Homes Plus launches new community hub for Burton Square

Homes Plus has officially opened a new hub for the benefit of the community in Burton Square, Stafford.

Based in the heart of Burton Square, the site has been transformed into a facility offering valuable resources for residents.

The Community Hub will allow the social landlord to provide free and confidential advice on benefit entitlement, how to best manage finances and help writing CVs and gaining employment.

Local people and others can come and use the computers and Wi-Fi to practice their IT skills for free or chat to Homes Plus about employment opportunities at the organisation.

Homes Plus customers, Roy and Susan, and Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Andy Cooper, had the honour of cutting the ribbon, marking the launch of the hub at a special ceremony involving local residents and guests from the local council, nearby businesses and organisations.

Roy and Susan, from Stafford, have been Homes Plus customers for almost 40 years. Susan said: "It felt very emotional to help cut the ribbon today.

"The hub is brilliant; the staff are so friendly and welcoming and it already feels part of the community. It's going to be a great service, where people can come and speak to someone in person and it's on the doorstep for a lot of people.

"There's lots of Homes Plus customers around here, so it will be a big benefit to them and other members of the community. We'll be here all the time; they'll be fed up of us!"

Sarah Boden, Homes Plus Chief Executive, said: "This is our first hub in Staffordshire and I'm delighted to see it open.

"The Community Hub is a focal point for the local community, not just our residents. For me it is very much an example of the ‘Plus' in Homes Plus.

"It's somewhere where people can get advice on what benefits they could be entitled to, money management and a place where they can develop their IT skills, ask for help writing a CV and interview preparation.

"We have two other hubs in Shropshire that have been running for a number of years now and we know this new hub in Stafford will make an enormous difference and the team are here ready to help."

Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Andy Cooper, said "It's tremendous to see this facility open in Burton Square.

"I always thought Homes Plus was just homes, I had no idea that they were opening community services like this as well and it's so important.

"So much is online now, but we can't assume that everyone has access to the internet at home. Now people can come to the hub and use the IT services here.

"There's also interview rooms where people can receive help writing their CV and advice on managing their money.

"Hubs like this are really vital for the community."

Jason Burt, Chair of the Homes Plus Board, added: "I was delighted to see so many people attend the opening. It's a great facility with something for everyone. It's my sincere hope that the hub becomes a true focal point of the local community."

Burton Square Community Hub is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-12.30pm and 1pm-4pm.