Sign of the Times for DAWN CAB in Morpeth

01 February 2012

The DAWN Citizens Advice Bureau in Morpeth has unveiled new signage aimed at increasing its presence in the town - and announced plans to open for twice as long to cope with an increased demand for its services.

The Oldgate-based office has had a new roundel sign installed, thanks to donations from St George's Church and from Widdrington Village Parish Council. Valerie Coomber, from the Parish Council, and Ron Foster, Minister at St George's, were both on hand to unveil the new signage.

Liz Chadwick, chief executive of DAWN Advice which manages the DAWN CAB, says the new sign will make the office easier to find for people from outside Morpeth - the office draws in clients from across south Northumberland, including Ashington and Ponteland.

She said demand for the bureau's services had now soared so high that as of February 1st, the office would be opening for twice as many hours per week - from 10am until 4pm from Monday to Friday - in order to cope with an increased demand for help.

She added: "The new signage is fantastic - we have needed it for some time as people from outside Morpeth found it difficult to find the office, but now it can be spotted from right the way along the high street. We are very grateful for the donations that have allowed this to happen.

"We are also pleased to confirm that the CAB will be opening for twice as long - pleased in that it will provide an invaluable service to even more people who need it.

"However, it is an unfortunate sign of the times that free, impartial advice is so highly sought-after. We see this pattern every year in late January, when credit card bills from Christmas start landing on people's doormats, and the reality of Christmas overspending starts to hit home.

"The problems this year are exacerbated by ongoing high unemployment rates. Luckily, more help is at hand than ever before and I urge people struggling with post-Christmas debt to seek advice as quickly as possible."

Anyone in need of free and impartial debt or legal advice can access face-to-face support at the DAWN CAB in Morpeth's Tower Buildings or by contacting the CAB through the Northumberland Single Telephone Advice Line on 0844 4111 309.