South Lakes Citizens Advice has moved to new Kendal town centre premises.
Operating across South Lakeland, accessibility and space were concerns at the independent charity’s previous base, in Kendal bus station.
The charity has now moved into prominent offices in Wainwright’s Yard.
Citizens Advice is a network of local, not-for-profit charities funded entirely by grants and donations.
It offers a free, confidential and comprehensive advice service about topics including debt, welfare benefits, employment, housing, relationships and much more.
“We are living in tough times and demand for our help is at an all-time high,” said Karen Evans, chief officer at South Lakes Citizens Advice.
“Safe, accessible and welcoming premises are vital for people to find and feel confident visiting us at a time where they can feel very vulnerable.”
The new hub includes a staffed reception for enquiries and booking confidential appointments, plus twice-weekly open drop-in sessions. It will also support their work across the South Lakes, including their Ulverston office and outreach sessions at the Windermere foodbank in partnership with the Trussell Trust.
The charity said it had already seen enquiries increase in the two weeks since it opened.
Karen added: “We’re funded by an annual grant from Westmorland and Furness Council, with project funding from Money Advice and Pension Service to deliver money advice and Macmillan Cancer Support to provide welfare benefits advice to those living with cancer, as well as grants from local town councils.
“We also receive generous donations from businesses like Lakeland, and local people, who also give their time. As well as permanent staff, we currently rely on around 30 volunteers, from admin to advisers, who provide a valuable service and we always welcome more!
“We offer a flexible, person centred and needs based service to local people – our role is to empower local people to manage their problems that promotes independence and personal resilience. By working with the individual, we achieve positive outcomes for them and any financial gain, such as welfare benefits awards, is money which in turn is spent in the local community.”
South Lakes Citizens Advice is at 1 Wainwright’s Yard, Kendal, LA9 4DP. For general enquiries, volunteering and donations, telephone and face to face appointments, walk in, ring 0808 2787984, or visit www.southlakescab.org.uk. Open drop-in sessions are held Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 2pm.
