Citizens Advice Barnsley

11/09/2025

If you're worried about paying your energy bills, want to know more about changing tariffs or switching suppliers, or have questions about your Smart Meter, you can visit us at the Healthy Homes Event in Barnsley Market tomorrow!

Staff from our Barnsley Energy Advice and Training Project will be available from 9am to answer all your energy related questions. And if you have a complex question that we can't help you with on the day, we can book you in for an appointment!

Come along to our Healthy Homes Event at Barnsley Market this Friday 12 September. Our Warm Homes Team will be hosting the event from 9am to 2pm. 💡✨

The event will offer free advice and support to help residents make their homes warmer and more affordable to run.

You'll get to meet DIAL, Berneslai Homes, Citizens Advice Barnsley, Wates, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Age UK, Cloverleaf Advocacy Service and Green Doctors.

Attendees can also get free blood pressure checks from the How’s Thi Ticker team.

04/09/2025

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

The test will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets across the UK.

▪ You will hear a loud siren-like sound, vibration, and a message will appear on the screen confirming that this is a test.
▪ The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds even if your device is set to silent.
▪ The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.

Some people may need to take action to avoid receiving this test alert e.g. victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone. In such cases, the person will need to opt out of receiving alerts. Find out more at www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out

Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them.

There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare.

01/09/2025

Your energy supplier needs regular readings from your gas or electricity meter to work out your bills. If you don’t send them readings, they’ll estimate your usage. This means your bill might be too high or low.

Call your supplier to give them the readings - or check if you can submit one on their website or app.

If you can’t get to your meter, your energy supplier might be able to give you extra help to read or move your meter.

If you have a smart meter it will usually send readings to your supplier automatically - this is known as ‘smart mode’ - but sometimes you might need to confirm details with a manual reading - for example when:

🔹You’ve just switched supplier - you normally need to send the first meter reading yourself�
🔹You switch supplier and they say they can’t connect to your meter - this can happen if you’ve got an older smart meter�
🔹Your smart meter isn’t working correctly

For more information on how to read your gas and electric meter, please visit the Citizens Advice website link below:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/how-to-read-your-energy-meter/

If you have queries about your meter readings or energy bills, or need help with any energy related problems, you can attend our weekly face-to-face advice session which runs every Tuesday 9:30 - 12:30, on the 1st Floor at Wellington House, S70 1WA.

There’s no need to make an appointment - you can just drop in.

31/08/2025

CHANGES TO SOUTH AREA COUNCIL OUTREACH ADVICE SERVICE

Please note that there will be no Welfare Rights adviser at the Hoyland Centre on Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon for the foreseeable future. However, the generalist adviser will still be available as normal.

If you need specific help with a benefits issue, a Welfare Rights adviser will be available at Darfield Community Centre every Wednesday morning from 9am and at Wombwell Library every Thursday afternoon from 1pm.

This means that until further notice the outreach schedule will be as follows:

◾️ Monday - The Hoyland Centre, 3pm - 7pm (Generalist Adviser only)

◾️ Tuesday - The Hoyland Centre, 9am - 12.30pm (Generalist Adviser only)

◾️ Wednesday - Darfield Community Centre, 9am - 12pm (Welfare Rights and Generalist Advisers)

◾️ Thursday - Wombwell Library, 9am - 12.30pm (Generalist Adviser)
◾️ Thursday - Wombwell Library, 1pm - 4.30pm (Welfare Rights Adviser)

All sessions are free to attend and available on a drop-in basis to anyone who lives in Darfield, Hoyland Milton, Rockingham and Wombwell Wards.

28/08/2025

OUR PENISTONE ADVICE SERVICE IS RELOCATING

Our face-to-face advice sessions for residents of Pen*stone East and Pen*stone West wards, which are usually held at Pen*stone library, are moving to Pen*stone Town Hall/Cinema Complex on Shrewsbury Road, while the library building undergoes planned refurbishment.

The library relocation is planned for the week commencing 1st September, therefore we will be unable to deliver an advice session in Pen*stone on Wednesday 3rd September.

Our next face-to-face advice session in Pen*stone will be as follows:
☑DATE - Wednesday 17th September
☑TIME - 9am to 12pm
☑VENUE - Pen*stone Town Hall/Cinema Complex

It will then continue to be held at Pen*stone Town Hall/Cinema Complex on the first and third Wednesday of the month, until further notice.

You can also get advice by completing the contact request form on our website at https://barnsleycab.org.uk/get-advice/ and an adviser will get back to you, usually within 2 working days but at busy times this may take a little longer.

26/08/2025

LAST FEW PLACES REMAINING!
If you want to develop your digital skills and confidence, there’s still time to book onto our ‘Connect and Learn’ digital skills courses that are running in September…

But you’ll need to book soon as we only have a few spaces left!

Over 4 short sessions we’ll teach you things like:
🛜 How to use a smartphone or tablet
🛜 How to set up an email address
🛜 How to use apps and online forms

Here’s all the details about our next courses:
Course 1 runs between 10am and 12pm on Tuesdays, starting 09/09/2025.
Course 2 runs between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesdays, starting 10/09/2025.

Both courses will take place at Library @ the Lightbox in Barnsley and run for 4 weeks.

To request a place on our Connect and Learn Digital Skills Course, please call 01226 664482 and leave a message with your name and contact telephone number. We’ll usually call you back to arrange the booking within 2 working days - but at busy times it may take us a little longer.

