Residents will be able to talk to advisers face to face to support them with issues ranging from housing, benefits right through to training and job opportunities
As part of a drive to transform customer services, a series of Residents’ Hubs are being rolled out to make sure we are reaching all our residents through channels which are right for them.
Many councils across the country are switching to digital contact only but Tower Hamlets Council realises not one size fits all and is keen to have several options for residents to be able to contact us dependent on their needs. Whether is it by phone, face to face or online.
The council unveiled its latest Residents’ Hub at Cubitt Town Library on the Isle of Dogs. Two more hubs will follow at Idea Store Chrisp Street and Idea Store Bow over the next couple of weeks.
A Residents’ Hub is a face to face advice service for those who cannot access council services online. There will be two advisers based at Cubitt Town Library.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman was joined by residents at the library to officially open the hub last week.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Maium Talukdar, Cllr Kabir Ahmed cabinet member with responsibility for Customer Services and ward councillors Ahmodar Khan, Abdul Malik and Bellal Uddin also attended the launch.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“We are determined to be a council that listens to and works for everyone, and with that in mind we realise that not everyone is able to use or access digital devices and channels.
“We will maintain face-to-face services through our Residents’ Hubs for those who need them, while providing a streamlined digital offer for those who are able to access services online.”
The council, in partnership with voluntary and community groups, trialled two Residents’ Hubs at the former Town Hall at Mulberry Place and Idea Store Whitechapel last year.
A permanent Residents’ Hub was unveiled at the new Town Hall earlier this year. The trial has been a runaway success reaching more than 8,000 residents since 2022 and 4,000 referrals were made to partner agencies.
Cllr Kabir Ahmed, cabinet member with responsibility for Customer Services added:
“As promised, we have created a much-needed Residents’ Hubs across the borough, providing much needed support services for our most vulnerable residents.
“Our resident hubs offer a wide range of direct face to face services to our residents.
“The service offer includes help with housing, council tax, benefits, domestic abuse, health and wellbeing employment and skills, debt management and welfare.”
Further new hubs will be opening at:
- Idea Store Chrisp Street from 27 July
- Idea Store Bow from 17 August
External organisations which have signed up to work with the Residents’ Hub include; Citizens Advice, DWP, Island Advice, Age UK, Limehouse Project, Tower Hamlets Homes, Debt Free London, Age UK and Tower Hamlets Law Centre. We are in discussion with other partners who we will be bringing onboard soon.
To find out more about how to make an appointment at any of our hubs visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/residentshub
Posted on Wednesday 19th July 2023