Generalist voluntary advice is provided across Northern Ireland through a partnership between the Department for Communities and Councils. The aim of the general advice service is to provide independent benefit advice to the residents of Mid Ulster to maximise income to individuals, families, households. The advice is free at the point of delivery. Good quality advice and information is seen as a means of empowering individuals to make informed decisions and seeking to improve all aspects of someone’s life. The need for advice support tends to be people who are experiencing hardship or deprivation or who have a lack of access to resources. The generalist voluntary advice sector can act as an advocate on behalf of the individual in an independent manner. The importance of generalist voluntary advice provision means that it is a high priority for central government and local Council.