Funding for a shared citywide system to make access to advice and information on money management, benefits, employment and housing far easier for residents through a ‘one stop advice service’, has been announced.

The service is being funded by nearly £250,000 from the joint Cabinet Office and Big Lottery Advice Service Transition Fund, awarded to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in York, and £80,000 from City of York Council.

George Vickers, Chief Executive of York CAB said: “This is great news for York. The funding is not just for the CAB, but is to support all the advice agencies in York who are already doing a great job in helping local people solve problems.

“Part of the two year project will be to train up move volunteer advisers so that agencies in York can meet the increased need for advice about money, debts, benefits, employment and housing.

“The other part of the project is about transforming how York people are able to get advice in York. The CAB will be working with City of York Council, AgeUK York, York Carers Centre, Future Prospects, Castlegate, Christians Against Poverty, Older Citizens Advocacy Service and the Welfare Benefits Unit to provide a joined up service, including a website. We will all continue to be separate organisations, but we want to make sure that residents get all the advice they need, with a ‘one stop’ approach.”

City of York Council acknowledged the importance of ensuring that residents have access to good advice and affordable credit, when it agreed it’s Financial Inclusion Policy in November 2012.