NORTH Ayrshire Citizens Advice Service (NACAS) will officially open its new Saltcoats office on Tuesday, May 31.

The charity, located at the former council building on Vernon Street, will offer North Ayrshire residents free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a full and comprehensive range of services.

The past 12 months has seen the organisation go from strength to strength.

But after a very difficult and challenging decision by the Board of Directors to restructure the service and close several bureau based on a reduction in funding, NACAS has repositioned itself to be a key player within North Ayrshire.

It is armed with a new organisational structure, new services, new outreach locations and plenty of room for expansion and further diversification.

Nina Smith, NACAS Chief Executive, said: “Our new office marks the next stage in our development and we look forward to continuing our growth at an even faster rate from our new base, ensuring the needs of the community are the focus of all we do.”

Delivered by the organisations new outreach and support officer, NACAS now has an even bigger footprint than ever before in North Ayrshire with outreach locations based in Arran, Beith, Dalry, Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilbirnie, Largs and Millport.

The outreach services will operate under a drop-in service where no appointment is necessary and will offer full and comprehensive advice. A full list of all locations, opening hours and contact details can be found on the NACAS website.

Furthermore, 2016 will see new services being introduced including HMRC advice and assistance on matters of PAYE, claims for special relief and appeals, tax returns and other complex HMRC enquiries.

The service will also aim to provide one-to-one support for HMRC customers experiencing difficulties in accessing HMRC services through digital exclusion.

This is in addition to continuation of NACAS’s Employability Service, delivering advice on financial capability, debt management and income maximisation, Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) and the government backed Pension Wise service, which helps individuals understand the options for their pension pot.

NACAS is primarily run by volunteers and there are a number of opportunities for passionate and enthusiastic people to become involved with volunteering roles within NACAS, including telephone advisers, face-to-face advisers, administration assistants, fundraisers and trustees for the Board of Directors.

Full training will be given in all cases.

Further information and details of how to apply can be found on the website at www.nacasadvice.org.uk.

The new office at 17 Vernon Street, Saltcoats, will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. For more information, please visit the website or call 01294 467848.