WESTBURY’S branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) opened in the Laverton on Wednesday 7th July.
Situated in the former town council offices at the front of the building, the new bureau offers advisors who are able to offer general information and support on a wide range of matters. The new bureau will be open every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm and individuals will be able to drop in and be seen on a first-come basis.
Former mayor, cllr Sue Ezra, and members of the town council have been working closely with the CAB to ensure the service could come to the town. The town council offered the offices to the bureau back in March, and are now providing the rooms free of charge.
Sarah Cardy, manager of Citizens Advice Bureau West Wiltshire said, “It’s fantastic. I think this will be a great facility for the people of Westbury. There’s a need, and it’s good that we’ve found somewhere suitable. The Laverton can provide us with the room we need, it’s a place people are comfortable in, and it allows confidentiality.”
“We see a lot of clients from Westbury, but this means that they haven’t got to travel. We’ve got the phone, but for more complex things we can now tell them that they can come in on a Wednesday.” She added that the proximity to the town centre, the available space, and easy accessibility makes the new facility ideal.
Tony Thatcher, project co-ordinator for the new branch said, “The rooms are perfect. The Laverton is great for it, the way the rooms have been laid out suits it well, and it’s great for client confidentiality. It’s been fairly easy to establish, the hard work was finding the premises.”
Cllr Sue Ezra said, “I’m just very very pleased it’s going to start. There’s a real need, and it’s great that people don’t have to trail to Trowbridge. That’s especially important for families with children.”
The inclusion of the CAB also fits in with the vision of the Laverton as a community resource. “This is a community facility, and it’s being of service,” added cllr Ezra.
Westbury has not had the facility since the Citizens Advice Bureau in the library closed down over 10 years ago. It had been hoped that the police station would house the new branch, but technical difficulties with internet access meant this plan had to be abandoned.
The Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity, staffed by trained volunteers, who offer free, independent, and confidential advice on a whole range of issues such as legal and money matters. People can still make use of the bureau’s telephone service on 0844 375 2775 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Advice is also available online at www. adviceguide.org.uk
Pictured: Tony Thatcher (CAB), Keith Harvey (town clerk), Mayor cllr Christine Mitchell, former mayor cllr Sue Ezra and Sarah Cardy (CAB) open the new branch.
