Citizens Advice Thanet has partnered up with churches, children’s centres, charities, food banks, libraries and community groups across the isle to bring services to residents.
The outreach project, which has been funded over three years with £300,000 from the National Lottery is aimed at bringing advice to those who need it most.
The project is headed up by advisors Samuel Phillips and Sam Stone and advice covers a range of issues from housing, debt, benefits, family advice and more.
Samuel said: “We both have experience in different areas, mine are rough sleeping and benefits and hers are children’s rights and disability benefits.
“We wanted to bring the comprehensive advice offered at Citizens Advice to safe spaces in the community that are accessible. It is about reaching the community where they already are and those people who need us most.”
Samuel says being able to join up with other organisations and venues means people who are already attending those sites can take advantage of the Citizens Advice Better Lives services.
Venues include The Gap in Broadstairs, Ramsgate Salvation Army and food banks in St Peter’s and Birchington.
He added: “We have just secured four libraries as well in Westgate, Ramsgate, Minster and Cliftonville. We were really keen to have somewhere in Minster.
“The scheme has been running since last September so we are quite a way through our first year. We have a rough goal to see 500 people each year with new cases. We have already seen 637 people so far this first year with a couple of months still to go.
“Better Lives is about us being there and being accessible with outreach and people can get to us, especially those who are older, have disabilities or are carers that might not be able to come to our offices.”
Better Lives advisors (Citizens Advice) outreach community venues
Birchington Baptist Church (Food bank) – Every first and third Thursday – 9:30am until noon
St Peters Baptist Church (food bank) – Every fourth Friday 10am until 1pm
The Gap – Broadstairs (Community cafe & Church) – Every second and fourth Thursday – 9am to 1pm
Ramsgate Salvation Army (Church/Community Centre) – Every second Tuesday – 10am to 12:30pm
Greenbank’s Centre ( Support Centre) – Every 4fourh Wednesday – 9am to 1pm
Happy Mondays ( Ramsgate, Discovery Planet , Art Community Group) – Every first Monday – 2:30pm to 4pm
Ark Cliftonville ( Community Group , Cliftonville Cultural Space) – Every fourth Tuesday – 2pm to 4:30pm
Libraries
Westgate library – Every third Wednesday – 10am to 1pm
Ramsgate Library – Every fourth Wednesday -10am to 1pm
Cliftonville Library – Every second Monday – 10am to 1pm
Minister Library – Every first Tuesday – 10:30am to 1:30pm
Prebooked appointments session
Contact the location manager or reception to book in a hour slot.
Millmead Children’s Centre – Every first Tuesday – two morning sessions available
St Peter’s Baptist Church – Every second Wednesday – two to four morning sessions available.
Website: https://thanetcitizensadvice.org/
