Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) optimistic after 10-year wait for new office in Nairn
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A new Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) office is expected to open its doors in Nairn soon.
The facility will occupy the ground floor in part of a £3 million development incorporating 12 social housing flats on what was the site of a former Free Church building which later became the town’s first community centre.
The property was demolished and used for car parking when the new Community and Arts Centre opened.
Nairn CAB manager Gill Maclean said staff and volunteers were looking forward to the transfer from their existing premises located in the High Street.
“Having been searching for new premises for over 10 years, we were delighted to be approached by Highland Council regarding the purchase of the ground floor of a new building,” she said.
“We had investigated a vast number of options prior to this – even using a volunteer consultant to search for something suitable for us.
“There was nothing accessible enough and affordable within the town. We even invested valuable funds exploring the option of refurbishing the old social work building but the final cost was prohibitive.
“Without the council’s funding and help and that of Paul MacDonald, of CRGP Architects, we would not be moving to a purpose-built space which will better enable us to meet the increasing demand for our help.”
Contractors are nearing completion of the building, fitting out the offices and apartments which has a frontage on the A96 through Nairn in King Street and extends back into the car park.
The derelict former social work building next to the development has been used by the contractors during construction and its long-term future remains in doubt.
The CAB project and housing, however, was not without controversy.
Highland Council was rapped by the Ombudsman for granting £198,000 from town centre regeneration funding towards the project. Local community councils claimed the cash should have been invested in regenerating town centre properties and not new buildings.
They claimed the funding was handed over without consultation – an assertion that was upheld by the Ombudsman though Highland Council has appealed the findings of the investigation.
New Nairn CAB hub will be there to help
The CAB hopes to be operating from its new premises from November 28.
But Mrs Maclean said the first few days will be by telephone/email contact only as staff get used to the new office and technology.
“We will be opening the front door to the public on December 1,” she said.
“Over the past 10 years staff and volunteers have been fundraising for this move but we are also grateful for the grants given by Citizens Advice Scotland, Davidson Trust, Scottish Government, as well as donations from members of the public.
“The Rotary Club of Nairn has helped fund the fit out of the digital hub.”
Ms Maclean said the new building had seven interview rooms which means CAB advisers can meet more clients face-to-face and reduce waiting time for appointments.
“It will be a bright and pleasant space to come to, fully accessible, and we will continue to support applications for welfare benefits, grants, hardship payments, vouchers etc; help people who have debts; work with people to avoid eviction, homelessness and other housing issues; we offer specialist help to members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans and their families; our energy adviser will help people with the utility bills too,” she said.
She said the the new building will give space to increase the impact of the bureau and to help more people, develop new projects.
“With the current cost-of-living crisis this is much needed,” she added. “Covid saw a depletion in the number of our volunteers – our current premises are too cramped to permit the previous numbers in the building so we are planning to recruit volunteers who may wish to train as advisers.
“There are easier places to volunteer. We ask a lot of our volunteers but the training and support we provide makes Nairn CAB the ideal place for someone who wants to meet new people if you are recently retired or new to the area; learn new skills, gain experience if you are looking to move into paid work – we ask for a minimum commitment of six hours per week for advisers but are very flexible about days/time. We are also looking for volunteers to help with reception work.”
Last year Nairn CAB helped 1642 people. Volunteers donated 10,000 hours and clients in Nairn were better off by £1,632,013.
Anyone interested in learning more about volunteering should email bureau@nairncab.casonline.org.uk or call 01667 456677.
