West Somerset Advice Bureau is an independent organisation, established in 1979, and provides free and confidential advice. It is a registered charitable company and is affiliated to Advice UK. Like Citizens Advice Bureaux, it operates with a team of trained (13-week training programme) and experienced volunteer advisers, backed and supported by 7 part-time salaried staff (including 3 specialist debt and welfare benefit workers). Advice is offered across a broad range of matters including debt and welfare benefits, employment, housing, consumer matters, legal and relationship problems. WSAB provides or assists in the provision of the best confidential advice and information service to meet the needs of the people who live and work in West Somerset. The Board, staff and volunteers share the vision of the organisation, enjoy open, honest leadership and a creative core team. During 2010/11, the Bureau conducted 4,857 client contacts, 3136 interviews, and addressed 13,641 different issues. Approximately 75% of its work is around debt and income maximisation and it generated an additional £440,000 (annualised) for its clients. The Bureau is open five days per week in Minehead, operates three half-day outreach sessions in rural areas of the district and provides home visits where appropriate.
