Voluntary services in Haverhill have received a welcome boost thanks to a unique partnership arrangement with St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
St Edmundsbury has been working closely with a number of voluntary organisations to provide them with the facilities for a ‘one-stop centre’ in Haverhill that is easily accessible to clients. Organisations include the Haverhill Association of Voluntary Organisations (HAVO), Haverhill Advocacy and Mentoring Service (HAMS), Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Haverhill Volunteer Centre (HVC) and 3 CountyTransport initiative (3CT).
The five voluntary organisations are now reaping the benefits of working together under one roof after moving into their new premises during May and July - an office formerly occupied by Havebury Housing Partnership at the St Edmundsbury Borough Council offices in Lower Downs Slade. The building, known as the ‘Haverhill Centre for Voluntary Agencies’, has been adapted to meet the needs of the organisations who share common reception arrangements with St Edmundsbury.
Councillor Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury Cabinet member for Resources said:
“This is fantastic news for the voluntary organisations in Haverhill and everyone who uses their vital services. I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to support their valuable work by enabling them to bring their services together under one roof, making them even more accessible to members of the community.”
Ann Thomas, from the Haverhill Association of Voluntary Organisations said:
“Having the voluntary organisations working together in the same building for the first time will be a bonus for the people of Haverhill. We would like to thank St Edmundsbury Borough Council for making it possible to move and to all those who helped make the move go so smoothly.”
Maria Mason from the Haverhill Advocacy and Mentoring Service said:
“As a relatively new addition to the voluntary sector in Haverhill we were extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to join the organisations in the new building. I feel we are now here to stay and look forward to working even more closely with the voluntary sector and borough council colleagues."
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Images of the Haverhill Centre for Voluntary Agencies are available on request.
- Contact details as follows:
HAVO 01440 714641
HAMS 01440 712052
CAB 01440 704012
HVC 01440 708444
3CT 01440 712028
Full address: Council Offices, Lower Downs Slade, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9EE. The Haverhill Centre for Voluntary Agencies will officially open in September this year.
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 email maria.ethridge@stedsbc.gov.uk
