A Dunfermline advice hub providing free, impartial and confidential advice and support has been praised by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley as a model of ‘best practice’ providing much needed access to services.
Based at 7 Douglas Street in the town centre, the Hub is a partnership of local groups including Citizens Advice, Fife Furniture First, Frontline Fife housing services, Christians Against Poverty, the Food Bank, Fife Children’s Clothes Bank accessing a range of both voluntary and statutory services that people may need to be in contact with. The Hub also sells goods and provides support with children’s clothing.
The Hub highlights that ‘we all need a helping hand sometimes, and with so many organisations out there, it’s hard to know where to turn. We’re here to bridge the gap between you, and the support you need. They work with local organisations to run regular “clinics”, making support more available to you, in a place that’s accessible and convenient’.
Mr Rowley met with staff and discussed the kind of work and support they are offering and said “The Hub offers access to information, support and advice on a range of issues from pensions, housing, welfare to accessing services and anyone who is unsure about a services or if they can access support should feel free to pop in at Douglas Street. I was really impressed by the range of services and advice available and the very warm welcome available to all.
The Scottish Labour deputy leader was also full of praise for the way that so many organisations in the Dunfermline area are working together. He said; “In Dunfermline we have all these local groups working together to make sure that members of the public can get access to all the support and advice that they need. I commend the local area Chair Helen Law and all the councillors for making funds available to local groups to support this joined up approach through the voluntary sector in Dunfermline”.
Mr Rowley said this approach was one he hoped other areas within Fife would pick up so that the kind of service being offered by the Hub in Douglas Street can be made available elsewhere.
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Photo shows Alex Rowley with some of the staff supporting the Hub
More information on the Hub http://dunfermlineadvicehub.org.uk/
