'There is a lot of support available if you’ve lost your job or are facing redundancy. This page will give you some of the best sources of free support and advice - from deciding what type of job to go, how to find and apply for jobs and sources of financial advice and support.
A list of useful contacts is at the bottom of the page.
Support, Advice & Development
Next Step provides information and advice to support adults in making appropriate decisions on a full range of learning and work opportunities. You able to choose how to access their advice via a contact centre, a website and also a face-to-face service. They offer help on writing a CV as well as interviews.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and an Incapacity Advisor (for those who wish to claim Employment Support Allowance) are available at Council Connect at the Hollies in Midsomer Norton on alternate Thursdays. A Lone Parent Advisor is available every Monday (from 23 March 2009) at the Midsomer Norton Children's Centre. The Council Connect and Children's Centre sessions are both by appointment only. Call 01225 303 200 for more advice.
Working Links is available at Council Connect at the Hollies on alternate Thursdays (the Thursdays when the DWP surgeries are not running) and alternate Fridays. It provides a service to help get people with long-term sickness back into the workplace. Appointments only.
City of Bath College is offering support if you’re looking for a job, want help choosing a career or just need a hand to get you moving in the right direction, contact the College for free impartial careers advice.
Their careers advisers can help you to identify the job or career that’s right for you and then work with you to plan how to get there. They offer a range of services including planning how to get a job, CV development, job search skills, developing a skills action plan, Free Careers advice for Adults over 19 years and plenty more.
To book an advice session call: 01225 328715/716 or email adviseme@citybathcoll.ac.uk
Connexions provide a surgery at Council Connect at the Hollies every Friday for 16-19-year-old school leavers and provide careers advice and support. Appointments and drop in.
Business Link in the South West provide information, advice and support for starting, running and growing a business. Their service is impartial, providing practical solutions to customers and they offer an independent solution to individual business needs.
The Princes Trust works with young people enabling them to move into work, education or training by developing key skills, confidence and motivation.
Training
The City of Bath College and Norton Radstock College offer extensive training to help you develop a wide range of skills and gain formal qualifications. City of Bath College are also running ‘beat the recession’ courses.
The Lifepilot website is for any adult who may be interested in studying at a higher education level.
Libraries
Local libraries can be a very useful resource for all sorts of advice and support. Access to the internet is available at all libraries. There is a charge to book time on the computers, but concessionary rates are available and many websites – including job and business-related sites - are free to access.
Please visit your local library or check out our Libraries web pages for more information.
Debt counselling
There are a number of organisations who can help you if you need advice about how to manage your debts. It is important that you try and address these issues as soon as you possibly can. A list of useful organisations is in the money advice section of this guide.
Useful contacts