New Buckie Hub aims to provide warm refuge against cost of living crisis
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A WARM place in what is shaping up to be a long, hard winter – that is the aim of a new community facility set to open soon in Buckie.
The Hub – situated at 17 East Church Street in the former Stew ‘n’ Drew’s shop – is the brainchild of Buckie Area Forum (BAF) and will be seeking to provide access to a range of services as well as a safe, warm place for people to come to.
A team of volunteers from the forum are currently working hard to convert the former ice cream shop into the Hub, which will include creating a meeting room.
The ever deepening cost of living crisis, including sky-rocketing energy bills, was to provide the inspiration for the project, as BAF chairman Gordon McDonald explained.
He said: “We’ve been watching the news and seeing the continually increasing cost of living crisis and threat of what this means to so many families.
“According to some estimates, around 50 per cent of households could find themselves in fuel poverty this winter. It will have a real impact on folk.
“Buckie Area Forum’s job is to help the community in any way we can so we have worked with communities, groups and agencies to set up the Hub.
"We’re also looking for other groups who would be interested in coming in and participating in the project.
“We’d also be delighted to hear from people willing to volunteer – there are a wide range of roles available, some more specialist, others general but all vital to the running of the hub.
“We’ll have a warm hub area where people can come in and have a seat, a heat and a cuppa.
“The Hub will also provide an opportunity for folk to get access to a variety of agencies and services.
"We’ve been working with other agencies to bring them on board with a view to holding surgeries and so on.
“If we can’t help people directly we’ll signpost them to someone who can.
“Going forward we’re also hoping to be able to offer a free internet connection which people can come in and use.”
Among the many services the Hub aims to offer are: Help accessing information and support on anything from housing, money and finances to family, relationships and health; Signpost people to advisors about benefits, debt and housing; Connect people with local services to resolve problems they may face; Provide references to the local food bank and community larder; Connect people with the local employability team.
Mr McDonald added: “The key thing about the Hub is that it’s for everyone, it’s confidential, non-judgemental and free.
“It’ll be something unique in Buckie.
“I hope that it helps mitigate the impact of poverty and basically just helps people, even if it’s just for a little while, to help get them through the winter and show a bit of empathy and compassion.”
The Hub is set to open in early November, initially on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Anyone interested in volunteering, or for more information, should e-mail admin@buckie.co
