A unique advice powerhouse, designed to support businesses and individuals in Cambridge, has been awarded a £1.7 million investment by third sector investment fund, Futurebuilders England.

Masterminded to support the projected population growth of Cambridgeshire, the Advice Hub is the brainchild of Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau. The Hub will use state of the art ICT initiatives to enable people to obtain advice from community action points (mini-hubs) around Cambridgeshire, including remote and virtual services via web and video links. It will also be a one-stop knowledge centre, offering advice on a vast range of issues including Debt; Employment issues; Health and Community Care; Housing; Legal difficulties; Relationships; consumer benefits and tax credits; problems with utilities; immigration and nationality issues and education.

The concept for the advice hub was born out of the escalating number of enquiries dealt with by Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau. Projected growth in the region means that an even more robust advice infrastructure needs to be developed, and with specialist advice partners on site, the Hub will be able to deliver tailor made advice quickly and effectively.

David Livesey (PhD), Chairman for the Citizens Advice Bureau in Cambridge said ‘We strongly believe the Advice Hub is fundamental to supporting the growth of Cambridge and the surrounding area, so were delighted to receive investment from Futurebuilders England. The hub is, as far as we have ascertained in our research, the only one of its kind in the country. It will provide Cambridgeshire businesses and the community with all the necessary advice expertise in one place. More funding is still needed to complete the project, but the financial backing of Futurebuilders England is an excellent start.’

Richard Gutch, Chief Executive at Futurebuilders England said, ‘We’re proud to be supporting CAB with this much-needed venture for Cambridge. In the year 2005-06, Cambridge CAB dealt with approximately 45,000 enquiries from people in the Cambridgeshire area. The hub will enable even more businesses and individuals to benefit from their vital advice system, with the additional benefits of having specialist partners on site.’

More investment is needed and CAB would be delighted to hear from Cambridge businesses or organisations interested in partnering the project. Please contact Rachel Talbot, CEO at Citizens Advice, for more information on 01223 222665.

Citizens Advice Bureau is a major source of information for the working community of Cambridgeshire. Rachel Talbot said, ‘Some people are surprised at how many employed people we support at CAB. Some are experiencing relationship breakdown or bereavement and need financial, emotional and legal advice. The faster we can signpost these individuals to the advice and support they need, the better their performance in the workplace. We will be delighted to provide Advice Hub business partners with a range of tailor made employee support packages, along with a range of other benefits’.

The plans for the advice hub can be viewed at http://www.cambridgecab.org.uk/What's_New/Projects.htm

For further information, images, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Dawn Anderson, Public Relations Representative, on 07866 782403
 

Notes for Editors: 

The Citizens Advice service is an independent charitable organisation that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to anyone regardless of race, sex, disability or nationality. In the year 2005/2006, Cambridge CAB dealt with approximately 45,000 enquiries from people in the Cambridgeshire area.

The Futurebuilders investment of £1,705,750 includes:

• A development grant of £16,800 to support Cambridge CAB’s initial proposals;
• A £1,110, 375 loan for the purchase of a property to house the Advice Hub;
• A £300,000 capital grant to equip and refurbish the new property; and
• An equity loan of £278,575 to meet additional ICT and VAT requirements.

top of page