Newcastle community to benefit from dedicated advice project

A new community project designed to help some of the poorest North East residents increase their weekly income and provide free debt, employment and housing advice opened its doors this week in Kenton.

The Kenton Centre Project is a partnership between Newcastle City Council and support services experts, Eaga who in April announced they were teaming up as business partners to tap into a £2.1bn market by bidding for contract work from other public bodies. 

The project is the first example of the two organisations working together and is seen as an exciting step forward for those involved in the new business venture.

Speaking about the Kenton Centre Project, Paul Varley, Divisional Managing Director at Eaga said: “This joint venture company is the first of its type in the country, and it’s fitting that we kick start the partnership with a project that is also a first. 

“The Kenton Centre Project is the first time in the history of Eaga that we have provided free face to face advice to local people and if successful we fully envisage the programme will be rolled out to other areas.”

As part of the project residents can access free advice and legal support three days a week on issues including redundancy, debt and benefit entitlement.

Speaking about the Project, Ray Ward, Corporate Transformation Programme Director at Newcastle City Council said: “The Kenton Project is another example of Eaga and the council working together to provide a service that will really benefit local people.

“This partnership was set up with the intention of tapping into the shared services market, delivering services just like this as well as council tax payments, IT and customer service.  But it’s always been about delivering a service that meets the needs of our customers and delivers real benefits to the communities we serve.”

“We firmly believe this project will be a huge success, will provide a much needed service to this community and will act as a real platform for us to launch similar projects throughout the city.”

It is estimated up to 4,000 residents will visit the centre each month which will be ran by highly experienced legal advisors, independently rated as providing a 1st class advisory service.

The centre will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during office hours.

Ends

For further information contact:

Jane Gatiss
Head of Marketing
Managed Services
Eaga
Tel: (0191) 245  8426
Email: jane.gatiss@Eaga.com