Report: Tess Reddington

South West Lancashire ICAN is now providing free advice surgeries in the Northern Parishes, offering support on a range of topics including PIP/DLA, AA, ESA, Housing Benefit and Employment Law.

It can also provide clients with help completing DLA/PIP, AA and ESA forms and Tribunal Appeals.

James McDermott, Senior Adviser at South West Lancashire ICAN told QLocal: “Thanks to funding from West Lancashire Borough Council, the local Clinical Commissioning Group and the Eric Wright Foundation we can provide this service 2 days a week for 12 weeks from Monday 18th February, and hopefully the work we do throughout this period will provide us with the evidence we need to have a permanent presence in the Northern Parishes.

"Through providing Welfare Rights advice for over 20 years we know that welfare, disability and financial difficulties are relative and this type of service is needed in these areas just as much as the larger towns in West Lancashire.

"Indeed in the first few weeks operating this service we have had client appointments at each of the locations which is a really positive response”.

Outreach services are provided at Hesketh Bank Christian Centre, Moss Lane, Hesketh Bank on a Monday 1.00pm to 3.30pm and Burscough Methodist Church, Orrel Lane, Burscough on a Wednesday 1.00pm to 3.30pm.

Please call in to these locations at the times stated or for further information ring 01695 726269, email us swlican2014@gmail.com or check out our website swlican.org