Lewisham Council Unveils New Advisory Service: Discover How It Works and the Support Available to You

Lewisham Council is progressing towards the establishment of a comprehensive borough-wide advisory service designed to assist residents grappling with various challenges, including housing instability and financial difficulties. The council has set its sights on launching this enhanced service, akin to Citizens Advice, in April 2027. This initiative aims to support residents who are encountering difficulties navigating the benefits system, while also providing guidance on immigration matters and other issues linked to the rising cost of living.

Community Access and Support

The new service will be operated by an external provider or a consortium of providers, with funding sourced from the council. Residents will have the ability to access the service not only via telephone but also at physical locations such as libraries, community centres, and food banks. During a recent council meeting on 1st July, Mayor Liam Shrivastava and his Cabinet members endorsed a report detailing the proposed plans and funding arrangements.

Currently, the borough’s existing advisory services are financed through the council’s Main Grants programme. However, in 2025, the previous Labour administration resolved to commission these services separately. Councillor Hau-Yu Tam, the Cabinet Member for Communities, Sanctuary, and Healing, highlighted the increasing demand for these services as a consequence of the cost of living crisis and the impact of austerity measures on households in Lewisham.

Enhancing Existing Services

Cllr Tam remarked on the council’s intention to build upon existing successful elements while fortifying the service for future needs. Key features of the new initiative will include the retention of a high-volume telephone advice line, improved digital access, expanded targeted outreach, and a heightened focus on early intervention and prevention strategies. The plan also entails closer integration with the council’s broader support offerings, including referral pathways associated with the Crisis Resilience Fund and Lightning Reach, a one-stop shop for processing referrals.

The council aims to enhance community outreach efforts to assist “anyone who might encounter barriers in accessing support,” while also providing aid to smaller community organisations to help avert crises. Following the procurement process, the council intends to select a successful provider, which may be a single entity or a partnership with a lead organisation.

Future Expectations and Funding

Cllr Tam elaborated that council officers have already conducted engagement and planning activities, which encompass consultations with advice providers, service analysis, and oversight through the Cost of Living Board. The current information service is operated by a coalition of local voluntary groups, funded by Lewisham Council, with a team of qualified staff and certified volunteers managing a freephone advice line at 0800 2315453 to assist residents.

While the precise details of the new service are still being finalised, it is anticipated that it will function similarly to the current service, albeit with more avenues for assistance, including in-person help via libraries and food banks. At present, face-to-face consultations are only available by appointment.

Investment in Community Welfare

The proposed contract for the new service has a maximum annual value of £950,000, which comprises an existing budget of £600,000 along with an additional £350,000 allocated through the Cost of Living Programme Board. The contract is set to commence for an initial two-year term from April next year, with an option to extend for an additional three years, contingent on performance metrics and future funding availability.

Mayor Shrivastava expressed his support for the commissioning model, emphasising the importance of utilising resources such as the Crisis Resilience Fund to assist residents facing hardship. He noted that a significant aspect of this initiative involves not only providing advice but also ensuring residents maximise their income and receive all the benefits to which they are entitled, underscoring the necessity of a robust service.

As the discussions concluded, Mayor Shrivastava and Cabinet Members unanimously agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report, signalling a positive step towards the realisation of the expanded advisory service in the coming year.

Stay informed about the most significant local developments by signing up for the MySouthLondon newsletter for daily news updates and more.