TRAFFORD residents are being offered a new way to access information and advice services, thanks to a project that’s being launched by the Trafford Advice Partnership (TAP).

The Trafford Advice Partnership is funded by the BIG Lottery Fund and brings together some of the borough’s key information and advice providers such as Citizens Advice Trafford, Age UK Trafford, Trafford Carers Centre, Trafford Centre for Independent Living and local support and development agency, Voluntary & Community Action Trafford.

The group’s aims are to make accessing information and advice services easier and more readily available to Trafford residents.

To achieve these aims the Partnership is launched a new webcam advice centre at Old Trafford Library on April 11.

Dale Maskell, chief officer of Citizens Advice Trafford and lead partner of TAP said: “ People who may struggle to get around the borough can now walk into their local library and touchscreen dial up one of our TAP partners and get advice and information over a webcam.”

The TAP partners will be able to provide information and advice on debt, benefits, employment, support networks and legal issues. Traditionally, Trafford residents were able to access these services face-to-face or over the telephone.

The webcam centre will mean that there is another, more easily accessible way to get advice.

Trafford residents will be able to receive and share documents remotely as the room is fully stocked with two computer screens, a scanner and a remote signature pad.

Dale Maskell adds, “The idea is that once the webcam centre is up and running in Old Trafford Library, we will shortly be opening the next centre at Urmston Library.

“The Library Service and its managers have been a great support in getting this all off the ground.”