Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith's visit to our Malvern Help Centre
The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, visited our Malvern Help Centre last week, highlighting the vital role of community led initiatives in supporting residents who face barriers to reporting issues and accessing services.
The visit was organised by Councillor Marilyn Birks, Mayor of Malvern Town. She explained: “We were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith to Malvern Help Centre; the Platform team who run the centre offer such valuable and supportive services to its customers and wider community members including helping people back into work or securing their first job, a cause at the very heart of the Minister’s portfolio.”
Malvern Help Centre – a one stop shop established in 2015 – offers crucial support for individuals in the local community; since its launch it has evolved and now brings in multiple partners from employability to repairs, to debt and anti social behaviour specialists, regularly accessed by between 20 and 60 people a week. It offers a variety of support and assistance to residents including IT skills, online safety, job search, debt advice as well as health and wellbeing.
Customers who have benefited from the centre’s services attended the visit, sharing their experiences and the impact it has had on their lives.
Former customer John Davies-Mourby shared his story. He said: “I didn’t have the best start in life; I struggled at school and left with no qualifications. I lost my job, my home, got divorced and was really struggling with my mental health. But thanks to the Help Centre I have really turned my life around. I was able to access educational courses which led me to studying for an undergraduate degree and then a postgraduate one. The centre gave me the confidence to find my path in life.”
John is now a Learning Support Assistant at Heart of Worcestershire College, working with young people to help them towards a brighter future.
The event was also attended by key local stakeholders, including Councillor Caroline Bovey from Malvern Town Council and Jen Taylor, Director of Communities and Housing at Malvern Hills District Council, underscoring the importance of collaboration between housing providers, local authorities and government, to address community needs.
Other organisations in attendance included representatives from Citizen Advice, Homes for Ukraine and Christians Against Poverty.
The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith said: “Malvern Help Centre is an inspiring example of how local initiatives can help break down barriers and provide much needed support to those who might struggle to access help. It’s a testament to the dedication of Platform Housing Group and its partners.”
The visit showcased our commitment to creating inclusive and accessible solutions that empower customers, enhance wellbeing and build stronger communities.
Tim Marsh, our Digital Empowerment Officer - the brains behind the initiative alongside Matt White, Wellbeing and Lifeskills Adviser from Citizens Advice - said: “We were proud to host the Minister and showcase the incredible work of Malvern Help Centre. It is an initiative that is all about making a real difference to people’s lives and we’re thrilled to have such strong support from our partners and the wider community.”
It is open every Thursday morning from 10.00am until 12midday at Malvern Town Football Club.
Photo caption : l to r, Chris Pinder, Chair, Malvern Town Football Club CIC; Dana Hughes, Club House Manager, Malvern Town Football Club CIC; Tim Marsh, Digital Empowerment Officer, Platform Housing Group; Cllr Marilyn Birks, Mayor of Malvern Town; Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills; Matt White, Wellbeing and Lifeskills Adviser, Citizens Advice; Jen Taylor, Director of Communities and Housing, Malvern Hills District Council and Nick Richardson, Community Engagement Officer, Platform Housing Group.