Local Advice Providers
Citizen's Advice Bureau
Citizen's Advice Bureau give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a limitless range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. CAB are only able to advise people who live in their local vicinity. Please try to contact the bureau which is nearest to you.- Chester-le-Street CAB, Chester-le-Street, tel: 0191 3893000
- Derwentside CAB, Stanley, tel: 01207 218845
- Durham CAB, Durham City, tel: 0191 3842638
- Easington CAB, Peterlee, tel: 0191 5862639
- Sedgefield CAB, Spennymoor, tel: 0870 1212024
- Teesdale CAB, Barnard Castle, tel: 01833 631486
- Wear Valley CAB, Bishop Auckland, tel: 01388 606661
Community Legal Service
Community Legal Service(CLS) Telephone helpline: The following service is funded by the Legal Services Commission to provide free advice for people who are financially eligible for public funding.Debt or Money Advice
Benefits & Tax Credits
Housing
Employment
Education
Tel: 0845 3454345
Durham and Darlington Family Mediation Service
Durham and Darlington Family Mediation Service (NCH): Provide mediation for parents who are separating or divorcing to help resolve disputes concerning children. Aim to help parents make arrangements which are in their children's best interests. Contact centres in Durham and Darlington where children and parents can meet. Appointments can be arranged in: Durham, Consett, Peterlee, Annfield Plain, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Seaham and Barnard Castle. Tel: 0191 5819911Consumer Advice
A telephone based consumer advice service on a wide range of problems with goods and services is available to residents of County Durham by contacting Consumer Direct North East.
Consumer Direct North East is a new government backed service in partnership with local authority Trading Standards Services, providing clear practical advice for consumers on all sorts of issues or complaints. You can call for information before buying goods or services, or if you need assistance when problems occur.
This can be problems with bills, warranty disputes, faulty and dangerous goods, and poor workmanship. This information will normally help you to solve the problem on your own.
Consumer Direct provides a quick efficient service dealing with the majority of consumer complaints. County Durham residents, with more complex consumer problems will be referred to Durham Trading Standards Service, for additional support in pursuing their case through to the civil courts if necessary.
Consumer Direct North East Contact Information
- Telephone - 08454 040506
- Text phone - 0845 1281384
A confidential translation service is available in many languages if required.
- Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 6.30pm.
- Saturdays - 9.00am to 1.00pm
You can submit a complaint online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/cotact?action=complain
Further information on your consumer rights can be found on the internet at www.oft.gov.uk and www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
If you are unable to access the telephone based service of Consumer Direct North East , please contact us at:
Durham County Council
Environment
Trading Standards
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UB
Telephone: 0191 3833589
Email: consumerservices@durham.gov.uk
Welfare Rights
Durham County Council Welfare Rights team is part of the Community Support Unit. It is independent and has no connection with any agencies administering the payment of benefits. The main part of the team’s work is to maximise benefit and to represent those who have had their claims rejected or their benefit reduced or removed.End House - Durham Young People’s Centre
End House, the Durham Young People's Centre, offers free and confidential advice, information and support to young people aged 13 - 25, living in and around Durham. Tel: 0191 3831414Racial Equality Council
Racial Equality Council, Durham and Darlington, provides advice on racial harassment, racial discrimination and the law, particularly on employment, housing and statutory service provision.Racial Equality Council Durham and Darlington,
3 Redhill Villas
Miners Hall
Durham
DH1 3DA
