Our Services
Helping Hands Community Trust offers free, independent advice for people who need support during difficult times.
Some services are available through our drop-in sessions, while others need a booked appointment.
Our key funders
Drop-in services
No appointment needed
Our drop-ins are an easy way to speak to our team face-to-face.
We welcome anyone who needs quick advice or a clear starting point.
You do not need to prepare anything before you come, but any paperwork or information you can bring really helps.
We can help with:
- Welfare benefit advice
- Debt advice
- General advice when you are unsure where to start
- First steps guidance for new or complex situations
- Signposting to specialist or partner services
You can attend any session. No booking is needed.
Some of our services, like form-filling or tribunal support, will require an appointment.
Appointment only services
Some issues need more time, privacy or specialist support.
If that applies to you, we will arrange a booked appointment and explain what will happen next and what we might need to support you with it.
You will need an appointment for:
- Tribunal Support
- Complex Benefit cases
- Complex debt cases
- Help with forms, including Blue Badge and PIP
- Help preparing evidence or understanding decisions
- Form filling that requires time and detailed support
- Appointments with solicitors or legal partners
- Financial confidence and budgeting support
- Any situation that needs a private, in-depth conversation
Outreach Appointments
We also support people through our community outreach programmes. These appointments take place in local settings and may be arranged by our team or by partners.
Workshops
We can deliver fun, educational sessions to children and young people 7 to 18 years old and adults – supporting them understand skills around, budgeting, bills, money, savings, gambling harms, healthy choices, wellbeing and employment etc. We also can offer workshops and one to one sessions to parents and carers in schools and other settings.
Utilita Project
Support for people experiencing fuel or food poverty, offering practical steps and wellbeing guidance.
Foodbank Outreach
Welfare and debt advice are offered at local food banks, with follow-up support if needed.
Would you like more information?
Appointments through Partners
We work closely with trusted organisations that can support you directly. If we refer you to a partner, we will explain why and help you understand the next steps.
We will always explain who you will see, where the appointment will take place, and what to expect.
Support for people with Learning Difficulties and access needs
We aim to make our services as clear and accessible as possible.
We explain things step by step, use simple language and check that everything makes sense.
If you need extra time, a calmer space or support with communication, please tell us.
We will always do our best to help.
Self-help Resources
We are creating a collection of easy-to-read guides to help you understand common issues at your own pace. These will include:
- Benefits information
- Debt and budgeting guides
- Step-by-step form support
- Local signposting
- Helpful tips for appointments and tribunals
These resources will be available soon.
Not sure where to start?
If you are unsure whether you need a drop-in session or an appointment, come to a drop-in first or give us a call.
Our team will listen, talk through what is happening and guide you to the right support.
You can also contact us via telephone or email if you would prefer to talk things through before visiting.