Even more help at the HUB!

March 2, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Even more help at the HUB!

Wednesday 2nd March 2016

Need free expert help on money problems, job hunting, social care issues or other matters?

Why not try one of the free help sessions at the HUB in the Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend.

The HUB is a walk-in community advice centre hosting a variety of partner organisations aided by volunteers, especially to assist those facing financial and personal hardship.

It is in a shop unit on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend, SS2 5SP and has just expended its opening hours from Mondays until Fridays from 10am until 4:30pm.

The weekly programme is as follows:

Monday afternoons starting on Monday 14th March:

• Family Action – a charity providing practical, emotional and financial support to those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation
• Digital Housing HUB (DHH) gives people access to computers where they can register to vote, write a CV and search for jobs – with the help of volunteers.
• Domestic Violence Support

Tuesdays:

• DHH
• Jobcentre Plus to give people seeking employment, advice and support on how to return back to work
• Can Do Leonard Cheshire is a community-based scheme to help disabled people develop skills and independence through various projects

Wednesdays:

• Essex Savers net Credit Union is there to advise people on personal finance, money problems, loans and savings
• Healthwatch Southend has an engagement officer based at the HUB to give advice on health and social care services (afternoons only)
• SCOPE is there to give advice and support to parents of children and young people with special educational needs (mornings only)
• DHH
• Family Mosaic Floating Support is using the HUB as an extra base to support residents experiencing a range of problems maintaining their home. The support aims to help and develop people to live independently.

Thursdays:

• Citizens Advice Bureau offers help with benefits and understanding Universal Credit
• South Essex Homes is there to advise and support clients over Tenancy Sustainment, housing applications, and general information
• DHH

Fridays:

• DHH
• 1st Friday of every month Multi Lingual drop in clinic (from 3pm until 5pm)
• Last Friday of every month Apprenticeship and work placement drop in clinic and Go Train Job Club to help residents write or update CVs, search for jobs, and create a Universal Jobmatch account. (from 2pm until 5pm

The Community Interest Company SeeJobClub also runs Fit4 Work courses there regularly to boost the confidence and job-hunting chances of those seeking work.

Deputy Council Leader, Councillor Ian Gilbert said: “It is excellent to see how the HUB is continuing expand and help more and more residents, thanks to the growing range of community support organisations now involved.

“This means residents caught up in difficulties can find free beneficial help and expert advice very quickly when they need it– whether they are social housing tenants, private renters or homeowners.

“When people are trying to cope in a time of crisis they may not know where to turn for help, but the HUB is an ideal place to start.

“It is in very helpfully accessible location on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre, just beyond the top of the escalator leading from outside Southend Victoria Station.”

More details about the HUB can be found at: http://thehubsouthend.net

The running of the HUB is supported by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering options please come into the HUB and speak to David Preston. Alternatively email him on: DavidPreston@seh.southend.gov.uk