Need advice? If you live in Bath and North East Somerset, we can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.
Our advice is free, confidential, independent and impartial.
There are several ways to get help. Choose the option that works best for you.
Online
Our website has practical guidance on a wide range of issues, including benefits, work, debt and money, healthcare, law and rights, and more.
You may be able to find the information you need and work out what to do next without speaking to an adviser.
Start with our online advice. In addition to the advice we have on our website, the main Citizens Advice website has information you may find useful.
If you still need help, you can contact us by phone or visit one of our drop-in sessions.
By phone
You can call us for free on 0808 278 7897, Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 2.30pm.
When you call, you’ll speak to an adviser who will ask you about your situation and outline the best way to help.
If you call outside our opening hours, you will hear recorded advice.
In person
Drop in and see us
We have three offices where you can drop in without making an appointment:
What to expect:
Drop-ins are first-come, first-served. When you arrive, you’ll be given a ticket if we have capacity to see you that day.
Please note that drop-ins take place in public community buildings. Because these are open spaces, please be aware that you may be discussing information with us while other people are nearby. If you need to talk about something particularly sensitive, please let us know and we’ll consider the most appropriate way for you to get help.
Make an appointment
Some advice and specialist services we provide are by appointment.
In many cases, your first contact with us will be through our adviceline or at a drop-in session. After assessing your situation, we will arrange for you to have a further appointment if appropriate.
An appointment may be offered if:
• Your problem needs more detailed advice
• You need help from a specialist adviser
• You need more time to discuss your circumstances
• You need help with a particular form, application or ongoing problem
If an appointment is appropriate, we will explain what happens next and how your appointment will take place.
Appointments may be provided by phone, online or in person, depending on the service and your circumstances.
Some specialist services we provide have specific eligibility criteria and appointment arrangements. These are explained on the relevant service pages.
What to expect when you contact us
Whichever route you use, our first priority is to understand what is happening and work out what kind of help would be most useful.
1. Tell us what is happening
You don’t need to know which area of advice your problem falls under. Tell us what’s happened and what you’re worried about. We may ask you questions about your circumstances so that we can understand the problem properly.
2. We work out what you need
Depending on your situation, you might need:
• Information or advice to help you deal with the problem yourself
• A further appointment with us
• Signposting or referring to a specialist service or another organisation that is better placed to help
What to bring with you
If you can, please bring any documents or information related to your problem. This might include
• Letters or emails you’ve received
• Bills or statements
• Benefits decisions
• Tenancy or housing documents
• Employment documents
• Details of your household income
• Information about deadlines or other appointments
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. Contact us anyway. We can tell you what information will be useful.
Accessibility
Phone: We provide a textphone service through Relay UK for people who cannot hear or speak on the phone.
In person: Our Manvers Street and Keynsham offices have audio induction loops.
If you need a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please contact us before your visit so that we can arrange this.
Alternative formats: Please contact us if you need information in a different format (for example, large print, easy read, audio or Braille).
See our accessibility page for additional information.
Opening hours at a glance
| Advice line | Monday to Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm |
| Bath drop-in (Manvers St) | Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9.30am – 2pm |
| Bath drop-in (Weston Hub users) | Wednesday, 9.30am–2pm |
| Keynsham drop-in | Monday, 9.30am–2pm |
| Midsomer Norton drop-in | Wednesday, 9.30am–2pm |
Opening times and availability can sometimes change, so please check the relevant service page before travelling.
Not sure which option to use? That’s ok. You don’t need to work it out yourself.
Call our free adviceline on 0808 278 7897 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am–2.30pm) or visit one of our drop-in sessions and we’ll take it from there.
