17/4/2008

Community Matters

Ensuring support for families

Margaret Gower and welfare rights adviser Azhar Hussain want to provide outreach services

THE Citizens Advice Bureau is best-known for giving free, confidential information on subjects including benefits, immigration, housing and employment.

But the branch in Commercial Way, Woking, is hoping to expand and provide outreach services in children’s centres around the town.

A pilot for the new venture will take place at the children’s centre in Blackmore Crescent, Sheerwater, one of the most deprived areas in the county.

The idea behind the programme is to provide parents who take their children to the centre with information that is already available at the branch in Commercial Way.

Margaret Gower, who works for Woking CAB, said: “This is one more support to help young families gain a better chance in life.

“Sheerwater is acknowledged to be deprived but has a strong community spirit. This centre will be a springboard for opportunities and with the new CAB services, it will give young parents the support to make for a better future.”

The bureau is asking for £968.94 to purchase equipment such as laptops, mobile phones and broadband to set up the outreach office.

It hopes that if the Sheerwater centre is successful, the scheme can be extended across Woking.

Woking CAB was established in 1939 and has a staff of 12 and more than 100 volunteers, five days a week.

First printed in: Woking News and Mail