"REALLY USEFUL LINKS"

Local Government

• Kent County Council
• Swale Borough Council
• Faversham Town Council
• Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey
• Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and MidKent

Useful Agencies

• ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations.
• AdviceGuide - CAB public access information system from Citizens Advice.
• AmicusHorizon – the major provider of social housing in Swale.
• Avante Partnership – the leading provider of residential care homes and care at homes services in the South East. They also provide support for young people and families with children who are experiencing difficulties and other services to assist people to live independently (formerly Kent Community Housing Trust).
• Citizens Advice - national association of CABx
• Community Legal Service Direct. Need information about a legal problem? Want to know who and where your local adviser is? Does it cost anything and can you get financial help?
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service – The UK’s leading debt help charity.
• Child Poverty Action Group – CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and their children.
• Court Service – provides money claim forms online from courts.
• Debt questions answered on-line or by email.
• Department for Work and Pensions – the DWP is responsible for welfare and pension policy (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/).
• Directgov – public services all in one place, covering everything from disability rights to domestic violence and government departments.
• Financial Services Authority (FSA). The independent watchdog set up by government to regulate financial services and protect your rights. Also has a lot of nice links to other sources of information on financial matters.
• HM Revenue & Customs – HMRC is responsible for tax collection and the administration of some welfare benefits.
• Kent Family Mediation Service – a service provided across the County for separating and divorcing couples to help them come to an arrangement between themselves and with respect to their children and financial affairs.
• - provides news and information for Trade Unionists, workers and the labour movement.
• Legal Services Commission - check if you are eligible for legal aid
• Low Pay Unit - provides information on employment rights
• National Debtline- a helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with your debt problems.
• Office of Fair Trading – contains advice on consumer rights, competition policy, consumer protection and lists of OFT publications and press releases.
• Payplan – free debt management plans, IVAs and free debt advice.
• Pro Bono Unit - barristers who offer free advocacy.

Other Charities

• Charity Commission - the independent regulator for charitable activity.
• Big Lottery Fund - formerly the National Lotteries Charity Board.
• Shelter – a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing.
• Sure Start, the government programme to deliver the best start in life for every child.

Others

• Railway timetables on line
• Directory enquiries on line
• Shepherd Neame, Faversham