Somerset: Flood Assistance Centre To Open

21 February 2014, 17:21 | Updated: 21 February 2014, 17:23

A Flood Assistance Centre offering flood-affected communities with advice, support and information will open at Bridgwater YMCA on Saturday at 10am.

Somerset County Council, along with partners Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council will provide affected residents with a warm and safe environment to seek advice on the many issues associated with flooding. 

Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr John Osman, said: ''This Flood Assistance Centre will provide our flood-affected residents with a central point from which they can access information and assistance on a number of subjects including emotional health, housing, benefits, animal welfare and more. 

''The centre will be operating as long as it is needed and we will continue to support our flood-hit communities for as long as it is required. We will involve other agencies and link with the excellent work being carried out by volunteers and our officers at Burrowbridge School and Junction 24.'' 

The centre will be open on Saturdays 10am to 4pm and Tuesday and Thursdays from 2pm to 8pm and will provide advice and support on topics including: 

Information on financial support such and grants 

Access to information on insurance 

Local authority services such as housing, social care 

Benefits advice Support and advice on dealing with the emotional 

impact of flooding Information on flood-related animal welfare Transport. 

Refreshments will be available for visitors and a crèche will be open for children to play while parents seek advice and support. For more information please contact Somerset Direct on Tel: 0845 345 9166.