The Council has an official Care leavers local offer which is about the support and services we offer to care leavers who are leaving care or have already left care.
If you live in B&NES, as well as the local offer there are other resources you can access to support you.
Our libraries are free and safe spaces for young people to relax in and make use of our resources. You can come alone or meet in small groups. You can also access information and advice services to pay for council permits or access the Homesearch website etc, depending on where you visit.
What Can Libraries Offer?
Libraries can be quiet places, but stereotypes can be wrong – we don’t ask for silence, just consideration for other users. We are friendly and always ready to help if we can. If we can’t help you ourselves, we’ll try and work out who can.
You don’t have to come in to read or borrow books, you just can come into study, charge your phone, access the free Wi-Fi and make use of the space.
We also have a digital library, so you don’t even need to leave the house to use us. If you are a member, we provide free access to eBooks and audiobooks, magazines, comics and helpful online resources which you might have to pay for otherwise.
You can find our libraries in Bath, Midsomer Norton and Keynsham but there are also Community Run Libraries and the Mobile Library.
You don’t have to be a library member to access everything, but you won’t be able to borrow anything or access most online content if you don’t.
What Can You Do In Libraries?
- Access free Wi-Fi
- Use free computers and tablets known as hublets and print/photocopy for a small fee
- Use online reference tools to help you with research and studying
- Access a wide range of books in our young adult and adult sections
- Come to free events including those run by partners like employment and skills drop ins
- Use our free sensory spaces if you need somewhere to relax alone or in a small group
- Access partner services like Read Easy which help adults learn to read
As a library member you can access many services online, 24 hours a day including:
- E-Books, e-Audiobooks, e-Magazines, and e-Newspapers on LibrariesWest free of charge
- Dictionaries, biographies and other reference resources
- Online newspapers and journals including local papers
- Driving Theory Test Pro- an online simulation of the UK’s driving theory tests for all vehicle categories
What Can You Do At Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Services and Information and Advice Services in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton?
- Pay for Council services (such as Council Tax and garden waste subscriptions)
- Apply for Council permits (such as bus passes and Discovery Cards)
- Access the Homesearch website
- Contact council departments and external services
- Access help and advice from partners like Citizens Advice, Julian house, Future bright and Reach.
Looking for volunteering opportunities or work experience?
If you are looking for some work experience to help you get into paid employment, you can find out how to volunteer for us online. You can also contact us if you are interested in mentoring, or having a placement with us.