A new, integrated, accessible and expert information and advice service is available to Sutton residents from this week.

ALPS – Advice Link in Partnership with Sutton is being led by Sutton Citizens Advice Bureaux and supported by organisations from the Sutton Together consortium including Age UK Sutton and Sutton Carers Centre, as well as the borough’s Library Service.

ALPS is being funded by Sutton Council and the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund. The council ran a competitive tender for information and advice services. The ALPS bid won the contract, ensuring borough residents have access to expert information and advice services for at least three years.

One ALPS telephone number – 020 8254 2616 – provides access to Sutton Citizens Advice Bureaux, Sutton Carers Centre, Age UK Sutton, and Sutton Library and Heritage Services, which is providing local community information. The 020 8254 2616 telephone number also provides access to other services including the Citizens Advice Consumer Service and out-of-hours connections to the Samaritans and the National Domestic Violence helpline.

Whenever possible, the caller will speak to the right organisation at the first contact and the enquiry will be dealt with at that first point of contact.

Sutton Library staff are providing information from local libraries and when necessary will assist people contacting the ALPS service through its website, www.suttonalps.org.uk.

Cllr Simon Wales, Deputy Leader of Sutton Council and Lead Member for Finance, Assets and the Voluntary Sector, said:

“Sutton Council is delighted to continue its financial support of information and advice services through the ALPS service as it will provide borough residents with the information and advice they need.

“ALPS will be an invaluable service for Sutton residents and we are delighted that it is bringing together local charities in this way.”

Steve Triner, Chief Executive of Sutton Citizens Advice Bureaux, said:

“ALPS is a partnership of local organisations with real expertise in issues such as welfare benefits, debt and housing. The new service aims to give local people the right information and advice, from the right organisation at the right time.”

Rachael MacLeod, Chief Executive at Sutton Carers Centre, added:

“Family members and friends caring for someone with an illness or disability need the right information and advice to care well, and to keep themselves well. Our teams will add health and social care expertise to the ALPS partnership, to benefit community members of all ages.

“We are really excited by this new way of working as we think it will mean an improved quality of life for many residents.”

The ALPS information and advice service is free, confidential, independent and impartial. Sutton Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age UK Sutton and Sutton Carers Centre are all registered charities that provide volunteering opportunities for local people.