Citizens Advice and MindSpace Stamford have joined forces to provide a new home for face to face advice services for the residents of Stamford and the surrounding areas.

Here, residents will be able to access for support or help to overcome the challenges that the current cost of living and energy crisis brings, as well as other challenges.

MindSpace Stamford is a local charity with a vision to improve the Mental Health and Wellbeing of the whole of Stamford and help its people to flourish.

Providing a range of community-based groups, MindSpace also partners with local organisations and educational settings to encourage local people to support each other, listen better and be able to better manage Mental Wellbeing with a community approach.

It was founded in 2015 by Dr Dan Petrie, who in December 2021 raised funds for the group by joining the Stamford Snaat Fun Run. Read more here.

Now, the Stamford branch are 'branching out', adding advice session to their list of services provided in and around Stamford.

Photo shows Alan Tarbuck of Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire at MindSpace in Broad Street, Stamford (image courtesy of MindSpace)

Sean Betts, Impact Officer for Citizens Advice, described the free, confidential service as "a way forward" for those struggling with legal, debt, consumer, energy, housing or other issues in Stamford. 

Mr Betts added: "MindSpace is the ideal host for a Citizens Advice service – it is easy to access in Broad Street and it is open every day so even on the days that Citizens Advice isn't there, people will be able to make appointments easily or just drop in."

Beka Avery, Chair of Trustees of MindSpace said: "We are very grateful for funding provided through the Managed Care Network which means that we can now provide a service to anyone in Stamford who would benefit from advice, signposting or support to find resolutions to practical and financial issues.

"Poor mental health and financial stress are interconnected with one negatively impacting the other., The current economic climate means that we are seeing many more people coming through our doors weighed down by debt or problems with their benefit payments or housing which is impacting on their mental well-being.

"We are already seeing the benefits of having an experienced Citizens Advice representative based in our hub  who is is able to offer support to people. It has already  made a big difference in the lives of some of our members and people who have needed support from Citizens Advice have also been able to access the additional well-being support that MindSpace has to offer. It's been the perfect partnership."

Examples of how Citizens Advice at MindSpace have so far helped clients include:

• complete housing and attendance allowance applications
• arranged multiple debt appointments
• helped pensioners with no internet access to complete housing benefit and council tax reduction forms
• issued food bank and energy vouchers
• challenged DWP decisions
• negotiated with energy suppliers to change payment methods on behalf of vulnerable clients

The new service operates out of MindSpace Stamford hub, which cab ne found at:

39 Broad Street

Stamford

PE9 1PX

The facility will be open two days per week, with drop-in times published on the MindSpace website each month.  

Appointments are also available by emailing [email protected] or calling 07563 385273.

Residents in need are encourage to enquire, and will find that MindSpace sessions are safe spaces which are open to all, warm and friendly with different styles to suit different people.