Mayor opens new community hub in the heart of Bury

Ingeus joined Bury Council in celebrating the launch of the Bury NeighbourHub in Mill Gate Shopping Centre at its official opening on Monday 8 January 2024.

Opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Sandra Walmsley, the new community hub provides a relaxed environment where local people can go to seek help and advice on issues including housing, employment, money management and health.

The mayor said: “It was an honour and a privilege to officially open the new advice centre. I’m sure it will be a great help to many Bury residents who will welcome a central point, open five days a week, where they can get advice on a wide range of employment and skills support.”

Funded by the Community Investment Fund (CIF), the Bury NeighbourHub is a collaborative project between Bury Works, Bury Council and Ingeus, an employment services provider working with residents and employers to help create lasting employment.

The hub is open Monday to Friday with agencies such as Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice, National Careers Service, and local health support services regularly on site so that Bury residents can access a one-stop shop of support.

Ingeus will provide information on the Working Well Work and Health Programme, including the new Pioneer support programme, commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to help people on out of work benefits or who are economically inactive secure sustainable employment.

Bury Neighbourhub also provides space for local people from different backgrounds to come together and connect, get involved in community projects, and learn how their skills and ideas can help Bury to become an even better place to live.

Representatives from Bury Council, Jobcentre Plus and other local partners including charities and specialist services attended the opening event, which showcased the variety of services available.

Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy, said: “This is a great initiative, and an excellent example of the council working with public and private sector partners. My thanks go to everyone involved in getting it off the ground, and I look forward to seeing how it gets on. Given the current economic climate, it’s so important to support those who have been out of work for a prolonged period back into meaningful employment.”

Nicola Wood, Head of Delivery for Ingeus, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people attend the launch event. Our mission is to enable better lives and the NeighbourHub provides us with another avenue to support even more people with finding suitable local employment.”