Citizens Advice Rural Cambs open the doors to its new office in Wisbech

Citizen’s Advice Rural Cambs (CARC) moved its Wisbech office to a new home in the town this week.

The charity welcomed Fenland Councillor Sam Clark to cut the ribbon at the opening of its new office at the Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, having re-located from premises in Church Mews.

CARC is an independent charity supporting residents across Fenland, and Huntingdonshire, providing free independent, confidential, and impartial advice.

Over the last 12 months they have helped over 9,200 local residents with approximately 42,000 issues, including debt, benefits, housing, homelessness, pensions and employment, highlighting the complexity and multitude of problems people are faced with today. With the end of both the furlough scheme and the Universal Credit £20 uplift, the charity envisages that there will be an even greater demand on their services.

Nick Blencowe, chief officer at CARC, said: “It was great to have Cllr Sam Clark here to open our new office.We would like to thank Fenland District Council for their continued financial support and close partnership working, which has enabled us jointly to continue to support the residents of Fenland.

“The Ferry Project, which manages the Centre, has also been very supportive, helping us to set up our advice service and making us feel very welcome there. We look forward to working more closely with them for the benefit of local residents.”

Cllr Sam Clark, Fenland's Cabinet member responsible for vulnerable people support, said: “The Council is delighted to support the opening of CARC’s new office in Wisbech. It is fantastic that local people have access to this valued service, particularly given Covid times, and even better that it is easily accessible and right next to our free Somers Road car park.”

Nicola Knowles, manager of the Queen Mary Centre (QMC), added: “The QMC and The Ferry Project are thrilled to welcome Citizen Advice Rural Cambs to our community hub. This is a vital and valued service for our town and local area, and it’s great to be working in partnership with them. Our building, once at risk of closure, has bounced back well from the pandemic and is now thriving again.”

If you need help and support from CARC please contact them through one of the following methods:

 Adviceline: 0808 278 7807 - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm

 Universal Credit Help to Claim line: 0800 1448444, for anyone seeking to make a new claim for Universal Credit

 Webchat or email via: www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk

 Information is also available online at www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk or at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

In-person, face-to-face appointments for advice are available at CARC’s main offices and outreach sessions by appointment only after initial contact via telephone, online form or webchat – use the contact methods above for more information and to book.

You can also contact the Queen Mary Centre on 01945 581444.