Advice and Help

Helpful information

• A web site called Adviceguide, produced by Citizens Advice, gives helpful information on a wide range of topics. You can also find details of your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), for free, confidential, independent advice, face-to-face and by telephone
• The government web site Directgov gives information and advice on many issues. See especially the Government,  responsibilities and rights section for several topics, including Where to get legal advice
• The official Community Legal Advice helpline can provide free help or legal advice over the phone. It can help with family, debt, housing, employment, education, welfare benefits and tax credits problems
• For more helpful web sites and books see the individual subject sections in A-Z how to find information. For example, see Consumer issues; Disability; Employment; Gay and lesbian; Health and care; Law and your rights; Money matters

Local groups and services

• For local support groups, see the Local Information Database. You can also view the information in printed directories. The online version omits some clubs and societies that have not given permission for their contact details to be included in that version
• All Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire libraries hold the printed directory of local societies for their own council area

National organisations

• Web sites of many helpful national organisations are at WebLinks > Advice and help and also at the specific subject sections of WebLinks
• All charities are listed at the Charity Commission web site in the Register of Charities, which you can search by charity number, name or keyword

Further information

• Library catalogue
• Contact us - for help to find information, from your local librarians
• 'Enquire' - a 24-hour chat enquiry service from the national People's Network. Local librarians take part in 'Enquire' on a rota basis but it is likely that you would be answered by a librarian from another library service

Library contact details and opening times