Your Benefits are Changing

Tel: 0300 303 1073 or text change to 80018

Web: www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk

Free and independent advice on which benefits are changing, how you might be affected and how you can get ready for the changes.

Money Advice Service

Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

A free and impartial service, set up by the government to help people make the most of their money. They give money advice to everyone across the UK – online, on webchat, over the phone, in printed guides and face to face.

Turn2us

Web: www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us is a free service that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations. The Benefits Search is a free and easy to use calculator to help you check what benefits you might be entitled to and information on different benefits.  Also has a grants search with information on grants from over 3000 organisations.

Money Made Clear Wales

Web: www.moneymadeclearwales.org

Website giving easy to read information on savings, loans and debts. It’s a Welsh Assembly initiative so you know it’s completely independent and not trying to sell you anything.

Student Finance Wales

Web: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

This is where you apply for grants and student loans if you’re thinking of doing a university course.  It has lots of information regarding student finances and has a calculator which will show you how much you would be entitled to.

University of South Wales

Web: www.southwales.ac.uk/about

Tel: 01633 432 432

The University is based on five campuses spread around South Wales. The cities of Cardiff and Newport have campuses, plus there are 3 more rural campuses in Pontypridd and Caerleon.  The campuses are student communities with a great atmosphere. On campus, you’ll find everything you need in one place – your classes, the library, places to eat and drink, and friends to spend time with.

The university has financial advisors who can help you work out how you would be able to finance your university studies.

Coleg Gwent

Tel: 01633 466000 (Newport)

Tel: 01495 333456 (Crosskeys)

Web: www.coleggwent.ac.uk

Offers full and part time, recreational and higher education courses.  They can also offer free training to people working less than 16 hours per week.  Childcare can be funded for some full time courses – speak to the college for further details.

Before you Start Education

Remember – if you want to enrol on a college or university could you will need to check out how you can arrange childcare and transport – there is help for some courses and there are grants available so it’s worth asking.  Also worth checking that the course you want to do doesn’t affect your benefits – speak to the Lone Parent Advisors at the Job Centre or Careers Wales who will be able to give you clear advice for your personal circumstances.

Careers Wales

Tel: 0800 028 4844

From a Mobile: 02920 906800 (They will call you back for free)

Web: www.careerswales.com

Careers Wales provide the all age, independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance service for Wales. The overall focus for the service is to help people make effective decisions and become independent in managing their careers.

Change4Life

Web: www.change4lifewales.org.uk

With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, we don’t move about as much, or eat as well as we used to. Would you or your family like to be healthier and happier?  Would you like loads of ideas, recipes and games to help you do this? Then join the thousands of other people in Wales and sign up today. Change4Life also have some great Apps available for free including the ‘Fun Generator’ – a good tool for finding fun games to play with your children. Just search ‘Change 4 Life’ in your favourite mobile App store.