Advice Machynlleth

Bro Ddyfi Advice Centre

Aims and Objectives

To provide an independent, free, impartial and confidential Advice Service to everyone.

To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, or the services available for them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.

To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services.

Who we are and some of the things we do

  • Bro Ddyfi Advice Centre, (BDAC), is a registered charity (no. 1111040)
  • A member of AdviceUK the UK's largest organisation for independent advice Centres
  • We provide a Generalist Advice Service
  • We also provide specialist advice in debt and welfare benefits and hold the Community Legal Service Specialist Quality Mark for these two areas.
  • Our Money Advice Caseworkers are members of the Institute of Money Advisers, and Accredited Intermediaries for Debt Relief Orders (DROs).
  • We are an alternative office for the Department of Work and Pensions which is of particular value in our rurally isolated area.
  • We run 3 drop in sessions a week, enabling people to seek assistance when they need it.
  • We offer the only home/hospital visiting service in the area.
  • We also provide outreaches in three surrounding villages.
  • We are also the only advice centre in the area to represent clients at First Tier Tribunals.
  • We use appointments to carry through specialist casework in debt and welfare benefits.
  • We operate a telephone and postal service and advice by e-mail.
  • We provide a weekly help desk in the local Magistrates Courts in Welshpool working with Her Majesty's Courts Service on their Problem Solving Initiative, to help reduce reoffending (for which we were awarded the High Sheriff of Powys Award in February 2011)
  • We work with other groups to provide the same service in Aberystwyth Magistrates Court.