: Careers Wales | Careers Wales (gov.wales)

Tel: 0800 028 4844

Better Jobs Better Futures

Website: https://www.betterjobsbetterfutures.wales/

Email: info@betterjobsbetterfutures.wales

Work Disputes and Employment Law

ACAS

Website: www.acas.org.uk/advice

Tel: 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)

Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/work/

Tel: 0808 278 7926 (Free Number)

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Immigration Advice

Immigration Advice is a regulated area and Immigration Advisers must be registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). Immigration Solicitors are regulated by the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Advice on finding an accredited Immigration Adviser:

Website: www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

Citizens Advice

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/

Tel: 0808 278 7926 (Free Number)

The below organisations offer a variety of services relating to immigration. Some are able to provide advice and support and even legal advice, while some offer projects supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

Swansea Asylum Seekers Support

Website https://sass.wales/

Tel 07853 717017

African Community Centre

Website https://africancommunitycentre.org.uk/

Tel 0782 5287 334

Asylum Justice

Offering free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers, recognised refugees and other vulnerable immigrants.

Website http://asylumjustice.org.uk/what-we-do/

Email r.brown@asylumjustice.org.uk

Tel Monday evenings between 6.00pm and 8.00pm

Please call: 07983 176230 or 07395 959299

Thursday evenings between 6.00pm and 8.00pm

Please call: 07983 176230 or 07752 27506

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Legal Advice

Swansea Law Clinic

Swansea Law Clinic benefits the local community by offering free and confidential initial advice about legal problems while giving our students the chance to work alongside practising lawyers to advise real clients.

Services available to members of the public, students and University staff.

To enquire about an appointment, please complete our request form, downloadable from our website or email us on lawclinic@swansea.ac.uk.

Website: Swansea Law Clinic – Swansea University

Law Works

Help to find a legal advice clinic near you:

Website: Find a legal advice clinic near you | LawWorks

Law Centres

Help to find a Law Centre near you:

Website: I am looking for advice (lawcentres.org.uk)

Citizens Advice

Website: Finding free or affordable legal help – Home (citizensadvice.org.uk)

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Cost of Living

Swansea Council Cost of Living Help

Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp

Neath Port Talbot Council Cost of Living Help

Website: www.npt.gov.uk/CostofLivingHelp

Nest Cymru

Offers free, impartial advice on saving energy and water, and if eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements.

Website: www.nest.gov.wales

Tel: 0808 808 2244 (Freephone)

National Energy Action (NEA)

Provides advice to householders on their energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home.

Website: www.nea.org.uk/get-help/wash-advice/

Tel: 0800 304 7159

Switched On -Energy Awareness Hub Swansea

Offers independent, unbiased, free support and information to all on how to improve their energy efficiency and switch energy providers.

Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/EnergyAwarenessHub

Warm Wales

Offers free advice, support and referral options to provide affordable warmth to homes and to tackle fuel poverty in Wales.

Website: www.warmwales.org.uk

Tel: 01656 747622

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Consumer Advice and Scams

You can access free, impartial information and advice in relation to consumer issues and scams. Consumer queries that you can obtain assistance with include buying or repairing a car, problem with a purchase, holidays and transport, insurance, home improvements, energy, scams, water, phone, internet or TV, changing your mind, post. You can access free template letters or if you’d prefer to speak to someone there is a helpline available.

Citizens Advice

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/consumer/

Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

Take Five

Website: www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

Action Fraud

National Reporting Centre for fraud and cyber crime. Also advice and updates on recent scams.

Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk

Tel: 0300 123 2040

Think Jessica

Raising awareness of scams and the effects of scams.

Website: www.thinkjessica.com

Email: advice@thinkjessica.com

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Family Matters

Citizens Advice

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family

Swansea Carers Centre

Free, confidential information, advice and support for unpaid carers and the person they look after.

www.swanseacarerscentre.org.uk

Neath Port Talbot Carers Service

www.nptcarers.co.uk

Baby Bank

A volunteer led project supporting vulnerable mothers and their newborn babies.

Baby Basics

Website: www.sts.church/-baby-basics

Email: swanseababybasics@gmail.com

SNAP Cymru

Help and support for children/young people with Additional Learning Needs

Website: www.snapcymru.org

Helpline: 0808 801 0608

EYST (Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales)

Provides a wide range of services to BME young people, families and individuals including refugees and asylum seekers living in Wales.

