Citizens Advice 

Citizens Advice Milton Keynes is a local charity that has been providing advice and support to local people for over 40 years. We are a member of Citizens Advice, a national network of almost 400 bureaux that was created in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War. 

The Citizens Advice service helps people to resolve their problems. As the UK’s largest advice provider we are equipped to deal with any issue, from anyone, spanning debt and employment to consumer and housing plus everything in between. Our team of volunteers, supported by a small paid staff, operate telephone, face to face and email advice services that are available to anybody who wants to use them. Our advice is confidential, impartial and free of charge. 

We are based at Acorn House in Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HP
but because of the COVID-19 pandemic we can’t offer face-to-face appointments at the moment, so our drop-in service is closed. However you can still call our free local advice line on 0808 278 7991 between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday.  Website (opens in a new window): www.miltonkeynescab.org.uk

Housing problems and homelessness 

Having somewhere safe and secure to live is a basic need, but many people face housing problems at some point in their life. Illness, redundancy, relationship breakdown, debt etc. can all too easily lead to someone facing eviction and ultimately homelessness. Connection Floating Support is a registered charity based in MK and here to help during times of need. We work with people to help them take control of their situation and find suitable solutions to enable them to keep a roof over their head and live an independent and fulfilling life. 

The service is open to people of any age, living in any type of housing – privately owned, privately rented, council or housing association. You don’t need to be referred by a professional and the service is confidential and  free. You won’t be judged, just helped to get back on track. You can contact them on 01908 363492 or at mkenquiries@connectionfs.org 

Counselling 

In 2005 the founders of Counselling Directory watched a close friend struggle to find the information they were looking for when they were in desperate need of emotional support. This was when they realised there was a need for a service bringing together the information required to help individuals find a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist in their local area. 

Counselling Directory (Website [opens in a new window] www.counselling-directory.org.uk or 0844 803 0252) is a confidential service that encourages those in distress to seek help. The directory contains information on many different types of distress, as well as articles, news, and events. To ensure the professionalism of our website, all counsellors have provided the organisation with qualifications and insurance cover or proof of membership with a professional body. 

Getting a job 

Not in paid work? Looking to improve your skills, abilities and confidence? Works for Us can help! Works for Us offers free advice, workshops and short courses to help you build self-esteem, gain new skills and search for paid work. 

Regular Groups and Courses include:
• Job Clubs – supported advice and training to help you find and apply for jobs, both voluntary and paid 
• Employability Skills – interview skills and help with your CV 
• Computers for beginners 
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 
• Confidence, interpersonal skills and assertiveness workshops 
• Arts, crafts and sewing skills sessions 
• Yoga and photography groups 

We also provide:
• Volunteering support to find appropriate voluntary roles and to make the most of them. Call to book an appointment with our advisor. 
• Information, Advice and Guidance service – employability and progression support. Call to book an appointment with our advisor. 
• Our Working Wardrobe provides suitable interview and work clothes at a discounted price for everyone not currently in paid work 
Booking is essential. Call or email us to find out more about how we can help, and book your place on one or more of our courses. 

Phone: 01908 200186
Mobile: 07852 963744 
E-mail: info@worksforus.org.uk 

Opening times – Monday to Thursdays 9.30 – 4.30 
 Works for Us, The Point, 602 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3NB.  Website (opens in a new window) www. worksforus.org.uk 

Addiction

Rehab Recovery is an organisation that provides addiction treatment and healthcare advice for a wide range of different addiction and dependency problems. We offer high quality advice and referral service that matches our clients to the right variety of treatment which will solve their problems and let them get on with their normal lives free of the burden of addiction.

Call the free helpline on 0800 088 6686 for confidential support and advice 24/7. For more details go to their website (opens in a new window): www.rehab-recovery.co.uk

Addiction Advocates: If you are ready to experience the value of rehab, we are here to assist your search, selection and admission process. By firstly understanding you as a person, necessary requirements to promote addiction recovery, your current relationship with drugs and alcohol, and your overall health, we can provide realistic recommendations.
Those recommendations will focus on finding a suitable drug and alcohol rehab in Milton Keynes, the optimal delivery of rehab for your needs, and effective addiction treatment options which will influence a positive response. More information phone 0800 012 6088, text HELP to 83222 or go to www.addictionadvocates.com.

The Castlethorpe Charity for the Poor/Church

The charity was constituted in 1894 by Lady (Dame Bridget) Tyrrill to provide for both the Poor of Castlethorpe and for the Church and is registered with the Charities Commission under no. 233681. 

A copy of the 1894 document shows that the Trustees may use their discretion to provide for items such as “…coal, clothing, linen, bedding, fuel, tools, medical or aid in Sickness, Food or other articles in kind…” and “…temporary relief in money, by way of loan or otherwise, in cases of unexpected loss or sudden destitution…”  

It must be remembered that this was set up in an era well before we had a welfare state as we know it today and would have been an important safety net for those who might have benefited after 1894. While it is difficult to envisage anyone falling into this category today, the Charity continues to administer the income in the spirit of the original intent and determines from time-to-time the criteria for the beneficiaries.

Currently this is that a potential beneficiary satisfies that they will have lived in the village for at least two years, be 65 years of age or over, live alone and is not working. 

The Charity’s income is derived principally from the land known as Poor’s Piece which is situated immediately after Lodge Cottages on the right-hand side of the Wolverton Road when going out of the village towards Haversham. It consists of 18.99 acres of agricultural land. Other periodic income is from a wayleave from power suppliers who have a service pole on the land. 

The Trustees of the Charity are drawn from the village of Castlethorpe. The constitution says that one “ex-officio” trustee will be the Vicar of Castlethorpe parish and the other seven trustees are a combination of four “representative” trustees nominated by the Parish Council and three “cooptative” trustees drawn from the Village. The current Parish representative trustees are: Davina Brown, Lawrence Chapman, Peter Grigson and Evangeline Norris. The co-opted trustees are: David Brooks, Amy Pearson and Charles Sawbridge. 

The trustees meet twice a year and have distribute the income in December of each year. 

Any enquiries to the Trustees should be directed to the current Clerk/Treasurer to the Trustees, Jeanette Hollands, 14a South Street, Castlethorpe MK19 7EL. Tel: 01908 510049. Email: jeanette@geofh.demon.co.uk.