The office will be CLOSED on WEDNESDAY 31 JULY due to staff training.

 

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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If you require help with food:

https://www.harrow.gov.uk/benefits/help-cost-living/3.

 

If you are experiencing domestic abuse:

If there’s an emergency: call the police on 999.

National Domestic Abuse helpline (women): www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk | 0808 2000 247

Respect (Men’s Advice Line): www.mensadviceline.org.uk | 0808 8010327

 

If you are experiencing homelessness

Harrow Council Homeless team: www.harrow.gov.uk/housing-property/homelessness | 020 8424 1093

Firm Foundation: www.firmfoundation.org.uk | 020 8426 5515

Shelter (housing advice): www.england.shelter.org.uk | 0808 800 4444

 

If you require employment advice

ACAS: 0300 123 1100

 

If you require debt advice

National Debt Line: 0808 808 4000

Step Change: 0800 138 1111

 

If you require benefit advice

Help to Claim (Universal Credit): 0800 144 8 444

Citizens Advice national website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits

Advice Now: www.advicenow.org.uk

 

Citizens Advice Harrow is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Day!

We are looking for dedicated, hardworking individuals who can support our team and the residents of Harrow.

 

Date: Wednesday 20 March 2024

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: 4 Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2FB

 

Volunteering with us offers you the opportunity to:

• Meet new people.
• Develop new skills.
• Contribute to your community.
• Enhance your employability skills.

 

Roles we offer:

• Adviser
• Information Support
• Administration
• Reception
• Project Support
• Research & Campaigns
• Trustee

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If you are interested and would like to learn more then come along and find out more!

Please confirm your attendance, via email volunteer@citizensadviceharrow.org.uk.

Thank you, we look forward to meeting you!

Citizens Advice Harrow will be CLOSED on WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2024, due to staff training.

 

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL:

Harrow Council’s Social Services:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm          020 8901 2680

Out of Hours          020 8424 0999

 

Domestic Violence

Free phone 24/7          0808 2000 247

 

Reporting homelessnes          020 8424 1093

Email:          housing.advice@harrow.gov.uk

Homeless Enquiry Form:          www.harrow.gov.uk

Rough sleepers – Streetlink (24/7)          0300 5000 914

 

Served eviction notice          www.harrow.gov.uk

 

Harrow Food Bank         020 8416 7344

Holy Trinity Church Wealdstone HA3 5QX: Normal Day (Tues/Fri)

South Harrow Baptist Church HA2 8EB: Normal Day (Mon)

Rayners Lane Baptist Church HA2 7HW: Normal Day (Sat)

Kenton Methodist Church HA3 0XF: Normal Day (Wed)

 

Harrow Warm Hubs          www.harrowgiving.org.uk/warmhubs/

 

Help to Claim National number          0800 328 5644

Citizens Advice Help to Claim          0800 144 8444

Citizens Advice Harrow will be CLOSED from Monday 25th December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024.

 

WE REOPEN ON TUESDAY 2 JANUARY 2024. 

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL:

Harrow Council’s Social Services:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm          020 8901 2680

Out of Hours          020 8424 0999

 

Domestic Violence

Free phone 24/7          0808 2000 247

 

Reporting homelessnes          020 8424 1093

Email:          housing.advice@harrow.gov.uk

Homeless Enquiry Form:          www.harrow.gov.uk

Rough sleepers – Streetlink (24/7)          0300 5000 914

 

Served eviction notice          www.harrow.gov.uk

 

Harrow Food Bank         020 8416 7344

Holy Trinity Church Wealdstone HA3 5QX: Normal Day (Tues/Fri)

South Harrow Baptist Church HA2 8EB: Normal Day (Mon)

Rayners Lane Baptist Church HA2 7HW: Normal Day (Sat)

Kenton Methodist Church HA3 0XF: Normal Day (Wed)

 

Harrow Warm Hubs          www.harrowgiving.org.uk/warmhubs/

 

Help to Claim National number          0800 328 5644

Citizens Advice Help to Claim          0800 144 8444

Festive shopping season is approaching. Online shopping can be convenient and save you time — but whether you’re shopping for your loved one’s presents, festive decorations or just treating yourself, make sure you take steps to protect yourself.

Here’s our top tips to avoid scams and help you shop online safely this festive season:

1. Does it seem too good to be true?

If it seems too good to be true — it probably is. This is especially true for products which are ‘must-haves’ or are sold out in major retailers. It may seem like the perfect present, but you might end up with nothing.

Be wary of sites offering big discounts, and ensure that you’re buying from the retailer’s official website so that you know it’s a genuine product. You can find out if a company is registered by searching their details on gov.uk. Sole traders (someone who runs their own business) and partnerships (where two or more people run a business together) don’t need to register with gov.uk, so you’ll need to do further research on their site to make sure they’re a genuine seller

2. Check you’re buying from a trustworthy retailer

Do some background research into the company. Start with an internet search about the retailer and have a look at their official website. Make sure you find their return and refund policies so you can understand your rights if something goes wrong with your purchase. Find out how they can be contacted, where in the world they’re based and whether they’re part of a consumer protection scheme.

Seeing what others say about the retailer can help you find out if it’s a legitimate seller or not. But remember to look into reviews on other websites too, not just their official website.

