Harold Tomlins Centre programmes for the low income in Cheshire

The team at the Harold Tomlins Centre can direct clients to services provided by them or other safety net schemes. Most of the aid will prioritize the homeless, but anyone that is in need of assistance can contact the charity for assistance.

Many of the programmes provided are done so in partnership with other agencies in Cheshire as well as the city of Chester. One service that is in high demand is free food, and the Harold Tomlins Centre is a signatory partner of the local food bank. They also partner with CATH on homeless prevention services for vulnerable families. Many other services are run from the Day Centre, even including computer courses as well as medical care.

Mediation and dispute resolution is provided by some of the eight full time staff members at the Harold Tomlins Centre. The service will cover many topics in an effort to find a solution to a hardship.

Some tenants can have an eviction prevented using mediation. The process can involve finding some type of payment plan for rent arrears that may be due. Or the mediation may allow the landlord and tenant to find some other way to either keep the family in the home, or resettle them into another flat.

Mediation can help those individuals that have had their benefits sanctioned, or that are applying for welfare or other government schemes. The application process to access many programmes in Cheshire can be complicated. Councils will often reject a request for help. The mediation process at Harold Tomlins Centre can resolve any disputes over this process.

Also, when it comes to fuel bill arrears, most charities or even councils in Cheshire want to person to enter into a payment plan before any financial aid is provided. The mediator can help negotiate with energy providers on this process or offer free advice to the client on any other number of programmes for helping with utility bills.

The Harold Tomlins Centre Accommodation Project does one of two things. The agency may match prospective tenants with landlords (and help them apply for deposit schemes) or they may help people move into temporary accommodations. There are centre in Chester that are available for families on a low income and that are threatened with homelessness.

The full time team work with landlords in the private rented sector to place people into a home. Or they may mediate some form of resolution to any housing problems that the person is facing as part of the counselling services. They also offer a guide to families looking to rent a property, and that is part of the Finding a Place scheme.

Practical support including food and meals are part of the Drop-in Day Services. Anyone who wants to use the programmes run by Harold Tomlins Centre will be given refreshments or a meal. This occurs every day. But other service are also available at the drop in centre.

There is a free clothing store at the location. A Medical suite will also have a GP available to check up on the client. There are also nurses who visit the centre too.

Free use of computers are available at the Harold Tomlins Learning and Resource Centre. They serve as an internet point for people looking to apply for benefits or maybe create a CV. The PCs can be used for a wide range of uses, and there are no restrictions.

A Food Bank is also available to clients of the centre. The organisation will refer people to the location, or given them a voucher to it. The Chester Food Bank at the Wesley Methodist Centre is the distribution point for these parcels. If a family has a voucher, then they can receive a box of food that may have up to 3 days worth of groceries in it.

The Harold Tomlins Centre drop in location has a post of 24 Grovesnor Street, Chester. The vulnerable can use the site from Monday to Friday, or call the charity at 01244 409158.