Three Bath organisations have teamed up to provide a weekly debt management advice service for people living in Twerton and Whiteway.
The two areas of the city were last year listed among the most deprived in the UK – a situation made worse by their location on the outskirts of the city and a distance from charitable support services such as Citizens Advice. 
Bath City Football Club, Wessex Water and Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Citizens Advice have now created a partnership to tackle the issue, including setting up a satellite advice service at Bath City’s Twerton Park ground in an effort to alleviate the financial challenges that some residents are facing.
B&NES Citizens Advice CEO Les Redwood, pictured, said: “The effects of 10 years of austerity on communities and charities like ours are really laid bare by the dire circumstances of some of the residents of Twerton and Whiteway.
“That’s why collaborations such as this one are vital for the future provision of support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our society and it’s great that our partners are helping us to help others.”
A launch event to promote the service to local residents recently took place at the community-owned football club attended by film director and Bath City supporter Ken Loach and comedian Dr Phil Hammond, an ambassador for B&NES Citizens Advice.
Bath City general manager Carole Banwell said: “The inequalities between Twerton and Whiteway and parts of the rest of Bath are alarmingly wide. So Bath City Football Club is really happy to be able to help with this project and hopes it will provide a real lifeline to local residents.
“As a community-owned club, we’re emotionally and financially invested in making Twerton and Whiteway a better place for residents and in the end, that’s good for Bath.”
Wessex Water director of customer policy and engagement Sue Lindsay said: “We strive to offer help for customers who struggle to pay their water bills, but we know that those living in deprived areas without any local support initiatives, like Twerton and Whiteway, can be hard to reach and may be missing out on these vital services.
“We’re delighted to be a part of this satellite advice service and hope to be able to help our financially disadvantaged customers in these areas get back on track.”
The advice service, which will include booked appointments and drop-ins, will be every Thursday, starting on February 13, at Twerton Park, High St, Twerton BA2 1DB.
