AN OUTREACH service that visits rural communities in the area is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

West Devon Borough Council's Connect service started in 2007, taking the council's work out into rural communities with other public services, charities and not-for-profit groups.

Connect holds monthly advice sessions where every resident is welcome to drop in, ask questions and pick up advice on everything from housing benefit to transport issues to hearing loss. The service rotates the advisers available from more than 30 organisations and an officer from West Devon Borough Council is always present to answer questions.

In January, representatives from CALL24 will join Connect sessions for the first time. They will talk about personal safety alarm systems, which are backed up by 24-hour monitoring for vulnerable adults.

January also marks the first time the Connect service will be visiting Chagford Library. The service has been bringing advisors from the borough council and partner organisations to Whiddon's Eatery each month for two years.

Connect will now visit Chagford Library on the second and fourth Friday of each month.

Connect will be visiting the following venues in January 2012.

January 6, The Burrow Café, Exbourne. 10am–noon with advisors from CALL24 and the Community Voluntary Service

January 13 Chagford Library. 10.30am to 12.30pm, with advisors from CALL24 and Okehampton Children's Centre

January 17, Hatherleigh Market. 9.30am to noon with advisors from the Citizens Advice Bureau, CALL24, Devon Wheels 2 Work and Oakhouse Foods

January 17, Spreyton Village Hall. 2.30pm to 3.30pm with advisors from CALL24, Oakhouse Foods and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust

January 27, Chagford Library. 10.30am to 12.30pm with advisors from CALL24 and Action on Hearing Loss.