3. How do they want you to pay?

Be cautious when a seller asks you to pay by an unusual means such as in iTunes vouchers, crypto currency or via bank transfer. These are harder to track and lack the vital protections that you get when paying by debit or credit card or by a third party app such as PayPal. Whichever way you pay, make sure you check the terms and conditions to understand what you’re paying for.

We can help you understand your consumer rights and stay #ShopAware.

Find out more about your rights on our consumer advice pages and contact our Consumer Helpline if you need more help.

Article is written by Laura Humayun at Citizens Advice, source https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/shop-online-safely-this-festive-season-4a1149c12c7e

Scams Awareness is an annual campaign aiming to:

• Give people skills to identify scams
• Encourage people to share their experiences
• Help people gain the confidence to report scams

https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/what-scams-you-should-look-out-for-3ebb563627b1  Scammers reach out in a number of ways, providing substandard services and trying to take your money. This could involve someone contacting you unexpectedly by telephone or email, coming to your door with a too good to be true opportunity or offering false information through online advertising.

We’re helping you stay #ScamAware by sharing 5 scams you should be on the lookout for…

1. Fake text messages and emails, known as ‘friend-in-need scams’

There’s been an increase in the number of people receiving messages claiming to be from their relatives/children, asking them to reply on a new number before requesting money.

If you get one of these messages — be suspicious. Don’t be rushed into making any quick decisions. It’s okay to take your time, and if someone is pressuring you to send money or personal details then it’s most likely a scam.

Try and contact your relative/child directly on a known number, or ask them to share a voice note, to confirm if the message is genuine. Only consider the request if you’ve done these checks and are 100% sure the request is from someone you know and trust.

2. Home Improvement scams

We’ve seen a number of people being scammed when booking home improvements this year.

If you’re being pressured to pay upfront for work, or the company you’re working with is adding on additional costs before completing the work, it might be a scam.

Find out more on how to avoid home improvement scams here.

3. Online shopping scams

Watch out for fake adverts when shopping online. If you spot something you want to buy, make sure you protect yourself by:

• Read reviews from different websites
• Find the company’s details on Companies House
• Look at their terms and conditions
• Pay by debit or credit card

4. Used car scams

When purchasing a car, avoid scammers by doing the following:

• Looking for an established firm with a good reputation, and links to a trade association (for example, the Retail Motor Industry Federation or the Scottish Motor Trade Association)
• Check the car’s history. These checks are simple, don’t take long and don’t cost much
• Inspect the car and take a test drive
• Avoid purchasing via auction or through Facebook Marketplace — they offer less protection if something goes wrong.

Find out more about protecting yourself when buying a used car on our website.

5. Financial scams

If you’re contacted for an investment opportunity unexpectedly by email or social media, it could be a scam.

If you’re not sure about a financial opportunity you’re being offered, get advice from a trusted source and don’t be rushed into making any quick decisions. It’s okay to take your time.

Never give money or personal details, like passwords or bank details, or transfer cash to someone you don’t know or have only met online.

Need more help?

Then we’re here for you! Visit our website for all of our advice or contact us to speak to one of our advisers.

You can also head to Friends Against Scams to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams.

Useful links:

• Check if something might be a scam
• Learn how to protect yourself from scams
• Get help with scams 

Blog by Jessica Rigby https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/

What can people do?

Stop and get advice. Contact Citizens Advice online at citizensadvice.org.uk/scamsadvice or on 0808 223 1133 (0808 223 1144 for Welsh language).

Report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or @actionfrauduk on Twitter.

Talk with friends, family and neighbours about scams they’ve experienced.

Citizens Advice Harrow thanks its volunteers for their vital support during cost-of-living crisis

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, Citizens Advice Harrow has seen a huge number of enquiries from local people struggling to stay on top of household bills.

Thanks to the tireless dedication of its volunteers and staff, Citizens Advice Harrow has continued to give essential advice and crisis support to help people find a way forward.

As part of Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June 2023, Citizens Advice Harrow wants to thank its volunteers for their exceptional contribution to the charity and local community.

 

This year for Volunteers’ Week, we are organising free lunch EVERY DAY of Volunteer’s Week, as a small token of our appreciation.

 

29 volunteers at Citizens Advice Harrow contribute 161 hours each week.

In the last year Citizens Advice Harrow have dealt with 14,375 issues, mainly in debt, housing, benefit and employment. In the past year, we have made 23,435 activities and have generated an income gain of £988,013.

 

Veena, one of the volunteer Receptionists at Citizens Advice Harrow has volunteered for 9 years. They said:

Helping others is the best way to help myself with positive energy and greater understanding of the current socioeconomic situation in Harrow. I meet people from all walks of the community and understand their day-to-day difficulties.

Volunteering helps me with better physical and mental health. I feel helping others keeps me socially connected and energises me to face the challenges, I encounter in my personal life as a mother and a grandmother.

 

Tajinder Nijjar, Chief Executive Officer/Chair at Citizens Advice Harrow said:

We have an incredible team of volunteers who freely give their time and skills to ensure people in Harrow can get support in their time of need.

I’m particularly proud of the immense dedication they’ve shown during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, when demand for our service is so high. Their dedication and commitment to the local community knows no bounds.

We dealt with over 14,000 issues in the past year, and this wouldn’t have been possible without our fantastic team of volunteers.

Thank you for everything you do.

 

If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering with Citizens Advice Harrow, visit our website www.citizensadviceharrow.org.uk/volunteering to download an application pack. No experience is required, full training and support is provided for volunteer roles.