Hounslow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Residents in Hounslow can now access money, housing and health support at nearby libraries, as local hubs expand community assistance services.
As a consequence of the Council’s transformation of all 11 libraries into community hubs, residents throughout the borough can now visit their local library to obtain a variety of services close to home. This will supplement the library’s present offerings of books, computers and workstations, programs, and more.
On Monday, December 1, Councillors and Cabinet Members Ajmer Grewal for Resident Support, Communities, and equivalence and Salman Shaheen for Culture, Leisure, and Public Spaces paid a visit to the Osterley Community Hub and Library. They gabbled with workers about the new community hub service and visited a knitting and embroidery group and a baby stay and play session, all of which are part of the Council’s warm spaces programme.
Since their preface in 2023, Hounslow’s community capitals have supported over 10,000 residents in penetrating support. The Council’s centers also give free conditioning for kids and grown-ups.
Many Hounslow libraries also host voluntary sector groups such as Citizens Advice Hounslow and the Hounslow Seniors Trust. Making it easier for people to find the correct aid, when they need it, and close to home.
Hounslow’s community hub and libraries are also excellent venues to participate in activities, meet new people, and learn new skills. During the winter, visitors can remain warm in their local library by reading, using a computer, or participating in one of the various events available.
Councillor Ajmer Grewal said
“We’re excited to have completed the delivery of all 11 community hubs, within our libraries this year and I’m happy to have visited one of them this week.
It was a pleasure to meet the baby stay and play group and catch up and learn more about how the space will better support local people.
These hubs bring key services closer to the doorstep of every home in Hounslow. They also bring us another step closer to our ambition of making Hounslow a fairer place to live, where everyone has a chance to thrive.”
Councillor Salman Shaheen said
“We have achieved our goal of delivering community hub support in all our libraries, as part of our wider ambition to bring council services together, to better serve local people.
It was great to visit our Osterley Hub and meet members of their knitting and needlework group. I also welcomed the opportunity to talk to staff about our new community hub offer.
We invite residents to visit their new community hub and library, to pick up some more digital skills, find somewhere to work, borrow their child’s first library book or simply take a break in the warm.”
What specific money management services are available at Hounslow hubs?
Hounslow community capitals at libraries offer specific plutocrat operation services through Citizens Advice drop- sways and mate organisations. Free, nonpublic support from National Debtline, StepChange Debt Charity, and Citizens Advice Hounslow for managing debt, individual voluntary arrangements( IVAs), and debt relief orders.
Guidance on budgeting, benefits claims assessments, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, and maximising income via Money Helper and original counsels. Help with direct payments, particular budgets, nominees deputies for vulnerable residents, and affordable credit through Thamesbank Credit Union.
Referrals to FoodBox food bank (up to 3 uses/ 12 months with testimonial), loan wolf reporting, and cost- of- living aid( e.g., energy abatements, transport schemes).
