Monday, 28 March 2022 09:14

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council.

Face-to-face customer support with council services is set to be available once again from this week, when Access Oldham reopens to the public.

Access Oldham, which reopens on Tuesday (29 March), will be open weekdays from 9am–5pm and will offer support with topics such as Council Tax, housing benefit, wellbeing and financial issues, and blue badge applications.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: "Delivering high-quality services that our residents need and deserve is absolutely vital, and has been the top priority for me since becoming Leader.

"That's why I'm really pleased that we are able to reopen Access Oldham and offer face to face customer support once again. This is particularly important in these very difficult times, when we know so many people are struggling with the cost of living and may need friendly, confidential and practical advice in accessing the help they're entitled to.

"While I know many people are able to access customer services online or over the phone, what people have told me on the doorsteps and through the Big Oldham Conversation is that they wanted the Council's face-to-face support offer to return, particularly for those more difficult enquiries and people in the most vulnerable of circumstances. I'm pleased to have been able to deliver on my promise and reopen Access Oldham to ensure all our residents can access the help and support they need."

Access Oldham was closed during the pandemic under government restrictions. Since then, residents have been able to access help over the phone or online, as well as via computers and free phones at Oldham Library.

Located in its previous spot at the Civic Centre, Access Oldham will have the following facilities available for residents to use:

Free computers and public Wi-Fi
Free internet access to council services and online forms with digital assistance
Free telephone access to some council services
Meeting rooms for pre-arranged appointments and drop-ins as required

All other council services are available online at www.oldham.gov.uk with many being accessible through the council’s My Account function. More information on this can be found at www.oldham.gov.uk/myaccount

For more information on Access Oldham and other ways residents can receive support, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/accessoldham