West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) has teamed up with Age Concern, Middlesbrough Council and The Shaw Trust to bring the sessions to the WMNT Resource Centre in Meath Street, Newport every Wednesday morning.
A Welfare Rights Officer is providing benefits advice to local people, Age Concern is giving help and advice to older people and the Shaw Trust is supporting people back in to work and training through information and advice.
Linda Broadhead OBE, Chair of WMNT said: “There is so much literature around these days on benefits, training, employment and a lot more, so finding the right information can be a daunting task for many people. That’s why these sessions are well worth a visit – you’ll get to speak to someone in person about your own individual circumstances, getting one-to-one support. “
The Welfare Rights Officer is at the centre every Wednesday from 9am to 12noon, The Shaw Trust provide a drop-in from 10am to 12noon and Age Concern staff will be available on the second Wednesday of every month by appointment.
Centre Manager Harry Clouth said: “I would urge people to pay the centre a visit on a Wednesday morning for information and advice, as you don’t know what you might be missing out on. For instance, the Welfare Rights Officer – who was initially funded by WMNT – helped generate an extra £215,000 of benefits for local residents just in his first year working in the area.”
Local residents are welcome to attend the one stop shop on a Wednesday at the WMNT Resource Centre, Meath Street, Newport. For those who can’t get out and about, home visits are available for some of the services. Call the centre on (01642) 255001 for more details.
Ends.
Ends. Press Notice WMNT/212. 31/05/07.
Issued by Helen Mellor, Marketing and Communications Coordinator on (01642) 757870.