Citizens Advice Wirral improves accessibility with new Self-Help Advice Terminals

As part of the ongoing effort to enhance the Ask Us Wirral Service, these terminals are designed to support those who may not have access to the internet, a phone, or a computer.

Starting Monday, 16th September, Citizens Advice Wirral has partnered with local NHS Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) to make a new terminal available at The Stein Centre at St Catherine’s Health Centre, Tranmere. This follows the successful installation of terminals at the St James Centre, Laird Street, and Wirral Ways, Market Wells, Price Street in Birkenhead.

The Self-Help Advice Terminals offer four easy-to-use options:

1. Access self-help resources – Find information on various topics without needing to speak to an adviser.
2. Email for advice – Send queries and receive email responses.
3. Call for advice – Directly connect with Citizens Advice Wirral for personalised assistance.
4. Request a call back – Ask to be contacted for advice.

All terminals are Chromebooks, which automatically reset after each use to ensure privacy. In case of difficulty, an onsite user guide and staff at the venues are available to assist.

Expanding our reach
This initiative, commissioned by Wirral Council through the Ask Us Wirral Project, aims to:

• Increase access to advice and support services.
• Reach more communities throughout the Wirral.
• Promote the broad range of support on offer through Citizens Advice Wirral and the Ask Us Wirral Service.

Cllr Julie McManus, chair of the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee for Wirral Council, said: “We are well aware that there are some people in our communities who have limited or sometimes no access to the internet, which can make contacting vital support services in our increasingly digital world more difficult – often for the people who need it most.

“We are continuously working to improve the accessibility and user-friendliness of our services. By installing these terminals, we’re responding to client feedback and ensuring that everyone can get the help they need, even if they don’t have access to a phone or computer”, said Carol Johnson-Eyre – CEO of Citizens Advice Wirral.

Nicola Connor – Participation and Engagement Lead at CWP, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Citizens Advice Wirral to offer this valuable service to our patients. The Self-Help Advice Terminal will provide our patients with easy and direct access to crucial advice and support, right here in the Centre. This initiative will help break down barriers to accessing services, ensuring everyone gets the help they need when they need it.”

“These terminals will enable residents to access self-help resources and link up with organisations to get the support they need in their local communities.”

Two additional terminals will be installed by March 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to reach more communities across the region.

For more information on the Self-Help Advice Terminals or other services provided by Citizens Advice Wirral, please visit – https://citizensadvicewirral.org.uk/ .