About Us

Advice in County Durham is a partnership of local advice providers, committed to working together to improve the provision of advice across County Durham.

Our aims

The partnership aims to provide a seamless service for those seeking advice and enable organisations providing information and advice to work in a more collaborative way for the benefit of all concerned.

With austerity measures and funding cuts leaving more people in need of help and resources available to advice organisations being reduced, the need for new ways of working is greater than ever.

How will it work?

The partnership will redesign access routes to advice by joining up the provision in simple pathways that both agencies and clients will understand, to ensure that there is ‘no wrong door’ when it comes to helping clients.

Clients will get a single point referral, easier access, earlier intervention, reduced waiting times and faster emergency response.

Organisations delivering advice will have the opportunity to gain approved centre status as a member of the partnership network, reflecting the level of service delivered.

Our members

Advice in County Durham is resourced with two staff.  A Network Development Officer hosted and funded by Citizens Advice County Durham and an Advice Coordination Officer hosted and funded by Durham County Council.

Advice in County Durham is led by a partnership board made up of Durham Community Action (current chair of AiCD), Durham County Council, Citizens Advice County Durham, Age UK County Durham, Durham Christian Partnership (Durham Foodbanks and Durham Money Advice Centre), representatives from the housing sector and Durham County Council Area Action Partnerships along with two representatives from the wider network membership (on a one year rolling cycle).

Advice in County Durham will continue to develop a network of members committed to new ways of working.

All of these organisations offer free and independent advice on issues including debt, welfare benefits, employment, discrimination and housing. These services are invaluable in our communities, ensuring that people of County Durham have access to the advice, assistance and representation that is essential in tackling inequality and improving people’s lives.

Membership Benefits

How to get involved?

We are looking for organisations to join our network, which deliver information, signposting or advice services and are committed to:

For more information please contact kate.burrows@cdcab.org.uk or alternatively complete the registration form.

Contact details