Charities use council HQ to offer frontline help

Two charities have increased the number of vulnerable people they support by making use of space at a town council's HQ.

Northamptonshire MIND and Citizens Advice (CA) have started holding sessions at Corby Town Council's building in the High Street.

The council said it wanted the building to become a base for community groups to offer frontline help. The official opening of the initiative took place last week.

MIND began using it recently as part of an eight-week pilot and Citizens Advice uses the space to support people online.

The move does not alter the services already provided in Corby by MIND, or the public desk run by CA in the Corby Cube, said a council spokesperson.

Simon Rielly, the Labour leader of the council, said: "Making more use of the space available to the town council gives us an opportunity to bring valuable community support closer to residents.

"As part of this we are delighted to welcome MIND and Citizens Advice to 43 High Street.

"We will monitor the project and use residents' experience to help shape what comes next."

Louise Bilton, from MIND in Corby, said: "We're grateful to the town council for this initiative."

Karen Hayes, from CA North Northants, said she was hopeful the extra space would help it reach more people.

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