Citizens Advice Solihull Borough (CASB) has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide community information and advice services across Solihull.

Following a competitive tender process, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) selected CASB as its chosen provider for the new service, which will begin on October 1, 2026.

The current provider will continue delivering the existing service until the transition date.

The new service will offer free, independent advice and practical support to residents on issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, the cost of living, mental health, disability, adult social care, health and immigration.

Support will be available across all 17 wards of Solihull, with advice sessions held in trusted community locations including libraries, GP surgeries, community centres, colleges and faith venues.

CASB will work alongside a number of partner organisations to deliver the service.

Shelter will provide specialist housing advice and homelessness prevention support, while Gateway Family Services will deliver health and wellbeing support.

The Colebridge Trust will help strengthen community engagement and access to local venues, while Entraide will support migrants, refugees and newly arrived communities with immigration information and guidance.

The service will be delivered under SMBC's Here2Help brand, with further details about how residents can access support expected to be announced ahead of its launch.

CASB chief executive Kerry Turner MBE said the organisation was "delighted" to have been awarded the contract and would continue providing "high-quality, community-based information and advice".

She added that the partnership approach would help bring support "closer to where people live" and make it easier for residents to access advice.

Cllr Tony Dicicco, SMBC's cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said the new model would focus on face-to-face support alongside phone services.

He said delivering advice "in the heart of our communities" would make the service "easier and more convenient", allowing more people to access support.