New home for CAB (From Northwich Guardian)

New home for CAB in Northwich

10:30am Sunday 19th August 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

A VITAL Northwich service is appealing for more volunteers to help make its new home even more welcoming.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) has moved from its cramped Chesterway office to more spacious surroundings in Meadow Street.

Staff and volunteers are now based in what was The Hub @ Connexions in a change of scene that is already making a difference after just two months.

Liz Dickinson, partnership development worker for CAB, said: “The move has made a massive difference.

“It’s had a really positive effect on our volunteers and our paid staff because now they have the space to be able to sit down and work properly.

“It’s had a huge impact on them being able to greet clients and be proud of the building they are in.

“It’s also had a massive impact on our clients, both because of where we’re situated now but also because of the impression they get on walking in – the building better reflects our professionalism.”

The town centre office has a reception area and waiting room and has enabled the service to double the number of available interview rooms from three to six.

It also houses an employment rights unit for Cheshire, specialist debt workers and welfare benefits advisors for Northwich, general advisors for Northwich and a telephone contact centre providing Adviceline for west Cheshire.

The contact centre was formerly based at Winsford CAB but has moved to Northwich to take advantage of the extra space.

CAB is also keen to work with other voluntary organisations and is already housing West Cheshire Local Involvement Network (LINk) and Chester Volunteer Centre under its roof.

The service is appealing for more volunteers to man its Adviceline phones.

Volunteers receive full training and a supervisor is always on hand to help.

CAB is also appealing for volunteers to man the reception desk and welcome clients to the new office.

Anyone who wants to volunteer should ring 01606 338941.

Contacting Cheshire West CAB:

• Adviceline 08444 111444, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

• Drop-in services at Northwich CAB, in Meadow Street, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

• Website cwcab.org.uk

 

Volunteer Centre

Volunteer Centre Chester has opened a service for residents and voluntary and community organisations in Northwich.

It is based in the CAB office, in Meadow Street, and offers support for people wishing to volunteer in the area.

The service is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm.

For more information ring 01606 815271 or email volunteeringnorthwich@chesterva.org.uk.