A Domestic Violence Awareness Day event was run at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon on the 17th of July to raise awareness of the support available for the many victims of this crime.

If you need advice or help contact Womans Aid: Freephone 24 hour National domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or you can visit their website

We also have the October edition of their newsletter available for download:  Domestic Violence News - Oct 08 (PDF) (418.4 kB)

Shocking statistics....

Housing Benefit rules are changing so that maintenance paid for children will no longer be counted as income from 27 October 2008. This exciting news means that many more people will be able to claim Housing Benefit – even if their income was too high in the past.

Also because of these changes, if you are already receiving Housing Benefit and have child maintenance, you may find that your benefit automatically increases. These changes apply to Council Tax Benefit too.

We’ve all seen the adverts on the television, in the press and even with people knocking on the door, but is now the right time to switch energy suppliers?