IN PICTURES: Free new drop-in hub to connect Peterborough people with the help they need

The Citizen Hub, which has been named The BRDG, is based at 61 Bridge Street.

It is a free drop-in hub that will be open from Mondays to Fridays between 9am and 4pm and will have two members of staff who will also be supported by representatives from a range of other services.

These will include employment advice, help for people looking to learn new skills, specialists help for people with health worries and community support.

Anyone, including families, can just walk in to seek advice.

Katy Davies, managing director, said: “Anyone can pop in and we will ensure that person does not leave without some support having been provided.

She said staff in the hub would liaise with representatives of other services to source advice and to make follow-on appointments.

She said: “We would not expect anyone who comes to the hub for help to then be sent around the city either to make their own appointments or to seek help.”

The hub has been created by the national Citizen Hub Network and the Peterborough outlet is the third to open.

Alex Hughes, founder of the Citizen Hub Network, said: “Peterborough isn’t short of support.

"But too much of what people need sits in separate buildings, behind separate forms and you have to already know where to look.

"Citizen Hub puts it in one place. and asks people what they need before anyone decides for them.”

The BRDG will officially open to the public on November 9.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “The work the hub will do alongside the college, the council, the Jobcentre plus many other services means we have one venue in the city centre that people know they can come to get the advice and support they need.”

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority mayor Paul Bristow said: “This will help young people on their journey around some of the challenges associated with not being in employment, education or training and will give real personal support to those people.”

Labour Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “We have a real issue of connectivity between organisations and this hub will bridge those gaps.”