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About Us
What we offer
- Independent and impartial legal advice
- Confidential, non-judgemental and free advice
- Drop-in and appointment based advice sessions from our main office in St Pauls
- Outreach sessions at various venues
- A daily reception service providing information and a triage facility
- Bilingual advice is available
Our Priorites
St Pauls Advice Centre has been a community resource at the heart of St Pauls for four decades. Our priorities are outlined in our strategic plan as:
- Deliver a professional legal advice service
- Provide an accessible and approachable service
- Make a positive difference
- Maintain, expand and develop services
- Lobby for social change
Our Vision is a thriving community where people feel secure knowing they have a good standard of life built on equality and justice.
Our Mission is that we fight poverty and inequality in our community by providing professional advice and equipping people with knowledge and skills so they can access their rights and fulfil their responsibilities.
Our values
Justice We champion the legal rights of individuals. We pursue fair and just outcomes for people. We challenge discrimination and disadvantage, and tackle systemic inequality.
Approachable We listen to and deal with people warmly and politely. Our services are accessible and available. We are open with clients, colleagues and partners.
Community We improve the lives of local people and the wider community. We listen to and understand community needs. We are committed to supporting local people and community initiatives.
Integrity We are honest and ethical. We are consistent with actions, principles, expectations and outcomes. Our independent and expert service is trusted by our clients, colleagues and partners.
Expertise We are professional, organised and competent. We ensure the advice we give is accurate and up to date. We pride ourselves in supporting our experienced and skilful team.
Respect We respect people’s differences and value diversity. Where possible we adapt our services to take account of different needs. We treat people fairly and consistently.
Impact
History
St Pauls Advice Centre has worked in some of the most densely populated, diverse and vibrant inner city areas of Bristol for over 40 years. Here’s a potted history of our development:
1972 St Pauls Advice Centre (SPAC) opens its doors for the first time
1980 Following the St Pauls uprising, SPAC was centrally involved in developing a defence campaign which served to strengthen community links
1984 Outreach services target Black and minority ethnic people, disabled and older people helping overcome barriers to accessing rights
1998 Specialist benefits advice expanded as a result of securing one of Bristol’s first legal aid franchises
2004 Development of a unique bilingual generalist advice service
2006 Specialist debt advice team, funded by Financial Inclusion Fund
2008 Health outreach service, delivering benefits advice at local health centres
2010 Expansion of services into east Bristol as a result of the demise of East Bristol Advice Service
Today 15 people work in our team, dealing with over 3000 enquiries per year
Join us
Here is a list of current vacancies – paid and voluntary….
Our Privacy Notice for job applicants:
Privacy Notice for Job Applicants
Welfare Rights Adviser (0.5 FTE)
We are looking for someone dynamic, organised and with great people skills to join our well-established, ambitious community advice centre as a Welfare Rights Adviser.
Become an Advocato Volunteer
‘Listening and a voice for those that speak but are not heard.’
Have you applied for benefit and been stressed out, frustrated, angry or upset by the way the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has dealt with your claim? Do you think you could help someone going through that now?
If so, then we want to hear from you!
St Pauls Advice Centre Trustee
We need local people to be on our board of trustees. This is a voluntary position.
Partners
Our commitment to work in collaboration with other agencies is key to our long term success and that of our clients.
We continue to work in partnership with other organisations, building new relationships and collaborating on joint funding opportunities, policy initiatives and service development: