VULNERABLE people in the district can now gain access to free face-to-face help with benefits changes after the opening of the new Rural Cambs Citizens Advice Bureau offices in Huntingdon and St Neots.

Rural Cambs CAB had been running an interim service in the area since January last year after the offices in St Neots and Huntingdon closed in December.

The offices, which opened on Monday, provide a free drop-in service with independent advice from a team of 38 volunteers and a small number of full-time staff on debt, benefits, employment, housing and other concerns or problems people may have.

There will also be a more comprehensive phone service with volunteers guiding callers through the use of the national advice website and arranging appointments for face-to-face sessions.

Beverley Howard, chief executive of Rural CAB, said that the service was just in time to help with crucial benefit changes that could cause financial difficulties.

Clients will be able to drop in to the offices at the Town Hall in Huntingdon without an appointment from Monday to Wednesday between 9.30pm-1pm and in the Community Rooms, St Mary’s School, Wintringham Road, St Neots, on Tuesday and Fridays between 9.30am-noon.

In Huntingdon appointments and specialist debt sessions will also be available Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm with appointments available in St Neots on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Advice will be available over the phone from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm on 0844 245 1292.

The service relies mainly upon specially trained volunteers who usually work one or two days a week.

INFORMATION: To find out about volunteering at the bureau drop in to one of the offices or e-mail recruitment@ruralcambscab.org.uk. For more details visit: www.ruralcambscab.org.uk