Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre

Contact us
Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre
17 Market Street
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4QS
Tel: (017683) 71325
Fax: 017683 71325
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Community and Council Centre is located above the Library on Market Street. Enter either via the Library when the latter is open or alternatively via our own entrance on Church Walk.

Opening hours:
Monday            10.00 - 12.30
Tuesday           10.00 - 12.30
Wednesday      10.00 - 12.30 and 13.30 - 16.00
Thursday          Closed
Friday              10.00 - 12.30 and 13.30 - 15.30

If you find access to the Centre difficult because of our stairs/steps, you may make an appointment to see us in a ground floor room which is private and has wheelchair access.

We have the use of a portable induction loop if required.

What do we do?

The Centre

• provides access to information and services from the three tiers of local government - Town, District and County Councils
• For further information about Eden District Council and its services - http://www.eden.gov.uk
• For further information about Cumbria County Council and its services - http://www.cumbria.gov.uk
• has a range of information about services, benefits and entitlements for pensioners and can assist with obtaining advice from the Pension Service   
• hosts regular drop in surgeries for the local MP the Rt Hon David Maclean
• displays current information on local employment and training opportunities and provides free access to the Jobcentre Plus website (assistance given if required)     
• is working in partnership with Penrith Jobcentre Plus to provide advice and guidance including advice on job search and other employment related matters and assistance with CVs and job applications
• provides a range of Community Legal Advice information leaflets and free telephone and internet access to Community Legal  Advice
• has an Information Point about Citizens Advice services, provides a free postal advice service, and offers free access to Advice Guide, the Citizens Advice Bureau's online information system    
• provides information and assistance with regard to a range of social security benefits    
• supplies information about the availability of local social and private housing and Eden Housing Association application forms and can direct the public to local sources of housing advice    
• has an extensive range of health-related literature and leaflets and can access further information on the internet    
• holds information about local adult education and training opportunities and current prospectuses of local adult education establishments
• hosts adult education classes in Maths, English and IT    
• has comprehensive local public transport information and timetables available    
• maintains up-to-date information about the services of local voluntary agencies including Eden Carers, Age Concern, Alzheimer's Society, Eden Community Alarms, Cumbria CVS and Action with Communities in Cumbria
• provides information about local opportunities for voluntary work, particularly through Eden Time Bank
• provides information about sources of funding for individuals, organisations and charities    
• collates and produces listings of Community Groups in Kirkby Stephen and the Upper Eden Valley    
• provides support and is a contact point for the Town Forum, a group of local business people and residents
• can provide signposting to sources of help, information and advice about starting/running a business    
• maintains this website, www.kirkby-stephen.com, which contains information on local services, community groups and activities, events, tourist attractions, history and accommodation    
• provides support for other community projects and events such as the Charter Fair, Kirkby Stephen in Bloom, the Garden Trail, Christmas events and Voluntary and Community Sector Week. 
• produces and delivers a quarterly community newsletter, ‘Community News’
• provides computer and internet access to members of the public for a small charge (concessionary rates available)

The above list is not exhaustive as the Centre is prepared to assist any member of the public with any enquiry insofar as its means allow.

User Groups

The Centre is available for hire by Community Groups.

It is currently used as a venue for meetings, seminars, displays and courses by a wide range of Community Groups including Eden Time Bank, Eden Carers, United Charities, East Cumbria Family Support Association, Kirkby Stephen Town Forum, Eden Youth Work Partnership, the Eastside Project, the Extreme Sports Association and the Play Area for Kirkby Stephen group.

Kirkby Stephen Town Council also holds its regular monthly Meetings at the Centre and other Town Council groups also use the venue for occasional meetings.