The Advice Centre is an instant help drop-in venue giving free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of matters including debt, benefits, consumer issues, employment rights and housing, legal issues, utility services and relationship problems. Jim Price, from the Trustee and Management Committee for the BAC explains more.
At the Brecon Advice Centre 2 part-time staff and 10 unpaid volunteers, all highly trained, experienced and dedicated, help nearly 2000 clients every year. It costs £30,000 per annum to operate the Centre and raising this sum is an ongoing major challenge for us.
We have been funded during the 2013-14 financial year by local community councils, Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon Town Council, Crickhowell Town Council, Powys County Council, Brecon Rotary, the Welsh Government and SSAFA. Also, equally generous donations have been gratefully received from several other smaller organizations and private individuals.
Brecon Advice Centre (BAC) has, since October 2002, been an independent registered charity affiliated to Advice UK, and operates from 12 Castle Street, Brecon. Advice is available for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, age or marital status.
Before 2002, the Centre had been part of the Powys County Council funded Powys Citizens Advice Bureau for over 30 years, but broke away over plans to change services in Powys which, would have been detrimental to Brecon and the surrounding area by leaving it with what we felt would have been a very limited service.
As a result of our brave decision to become independent in 2002, coupled with the awareness, understanding and generous support from our local community since then, the Brecon Advice Centre (BAC) is thankfully able to continue to operate by being open from 10am to 1pm every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, providing a comprehensive service where no appointment is needed.
So, if you need free helpful advice, just walk in to 12 Castle Street, Brecon, for a sympathetic and confidential discussion (no appointment needed) or alternatively telephone the Brecon Advice Centre on 01874 624595
