PEOPLE living in East Finchley can now benefit from an advice service aiming to help solve community issues.

Grange Big Local, is a resident led programme, which aims to make a difference and improve neighbourhoods across north London.

Their new advice service will run every Friday morning at St Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Centre in High Road, East Finchley.

Pat Murphy, chairman of the Grange Big local partnership said: “We chose to invest in this project because we know how much people valued the old East Finchley Advice Service.

“We want to help people who need good advice on issues like debt, benefits, housing and consumer rights get it more easily.

"We want to put more money into the pockets of local people and we want to help lift the burden of stress that these problems may cause.”

In April this year, neighbours were excited as the Grange Estate in East Finchley, was given almost £300,000 of lottery money to make a difference in their community.

It was also part of a £1m grant awarded to the group in 2014 to help revitalise the area.

The partnership will launch their first ever community festival this September, at the Bishop Douglass School in East Finchley. Their aim is to bring people of all ages together for one day a year.

The service is available by appointment only, by calling 0300 456 8365.

For more information on volunteering roles at Citizens Advice Barnet, visit www.barnetcab.org.uk/volunteering.

Or for more information on Grange Big Local, you can visit www.grangebiglocal.org.