Kathryn Stacey CEO at Ashfield Citizens Advice stated
‘We are pleased to announce that the mobile information unit that has been in service across Ashfield since 2015 has received funding from the Big Lottery (Reaching Communities) for the next 5 years.
This has been a year long application to Big Lottery and has sought the opinion of many residents across the district as evidence of need for the service. It’s been a massive team effort that has been rewarded with long term secured funding that will help us to expand the project to harder to reach areas and groups of people who haven’t done so in the past
Our thanks go to The Big Lottery but also to the MPs Mark Spencer & Gloria de Piero and the CEO at Ashfield District Council for supporting the need for this service to continue. We also thank all the stakeholders like All Saints Community Centre (Huthwaite), Central Notts Mind, Portland College, Tin Hat Centre (Selston) and Under One Roof (Hucknall) who helped us gather evidence.
We look forward to working with all these stakeholders to bring an improved service to the people of Ashfield’
Some quotes from the evidence surveys:
Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero said: “I am delighted that Ashfield Citizens Advice has secured the lottery funding it needs to continue the invaluable service provided by its mobile information unit.
“I was pleased to support the bid for the cash because I have seen first-hand how vital the unit is for my constituents who live in rural outside of Ashfield’s main towns, such as Jacksdale, Underwood, Selston and others. The unit ensures that residents with mobility and transport issues are not left without support which is so important.”
Sherwood MP Mark Spencer said ‘I am absolutely delighted that Citizens Advice Ashfield have received 5 years of funding to continue with the mobile unit from the Big Lottery. The Unit provides an excellent service to my constituents, is very well used and is an asset to Hucknall. I am delighted that I have been able to show my support for the unit and look forward to it being back on the Market Place.’
Ashfield District Council Chief Executive, Robert Mitchell says “It is brilliant news that CAA have received funding to continue this vital service for the next five years. Being able to get out in the community and making services more accessible to residents means that more people can get the help and support they need. This is really positive news for Ashfield.”
Cllr Tom Hollis, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leisure, Communities and Health said “The service our Citizens Advice offers to Ashfield residents is invaluable. I know that they help some of our most vulnerable residents week in, week out. Most of its work goes unheralded but this lottery award is a recognition of the difference they continue to make.
“This extra funding ensures that CAA will be even more accessible via their mobile unit. It means that even more residents can access the help and support they need. It is great news that the service has received lottery funding for the next five years.”
