Community shop urges residents to use 'vital' services (From Borehamwood Times)

Community shop urges residents to use 'vital' services

8:40am Sunday 24th January 2010

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A "ONE-STOP" shop in Borehamwood that provides a huge range of free advice services is urging residents to stop by.

The Community Shop, in Leeming Road, acts as a unique drop-in service offering support on money, health, housing and employment issues.

It acts as a hub for charities, colleges and public services, and provides free internet access for all.

Yesterday Community Action Hertsmere, which runs the shop, held a publicity event to advertise its services after becoming frustrated that so few people knew about it.

Kimberley Wadham, shop administrator, said: "We decided to have a publicity day because most of the local community have no idea what we do.

"All residents see when they walk past is a community shop with a graffitied shutter, and they just carry on.

"But we help with anything and everything, whether it be financial, legal, emotional - anything.

"We tell people where to go to help get their problems sorted. We have very strong links with a huge array of organisations.

"It is truly a vital service, a one-stop shop where people can go and resolve all the problems in one place."

Organisations that use the shop include Age Concern, Herts Young Homeless Group, Youth Connexions and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

The shop also holds regular IT courses, smoking cessation workshops, bereavement counselling and employment advice sessions.

Clare Monahan, 39, a cancer sufferer from Berwick Road, was deeply depressed when she approached the shop for help, but is now "blossoming".

In a letter to the shop staff, she wrote: "You have all helped me beat the depression I was in and are always around to talk to.

"My confidence is again growing (I am blossoming again) and this is all down to yourselves just being there.

"The Community Shop is helping me get a job and is helping me personally as well.

"It would be devastating if the shop was no more."

Gary Howe, 53, from Broughinge Road, attends the shop once a week for a computer course to help him find a job in engineering.

He said: "I'm too old to be sitting in a room full of students, so this is perfect for me.

"It should really be better used. People know about the CAB, but they don't know about all the stuff here, which is unfortunate.

"The number of services is phenomenal."

For more information visit www.communityactionhertsmere.org.

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