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The contact centre staff helping Preston through the cost of living crisis

Posted on - 17th December, 2022 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Health, Preston City Centre, Preston Council, Preston News
Preston City Council Contact Centre team member
Preston City Council Contact Centre team member

Preston City Council’s Contact Centre is supporting residents through the cost of living crisis. 

Located on the ground floor of the Town Hall in Lancaster Road, the Contact Centre’s 22 customer service advisors offer a range of help that may support residents, depending on their individual circumstances. They are also able to signpost other services that can provide help with more specific issues. 

Since April, the advisors have answered 48,000 calls and are keen to help and support people during this difficult time either during a phone call or by seeing someone in person at the One Stop Shop – a combination of advice available from the contact centre reception at the Town Hall and telephone advisors. 

Karen Price, Customer Services Manager, said: “Working in the Contact Centre, we are only too aware of the problems people can face as the cost of living crisis continues. 

“We want to be able to help people as much as we can by letting them know the help and support that is available. At the moment for instance, residents are applying for the Household Support Fund and can be eligible for Aldi vouchers to help with the rising cost of food. The fund can also help residents with clothing, gas, electricity, water and household essentials.” 

Read more: New Preston ‘warm bank’ to help people in need this winter

The Contact Centre’s One Stop Shop provides self-service facilities with computers having easy access to sites including Help in Preston, which has a host of useful information, while free phones are also available for contacting important internal services. The Council’s long-serving reception staff have a wealth of knowledge and are always happy to help.

Contact Centre staff are continuing to work closely with the other departments in the Council such as debt advice, welfare benefits and housing advice, and continue to signpost people to services that may be able to offer support such as the Cosy Homes in Lancashire initiative.

Read more: George’s Kitchen launches in Preston City Centre offering free hot meals

Aiming to be accessible to all, Preston City Council has signed up to the Signlive service where residents from the deaf community can contact services live via a British Sign Language interpreter free of charge.  

By using an app on a smartphone or tablet, users can register for an account then find the Council easily in the community directory.  The deaf community can also visit the Town Hall where face-to-face interpretation can be provided.

The Call Centre phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm (general enquiries open from 9am).

Reception is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.  

Helpful links: 

More information can also be found on the Preston City Council website.

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