Advice hub at the Civic Centre is revamped
Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund and St Albans City and District Council, the Information and Advice Hub in St Albans has been transformed. Local residents can find information, advice and guidance, on everything from housing through debt relief to volunteering, from the Hub in St Albans’ Civic Centre.
St Albans Mayor hosted the launch of the updated Information and Advice Hub on Tuesday 15 September.
Representatives of organisations offering advice from the Hub joined Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, for the networking event.
The large, light room on the ground floor of the Civic Centre has been redesigned to make it more welcoming for visitors to the Council’s partner organisations. It now has an uncluttered space with comfortable chairs, new flooring, two self-service PCs for residents’ use, display boards and a wall-mounted flat screen for showing advice. Visitors can also make use of a touch screen service that gives access to lots of additional information, help and advice.
Organisations that offer advice and information to residents from the Hub include the Citizens Advice St Albans District, the CVS and Volunteer Centre and Oaklands College. Also offering advice are the Credit Union, Community Navigator, St Albans Women’s Outreach Service, Hertfordshire Asian Women’s Association, North Herts Homes and Aldwyck Housing Association.
Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “The Information and Advice Hub has been transformed and many thanks are due to staff from Citizens Advice and the Council for their work on the project. The updated layout provides opportunities for new partners to work in the Hub as well as flexible desks to deliver Council services.”
June Chapman, Citizens Advice St Albans Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that the Hub is now easier for local people to use. I am very grateful to St Albans Council and the Big Lottery Fund for their support in making this happen. I also want to thank all the Partners and Council officers for all they have done to make this possible. I encourage residents who are looking for advice and information to come to the Hub in the Civic Centre.”
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Salih Gaygusuz
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Ruth Boyer, Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819316
E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
More information about the Information and Advice Hub, including the different opening hours of the organisations there, can be found on the website.
Pictures:
TOP: St Albans Mayor, Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, with Richard Solomon, Trustee of Citizens Advice St Albans
ABOVE: The Advice and Information Hub at St Albans Civic Centre