Solihull residents get a new way to access free advice

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-05 09:55 2 min read

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Solihull residents should note a major change in how local advice support will be reached. On 5 August 2026, Solihull Council awarded Citizens Advice Solihull (CASB) a multi-year contract to run community information and advice services from 1 October 2026, while the current provider continues to operate until that date.

What changes from October

The contract is a planned transfer, not an immediate shutdown. From 1 October 2026, the borough-wide service moves to CASB under Solihull Council’s Here2Help brand. Kerry Turner MBE said CASB is bringing together specialist partners to keep advice practical, local and easier to access.

Advice topics residents can expect

The notice lists a broad support range: welfare benefits, debt, housing, cost of living, mental health, disability, adult social care, health and immigration. All of this is stated as free and independent support, with the goal of helping people at the point of need rather than after long delays.

Solihull residents get a new way to access free advice

Who is most affected

The service is targeted at Solihull residents across the borough, especially people dealing with benefit questions, money stress, housing insecurity, health barriers, or migration-related paperwork. Because the delivery is borough-wide, the announcement is aimed at routine household needs as much as crisis support. It is not limited to one category of residents.

Delivery model and partners

CASB is leading the service with established local partners: Shelter for housing and homelessness prevention, Gateway Family Services for health and wellbeing work, The Colebridge Trust for community access, and Entraide for migrants and newly arrived communities. The model combines regular advice sessions with targeted outreach when demand appears. Councillor Tony Dicicco said the service is designed around face-to-face support in local communities, with phone support available to meet individual needs.

How and where support will be reached

Residents can expect access points to be distributed across all 17 wards, in places people already use: libraries, GP surgeries, community centres, colleges and faith venues, with other trusted settings as needed. This is positioned as a mixed model so advice is available close to where people live and already visit.

What to do now

Keep using existing support routes until 1 October 2026. The current notice confirms the new contract and the provider transition, but not yet a full list of launch sessions, booking process or exact local contacts. The next confirmed step for residents is the official Here2Help launch with detailed access points.

Source: Solihull Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

Checked the Solihull Council notice for scope, date, provider, service topics and partner roles before producing this local guidance piece.

Checks

Verified publication date (5 August 2026) and new start date (1 October 2026).
Verified that the contract is for free, independent community information and advice acros...
Verified listed advice areas, all-17-ward coverage and the Here2Help brand mention.
Verified partner roles for Shelter, Gateway Family Services, The Colebridge Trust and Entr...

Solihull Council Independent context check