22/08/2025

CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER BANK HOLIDAY

All Citizens Advice Barnsley services will be closed for the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 25th August 2025. Services will resume as normal on Tuesday 26th August 2025.

While we are closed, online advice and information can be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can fill in our online contact form at barnsleycab.org.uk/get-advice, giving details of the issues you need help with and we’ll respond on our return (Usually within 2 working days but at busy times this may take a little longer).

20/08/2025

NO FACE-TO-FACE ADVICE SESSION AT LAVENDER COURT THIS WEEK OR NEXT THURSDAY

There will be no face-to-face advice drop-in session at Lavender Court on Thursday this week (21st August) or Thursday next week (28th August).

The service will resume on Thursday 4th September, 9:30am - 12:30pm, at Lavender Court, Croft Road, Kendray, S70 3FG.

(For residents of Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough.)

Alternatively, you can request advice by completing the contact form on our website at https://barnsleycab.org.uk/get-advice/ and an adviser will get back to you.

15/08/2025

FOR CENTRAL AREA RESIDENTS NEEDING FACE-TO-FACE ADVICE ON MONDAY…

If you’re a resident of Barnsley Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot or Worsborough wards and need face-to-face advice on Monday 18th August, please go to the afternoon drop-in session at Worsborough Common Community Centre on Warren Quarry Lane from 1pm- 4pm, as we are unable to deliver advice from Wellington House that morning.

There is also a drop-in advice session for Central area residents on Thursday at Lavender Court, Croft Road, Kendray, 9:30am - 12:30pm.

Alternatively, you can request advice by completing the contact form on our website at https://barnsleycab.org.uk/get-advice/ and an adviser will get back to you.

12/08/2025

OUR FREE DIGITAL SKILLS COURSE RUNS AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER!

Our ‘Connect and Learn’ digital skills courses have been so popular that this time we’re running two! Now you can choose from a session on a Tuesday Morning OR a Wednesday afternoon!

Whether you’re totally overwhelmed with the idea of getting online, or just need a basic digital skills refresher to build up your confidence, our Digital Skills Coaches will support you every step of the way.

Over 4 short sessions we’ll teach you things like:
🛜 How to set up an email address
🛜 How to stay in contact with online friends and family
🛜 How to save money by shopping online

☑Course 1 runs between 10am and 12pm on Tuesdays, starting 09/09/2025.
☑Course 2 runs between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesdays, starting 10/09/2025.

Both courses will take place at Library @ the Lightbox in Barnsley and run for 4 weeks.

PLACES ARE LIMITED, SO PLEASE BOOK NOW!

If you’re interested, complete our simple online enquiry form https://forms.gle/vMfTV1wagrCZrG9FA (you can get someone to help you fill it in!) or give us a call on 01226 664482 and leave a message with your name and contact telephone number. (We’ll usually call you back to arrange the booking within 2 working days - but at busy times it may take us a little longer.)

07/08/2025

APPLY NOW TO JOIN OUR EXPERT TEAM OF ADVISERS

The deadline to apply for the Generalist Adviser post at Citizens Advice Barnsley is one week away. If you think you’re right for the role, please submit your application by noon on Thursday 14th August.

The successful candidate will join our dynamic, client-focussed team to deliver high quality advice to Barnsley residents via telephone, video, email and face-to-face.

Experience of delivering general advice, with a good understanding of interviewing skills, would be ideal. But if you’re able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, and have the willingness to learn, we also welcome applications from candidates who require training for the role.

➕Hours: 37 hours per week
➕Salary: £25,724 per annum, depending on experience
➕Contract status: Fixed term to 31st August 2028
➕Holiday entitlement: 32 days annual leave and public holidays

For a digital application pack, job description and person specification, please go to www.barnsleycab.org.uk/jobs

CLOSING DATE: 12 noon Thursday 14th August 2025
INTERVIEW DATE: Tuesday 26th August 2025

Funded by BMBC Universal Service

23/07/2025

TEMPORARY CHANGES TO CENTRAL AREA ADVICE SERVICE SCHEDULE

If you live in Barnsley Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot or Worsborough wards and need to use the Central Area advice service, here’s some updates you need to know:
🔵 From Thursday 24th July, the face-to-face drop-in advice session at Lavender Court in Kendray will start at the later time of 9:30am till 12:30pm, until further notice.

🔵 From Wednesday 30th July, pre-booked appointments at Pollyfox Community Centre will be temporarily unavailable, until further notice.*

🔵 On Monday 4th August, there will be no drop-in at Worsborough Common Community Centre.**

*Alternative pre-booked appointments are available on Thursday mornings, 9:00am - 12:00pm, at Maltas Court Community Centre, Worsborough Dale. To book, please call 01226 107066 and leave a message requesting an appointment with the Central area advice service, giving your full name, contact telephone number and brief details of the issue you need help with.

**There are other drop-in advice sessions you can attend for Central Area at Wellington House in Barnsley on Monday morning, 9am-12pm and at Lavender Court in Kendary on Thursday morning, 9:30am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary, just turn up.

For full details of all our face-to-face advice sessions in the community, please go to barnsleycab.org.uk/get-advice (below the email contact form). Alternatively, complete the form online and an adviser will aim to answer your question within two working days.