A LIBRARY and Citizens Advice service in the New Forest have come together under the same roof.
The new Citizens Advice office at Ringwood Library forms part of a £17,000 refurbishment project by Hampshire Library Service, which has enabled Citizens Advice and library staff to share a new customer helpdesk.
Glynne Miles, vice chairman for Citizens Advice New Forest, said: “It can take a lot of courage for clients to make the first step to seek out our services, and we hope that by offering them such a comfortable, pleasant environment, we can encourage them to talk to us before they reach crisis point.”
Councillor Seán Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, said: “We extend a warm welcome to Citizens Advice New Forest as this exciting collaboration begins. Working in this way enables the library to offer a range of highly valued community services for free, all under one roof – books, learning, IT, activities, and now advice on important issues such as wellbeing and debt.”
Funding for the project came from New Forest District Council with donations made by Russell Trust Ringwood & District Older Peoples Welfare Association, The Rotary Club of Ringwood, Ringwood Town Council, local parish councils, Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society and Ringwood Waitrose.
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