Advice Agencies
Problems with your gas and electricity bills
Free impartial advice on energy saving in the home - call 0800 512012
Worried about paying your heating bills? Call the home heating helpline: 0800336699
Are you having problems with your energy company? Consumer Direct can advise on:
0845 4040506
Buy with confidence - Approved Traders
Buy With Confidence is a `not for profit` list of approved traders who have been thoroughly vetted and audited by Trading Standards.
Consumers often have difficulty in choosing the right tradesman and Trading Standards has traditionally received numerous compliants regarding bogus callers and the unscrupulous who prey on the vulnerable.
Buy With Confidence is not a commercial venture, instead Trading Standards only allow traders to use their logo once they have proven they can comply with the letter and spirit of the law.
The Trading Standards Dept.,ensure that any trader, his staff and unsupervised sub-contractors provide a clean Criminal Record disclosure certificate.
Go to the West Sussex Ciunty Council Website for more details: http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/trading-standards/buy-with-confidence/
Go to the West Sussex Ciunty Council Website for more details: http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/trading-standards/buy-with-confidence/
Emergency Advice
The Government have a web site which gives very helpful information about what to do and how to cope in an emergency - go to http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/
Handcross & District Debt Advisory Service
HanDDs
The Handcross and District Debt Advisory Service is up and running. It offers free and confidential money advice.
For more information and or help, please ring
The Handcross and District Debt Advisory Service is up and running. It offers free and confidential money advice.
For more information and or help, please ring
01444 401458
Consumer Advice
SAY NO TO DOORSTEP CALLERS
Keep your front and back doors locked at all times. Don't keep large sums of money at home.
If someone comes to your door observe this code:
* STOP - Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment?
* CHAIN - Secure the door bar or chain before opening the door.
* CHECK - Ask for the callers ID and double check it.
If they offer work on your property say "No thanks" and shut the door. (Some of these people who do work on property often fly tip the waste materials from the work they have done - if that happens, the householder can be liable to a penalty for employing a contractor who is not registered)
Trading Standards and the Police want you to say NO to doorstep callers because:
+ They may pressurise or intimidate you to let them do work
+ You may not really need the work they say needs doing
+ They may lie about the real cost of the work
+ You may not get what you pay for
+ You could end up paying more than you expected
+ They may lie about their name, address and telephone number
If you have any problems with a door step caller, please call Trading Standards immediately on 01243 642125 or Sussex Police on 0845 6070999
Trading Standards can offer advice to a householder, provide additional support for vulnerable householders, including, where possible, visiting their home to support them and intervening when the trader is there or is expected to return
HOW CAN YOU AVOID COWBOYS?
+ Use a "Buy with Confidence" trader listed on the Trading Standards approved list. (Call 01243 642124 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/tradingstandards
+ Contact FIRST CHECK POINT on 01903 771023 or visit www.firstcheckpoint.com
+ Seek recommendations from friends, neighbours and family members and obtain more than one quotation before deciding who to employ.
Keep your front and back doors locked at all times. Don't keep large sums of money at home.
If someone comes to your door observe this code:
* STOP - Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment?
* CHAIN - Secure the door bar or chain before opening the door.
* CHECK - Ask for the callers ID and double check it.
If they offer work on your property say "No thanks" and shut the door. (Some of these people who do work on property often fly tip the waste materials from the work they have done - if that happens, the householder can be liable to a penalty for employing a contractor who is not registered)
Trading Standards and the Police want you to say NO to doorstep callers because:
+ They may pressurise or intimidate you to let them do work
+ You may not really need the work they say needs doing
+ They may lie about the real cost of the work
+ You may not get what you pay for
+ You could end up paying more than you expected
+ They may lie about their name, address and telephone number
If you have any problems with a door step caller, please call Trading Standards immediately on 01243 642125 or Sussex Police on 0845 6070999
Trading Standards can offer advice to a householder, provide additional support for vulnerable householders, including, where possible, visiting their home to support them and intervening when the trader is there or is expected to return
HOW CAN YOU AVOID COWBOYS?
+ Use a "Buy with Confidence" trader listed on the Trading Standards approved list. (Call 01243 642124 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/tradingstandards
+ Contact FIRST CHECK POINT on 01903 771023 or visit www.firstcheckpoint.com
+ Seek recommendations from friends, neighbours and family members and obtain more than one quotation before deciding who to employ.
Consumer Direct (south east)
Deals with all sorts of consumers with all sorts of issues or complaints.
Gives free practical, clear, consumer advice on where you stand to help you sort out problems with suppliers and to seek a fair and satisfactory result to your dispute.
Visit their web site:http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
or, call Consumer Direct from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06
Textphone: 0845 128 1384
Citizens Advice Bureau:
01444 458377
Deals with all sorts of consumers with all sorts of issues or complaints.
Gives free practical, clear, consumer advice on where you stand to help you sort out problems with suppliers and to seek a fair and satisfactory result to your dispute.
Visit their web site:http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
or, call Consumer Direct from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06
Textphone: 0845 128 1384
Citizens Advice Bureau:
01444 458377
West Sussex Trading Standards
Gives advice on what to do regarding rogue traders, faulty goods and services
Pensions & Careers
Government "Pension Service": General Enquiries 0845 6060265
There is a
very useful booklet published by the Pension Service called "The
Pensioners' Guide" It gives information about everything from "Money to
Losing a loved one". It is probably essential reading for every
pensioner, or someone nearing pension age. You should be able to get
copies from your local doctors surgery, a main post office or Job
centre. If not, then you can telephone 0845 6065065 for a
copy.
http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Connexions Careers Access
Point (for young people)
Mid Sussex Learning
Centre
Victoria Gate
119-127 South Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex RH16 4LR
Telephone: 01403 261465 (Telephone for an appointment)
Email: haywardsheath.careers@vtplc.com
Environment Agency
Saxon House, Little High Street, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1DH
Telephone - 08708 506506
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone - 08708 506506
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
www.environment-agency.gov.uk