Website: www.eyst.org.uk

Email: info@eyst.org.uk

Tel: 01792 466980

Contact – for Families with Disabled Children

Information and advice for families with disabled children

Website: www.contact.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 808 3555

Both Parents Matter Cymru

Both Parents Matter Cymru assists parents after separation, especially in respect of non-resident parents with difficulties over child arrangements.

Website: www.bpmuk.org

Helpline:0333 050 6815

LGBT Cymru Helpline & Counselling Service

Counselling and Support Service providing general information, advice and confidential support in many areas of life and various issues that LGBT+ people, their family and friends may experience.

Website: www.lgbtcymru.org.uk

Helpline: 0800 917 9996

Email: info@LGBTCymru.org.uk

Education Advice

Citizens Advice

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/education

Contact – for Families with Disabled Children

Information and advice for families with disabled children

Website: Education & learning | Contact

Helpline: 0808 808 3555

SNAP Cymru

Help and support for children/young people with Additional Learning Needs

Website: www.snapcymru.org

Helpline: 0808 801 0608

Health Advice

Information on NHS in Wales

Website: www.nhs.wales

Versus Arthritis

Website: www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/wales/

Stroke Association

Website: www.stroke.org.uk

Helpline: 0303 3033 100

British Heart Foundation

Website: www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/

Maggies Swansea

Information and support if you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer.

Website: www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-swansea/

Email: swansea@maggies.org

Tel: 01792 200000

Macmillan Cancer Support

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 808 0000

Parkinson’s UK

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Email: hello@parkinsons.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 800 0303

Alzheimer’s Society

Information and support if you are effected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer.

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Helpline: 0333 150 3456

RNID

Information and support for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Website: www.rnid.org.uk/about-us/rnid-in-wales

Text: 07360 268 988

Tel: 0808 808 0123

Email: livewell.cymru@rnid.org.uk

Sightlife

Information and support for people with sight loss.

Website: www.sightlife.wales

Email: ask@sightlife.wales

Tel: 029 20 39 8900

Barod

Providing free and confidential support and guidance to anyone who is affected by drug or alcohol use, either their own or someone else’s.

Website: www.barod.cymru

Email: info@barod.cymru

Tel: 01792 472002

Platfform

Platfform is the mental health and social change charity and works with people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health.

Website: www.platfform.org

Email: connect@platform.org

Tel: 01792 763350

Mind

Information and support for people living with a mental health condition or for someone who is supporting someone living with a mental health condition.

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Discrimination

Citizens Advice

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination

Race Council Cymru

Website: www.racecouncilcymru.org.uk

Domestic Violence

Live Fear Free Helpline

Website: www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/domestic-abuse-wales

Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales

Helpline: 0808 80 10 800

Women’s Aid

Website: www.swanseawomensaid.com

Tel: 01792 644683 (24 hour helpline)

Thrive Women’s Aid

Website: www.thrive.org.uk

Email: info@thrivewa.org.uk

Tel: 01639 894864

South Wales Victim Focus

A free, independent confidential charity dedicated to supporting victims of all crime, including domestic violence and sexual violence, regardless of when it happened or whether the crime has been reported.

Website: South Wales – Victim Support

Tel: 0300 303 0161

Calan DVS

Calan DVS are a domestic violence and abuse service operating in Neath Port Talbot and Mid and West Wales and delivers a specific programme and community service for female and male victims of domestic abuse.

Website: www.calandvs.org.uk/en

Tel: 01639 794448

Stori Wales

We support adults, children / young people, and families who have experienced or witnessed domestic buse, and those with mental health problems, enabling them to overcome the challenges they face and start a new, positive chapter in their lives. We help them develop new skills, build greater confidence, and access the housing support and employment opportunities they need to live safely and independently.

Website www.storicymru.org.uk

Email soss@storicymru.org.uk

Tel 01267 225555

Volunteering

Many organisations make use of volunteers in some capacity. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to your local community. It can also help you gain skills and experience that will help you find work in the future.

Swansea Council for Voluntary Services

Website: www.scvs.org.uk

Email: scvs@scvs.org.uk

Tel: 01792 544000

Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services

Website: www.nptcvs.wales

Email: info@nptcvs.org.uk

Tel: 01639 631246