Jobcentre Plus advisers will be jumping on board the Sure Start bus next week, named the SS Explorer, when it stops off at the Burton Hotel in Hatton Gardens to help parents with advice and support on a range of childcare issues.

Specialist advisers from Jobcentre Plus, Sure Start and the Inland Revenue will be available on the bus between 10.30am to 12.00pm and 1.30pm to 3.00pm on Friday 6th February 2004. It will be situated in the car park at the hotel in Kington.

Netta Hallam, information officer for Jobcentre Plus said,

‘This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to find all local services under one roof. Jobcentre Plus works in partnership with several local organisations to provide the best possible service to all our customers and we hope that this initiative will help residents of Kington and the surrounding areas find out about what help is available to them on their doorstep.”

She added,

“Jobcentre Plus advisers will be on hand to give advice on benefits and a New Deal Lone Parent adviser will also be on board at every other stop to talk to parents who are interested in returning to work and would like assistance with finding a job or suitable training opportunity.”

New Deal for Lone Parents is available to anyone bringing up children under the aged of 16 on their own who are not in full time work or work least than 16 hours a week. As well as helping parents find a job or training course, it offers financial help towards the cost when they attend pre-arranged interviews, training or when first starting work, as well as in work benefits calculations.

Netta continued,

“We shall be holding the surgeries on the bus once a month and moving around the district to various locations to reach as many people in the local community as possible.”

The SS Explorer has a private interview room for parents to have a confidential chat to one of the specialist advisers, along with crèche facilities.

The bus will be stopping off next at the YMCA in Henwick Road, Worcester on Monday 16th February between 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Anyone who would like further information should call Netta at Jobcentre Plus on telephone number 01905 684665.