A FREE service which gives advice to people living across Hambleton and Richmondshire on matters from debt to housing and employment issues, is expanding thanks to a lottery grant.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has been awarded the money to reach more people across the district.

The money from the Big Lottery Fund will enable the CAB to offer a service now in Easingwold, Topcliffe near Thirsk and Bedale, as well as continue outreach services in rural parts of Richmondshire.

The funding will allow the bureau to train more volunteers to support their communities – and volunteers interested in this opportunity should contact the office.

Advice and project co-ordinator, Rachel Hunter said: “This is a tremendous and exciting development for us. It allows us to once again provide the much needed service to residents of Richmondshire – but also to open outreaches in the Easingwold, Topcliffe and Bedale areas of Hambleton.

“It means we can also work with even more partners and deliver more sessions in the community. These are the first new outreaches, but more are planned in both areas.”

The need for rural outreach programmes has become more urgent in recent years, as rural communities lose facilities such as bank branches, bus services and other services, which has compounded problems such as rural poverty.

The Rural Reach Hambleton project will provide people needing information on a range of matters and can help with debt, welfare benefit, housing, consumer issues and employment.

If the matter is a complex one, such as help with employment tribunals, benefit appeals, bankruptcy or debt management plans or repossession, an appointment is made to see one of the CAB’s specialists or a referral to another specialist organisation is made.

The new rural outreach services will take place at:

• Bedale Library, at Bedale Hall. Tuesdays, 10am until 12.30pm

• Easingwold Library, Market Place. Tuesdays, 2pm until 4.30pm

• Topcliffe Surgery, Long Street. Mondays, 9.30am until 12pm

Rural outreach services already take place weekly at Richmond Community Office, Leyburn Medical Practice, Hawes Community Office, George Nickly House on Broadway, Catterick Garrison and Colburn Library and Information Service. A monthly service is also help by appointment at Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison.

For more information visit; www.hambletonandrichmondshirecab.org.uk or contact Hambleton and Richmondshire Citizen Advice on 01748 826532.