Princess Anne visits New Milton Citizen's Advice and Mencap

The information and advice hub in Old Milton Road has been opened in response to a growing need amongst the community for a space that offers residents help and support. 

Princess Anne visited the New Milton hub at 11.30am on Wednesday March 30, where she met Citizens Advice staff who offer a range of support to residents.

She also visited The Nedderman Centre in New Milton for a reception and to meet Mencap users, more Citizens Advice staff and Fare Share food bank volunteers and clients.

Daniella Belk presented Princess Royal with a posy of flowers before her departure.

Mencap’s digital champion and service user Daniella Belk presented Princess Royal with a posy of flowers before her departure. 

Stacey Kirby, office administrator who helped organise The Princess Royal’s visit, said: “She spoke to everybody on an individual basis and it felt really personal when speaking to her. 

“She was just so engaged and interested in what we were doing, you could tell she had a lot of respect and passion and was really interested in what we were telling her.

“She was absolutely lovely and asked me about my role in Mencap and she made us feel like it was a really worthy thing that we were doing.

“It was an amazing experience and a really lovely day.” 

The Mencap and Citizens Advice hub has been open for a short while already and offers immediate help and support to residents who are able to walk-in without an appointment.

Stacey said: “There was a gap in New Milton for that more face-to-face advice and help.

“What it really highlights is that there was a need in the area and we’ve opened that information and advice hub for people to feel really welcome and they can just come in.”

Stacey Kirby (left) with staff and service users of Citizen's Advice and New Milton Mencap

People are able to walk in and be greeted by a joint receptionist for Citizens Advice and Mencap who will find out exactly what their needs are. Advisors are on-hand to help and support people with their needs and there’s a back area for more confidential advice. 

“New Milton is a lovely community but there are a lot of people that need a bit of support and especially after Covid and everything,” said Stacey.

“I think it’s given the town a bit of a lift that it needs. 

“It was a brilliant day and we all thoroughly enjoyed it so it was great.”