The Maldon Bureau is a member of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. A registered Charity, its principal funder is Maldon District Council.
The Aims of the CAB Service are:
The Bureau is:
The CAB Service is:
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provides free, confidential, impartial advice to everybody, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability.
Services Available
Signposting
The Bureau will provide information about other agencies. This will include the address and telephone number of that agency, and, if known, the opening hours and a contact name.
Advice Services
The Bureau will provide advice on any enquiry within areas covered by the information systems - particularly:
- Money advice - Family and personal matters
- Consumer - Immigration and nationality
- Benefits - Health
- Tax and duties - Social care
- Employment - Education
- Housing - Administration of Justice
Advice services involve:
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Making a diagnosis about the issue presented by the user
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Identifying other related issues
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Collecting information as a basis to advice
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Providing information relevant to the person and their situation
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Explaining relevant options, consequences and limitations applicable to the particular circumstances of that user
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Identifying an appropriate way forward for the person and the problem.
In providing advice, help will be given to users to assist them in taking agreed actions on their own behalf. This could include drafting of letters for the person to sign, assistance in completing forms and making referrals to other agencies who could help the user. It could also include making telephone calls to resolve immediate issues. However, after the visit the responsibility for taking action lies with the user.
Referral Services
The Bureau will provide referrals to other agencies in appropriate cases. This will include detailed information about another source of help (where, when, whom, for what and with what possible results). The Bureau will assist the user to make contact and to get a satisfactory outcome. The responsibility for taking action lies with the user and the bureau.
Taking Action and Casework
In certain circumstances the Bureau will take action on behalf of a user within each of the subject areas given above. Bureau staff will only take action which users have agreed to. Taking action will include:
Specialist advisers are available in the areas of Debt Advice, Employment and Welfare Benefits and, if appropriate, they will represent clients at Employment, Social Security and other Benefit Tribunals.
The Bureau will decide on what action they are able to take after contact [from the client] in the light of local needs and the resources available. In making their decisions the Bureau will pay particular regard to the needs of those individuals and communities who are, for whatever reason, unable to represent their own interests or who are likely to face discrimination in gaining access to their rights and services.
Useful Contact Points
Social Services (E.C.C.) - Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon. Tel: 854011
St Peter’s Hospital, Spital Road, Maldon (blood tests & X-rays via GP’s referral)
Accident & Emergency
Casualty / Outpatients Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 440761
Housing: Plume Housing Association, The Square, Holloway Road,
Heybridge. Tel: 841180
Consumer: Office of Fair Trading, Beehive Lane, Chelmsford.
Tel: 01245 341800
Debt: Witham Debtline. Tel: 01376 512168
Income Tax: Inland Revenue, Iceni House, Newland St., Witham.
Tel: 01376 500011
Household: Water - Essex and Suffolk, Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 491234
Probate Registry: Level 3, Haven House, 17 Lower Brook St., Ipswich.
Tel: 01473 253724
Essex County Council: County Hall, Chelmsford
Gypsy Liaison Officer. Tel: 01245 492211
Department of Social Security:
Beeches Road, Chelmsford (open 9.30 - 3.30) Tel: 01245 214300
47 Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6DR.
Tel: 01702 222300
Benefits for people with disabilities - Free phone 0800 88 22 00
Health: Burnham Surgery ; Foundry Rd
Burnham Clinic, Crouch Road, Burnham. Tel: 782656
Community Health Council, Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 352305
North Essex Health Authority, Collingwood Rd., Witham.
Tel: 01376 516515
Health and Safety Executive, 39 Baddow Rd., Chelmsford.
Tel: 01245 284661
Legal and Matrimonial:
Chelmsford County Court, London House, New London Road,
Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 264670
Chelmsford Magistrates Court. Tel: 01245 251727
Coroner. Tel: 01245 264670 Ext 311
Relate. Tel: 01245 258680
Essex Probation Service - Juveniles/Adults, Witham.
Tel: 01376 501626 (+ 4 Market Hill, Maldon) Tel: 856247
Employment and Unemployment:
Job Centre:The Gemini Centre, New London Road, Chelmsford.
Tel: 01245 545000
Careers Office, Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon.
Tel: 853552
General: W.R.V.S., Maldon. Tel: 852709
Maldon Library. Tel: 853556
Chelmsford Borough Council. Tel: 01245 490490
Maldon & Burnham Standard. Tel: 852233
Registrar, Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon.
Tel: 852849 (Mon. 2-4.30, Tues. 9.30-12.30 & 2-4.30,
Wed. 2-4.30, Thurs. 9.30-2.30, Fri. 2-4.30)