A NEW drop-in service has started in York, to help current and former servicemen and women and their families.

The British Legion is starting the sessions, which will run on the first Wednesday of every month at the city council’s West Offices HQ on Station Rise.

The Legion’s Case Officer Steve Gaughan will be there to give people advice and support on everything from debt management to how to apply for social housing.

He said: “My welfare sessions in York are part of the Legion’s mission to bring our services closer to those who need it most.

“I’ll be available for face-to-face meetings to discuss any issues, so please do take the opportunity to call in if you need advice on housing support, welfare, managing personal finances plus much more.”

Mr Gaughan will also be able to help people find their way to other welfare services, and can discuss membership with anyone who wants to join the Legion.

Since December 2013, the Legion has opened 15 pop-in centres in major cities and towns across the UK as part of the charity’s biggest transformation in its 94 year history. One more will open later this year.

The transformation began after research conducted in 2005 and 2010 showed that service personnel and veterans found it difficult to get the help they needed, either because they did not know who to go to or what services were on offer, or because this information was hard to access.

Debbie Harding, the Legion’s area manager for Yorkshire, said: “After recent changes at the Legion, beneficiaries can now pick up the phone to a trained adviser via our national freephone number, or look online for information.”