Disability Advice

Provides culturally sensitive advice & support on issues relating to sickness and disability, and advice and information on Disability Issues and form filling.We offer a confidential service at all times, and Advocate on behalf of our clients with other organisations.We offer a referral to specialists services where appropriate, and aim to provide a fully inclusive service to all who come in contact with BIAS. Disability Benefits such as:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Carers Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Blue Badge
• Freedom Pass
• Incapacity Benefit
• Social Funds

Appointments: Tuesdays 10.00-1.00am and Home visits by appointment also.

General Advice

 

General information is available on benefits such as:

• Child benefit,Working and child tax credits, Maternity Benefit
• Social Fund
• Social Service Referrals
• UK & Irish Passports, and Birth Certificates and late Birth Registration (for people not registered at birth)
• UK & Irish Pensions, Pension Credit
• Freedom Pass(over 60)
• Income Support
• Free /Reduced TV License and Winter Fuel Allowance
• Safe Home to Ireland Scheme for over 60's
• Sheltered Housing Referrals for over 60's

Appointments: Tuesdays 10.00-12.00, Drop-in-Session every Wednesday from 10.00-12.30.

 

Elders Community Care Project

BIAS operates a luncheon Club and a Day Care Project. They offer a safe and welcoming environment where Irish people or people of Irish descent can meet and socialise and take part in a range of activities or information sessions. Telephone BIAS and speak to Carmel for further information on 0208 459 6655.

Transition to Old Age

This project developed in July 1999 and aims to provide a holistic and culturally sensitive service to 40-65 year old Irish people in Brent, this project is funded by the Big Lottery. BIAS transition to Old Age Project can offer the following culturally sensitive support:

• Health/Social Care and Needs
• Housing Issues
• Information on specialist support services
• Advocacy and befriending
• Referral to specialist services where appropriate
• Form filling:-housing registration, benefits, passport applications.

Appointments: Mondays & Thursdays 10.00am-1.00pm and Home Visits by appointment and regular outreach with local agencies.

The Traveller's Project

We support the travelling community both settled and on sites in Brent and neighboring boroughs.

We provide advocacy for travellers, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services that they need.

One to one sessions are provided in general advice, health and well-being and home visits can be arranged.

We promote social inclusion and integration and arrange trips to art galleries, museums and the theatre.

Contact Sharon O'Regan for further information on 020 8459 6655

Housing Advice and Support

We work with various agencies and Housing Associations including Innisfree and Cara Irish Housing Association to help house our clients. The service is core funded by DION(The Irish Government). BIAS Housing Advice offer the following services.

• Eviction procedures
• Succession rights- Council tenancies, private tenants
• Private tenants rights
• Housing Benefit Advice/applications
• Advice on specialist housing for gay and lesbian housing, alcohol and drug misuse projects.

Appointments: Fridays 10.00-1.00, Drop-in-Session Wednesdays 10.00-12.30 and Home visits by appointment.

Volunteering

If you are interested in helping in the Irish Community and have an awareness of the issues to Irish people in Britain, you have come to the right place. Brent Irish Advisory Service have a volunteering project. We give people the opportunity to Volunteer for us doing a range of duties. This can vary from Office Administration work, to helping out in our Day Care and Lunch Clubs, to visiting Elderly or Disabled clients in their homes.

BIAS believe our volunteers to be very valuable, and without them, the Volunteering Project wouldn't be the success it is today. Volunteering at BIAS can be emotionally rewarding - not just for the volunteers but for the client also. If you feel you have what it takes, and you'd like to be amongst our team, contact Sabrina our Volunteer Co-ordinator for further details or alternatively complete our on-line application and we will get back to as soon as possible.