The 'Open Door' service is available at Coventry CAB on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is provided for anyone from the Coventry area to come in and obtain advice. However, as with any popular service demand is high, which inevitibly results in provision of the service becoming limited.

As we are largely reliant upon volunteers to help provide the Open Door service we are only able to offer it twice weekly, on Mondays and Wednesdays. As mentioned, because the service is in such demand we need to put certain procedures in place in order to help keep the service running as smoothly as possible and for as long as possible.

During busy periods we have, occasionally, had to close the door on the service early to enable us to deal with the large volume of people who have attended the service. We apologise for when we have done so in the past, or will do so in the future. This is a rare occurence and we would ask that future visitors adhere to the following procedures to assist us with running the service:

1. If you are intending to attend the Bureau for advice on Mondays or Wednesdays, we ask that you get here in advance of 10.00am or as near to as possible.

2. When you are attending the Bureau for advice, we would ask that you bring any relevant documentation or information you can to assist us with advising you.

3. On arrival, you will be given a brief initial assessment by our reception staff to determine your advice needs. If we are able to provide you with advice you will be given a ticket number for our queuing system to receive a diagnostic interview.

4. Your area of advice may not be something we are able to advise on or there may be a more specialist provider available to you within the City. If this is the case, we will provide you with details of the alternative service.

5. If you are in the queuing system to have a diagnostic interview from Coventry CAB, we ask that you be patient. We deal with a large number of clients on a daily basis and strive to provide advice as quickly as possible. However, the need to be thorough and to provide accurate advice is paramount, which may result in longer waiting times.

6. When we are providing you with advice, please be aware that we may need to ask personal questions such as financial details, family history, accommodation arrangements, immigration status, etc. Any questions we ask are in the strictest confidence and will only ever be asked in order to assist you further.

7. After providing you with advice, we will either:

• Conclude your issue(s) during the diagnostic interview;

• Take you on as a client and assist you with your ongoing issue(s);

• Refer you to another organisation better suited to your advice needs.

8. After visiting the Bureau many clients wish to telephone us for further advice. Unless you have been taken on as a client and have a dedicated caseworker, we don't, at present, provide telephone advice. If you are in need of further advice please re-visit the Bureau on one of the Open Door service days.

9. If you are unable to re-attend the Bureau for advice, please search through this website to see if any of our advice guides or fact sheets can assist you. Alternatively there are links to various advice providers in the Leaflets, Guides & Links page.

BACK TO OPENING TIMES & SERVICES