Drop-in sessions have been held over the past week for staff who were made redundant on payday as Lowestoft-based Access Community Trust (ACT) ceased trading with immediate effect.

The Access Community Trust logo. Image: Access Community Trust (Image: Access Community Trust)

With the trust having helped thousands of people across Suffolk and Norfolk over the past half century, 96 staff were made redundant on Wednesday last week.

Vital community wellbeing hubs, cafés and support services across the region were all closed with emergency measures put into place.

Sam's Wellbeing Hub and Café in Lowestoft. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

East Suffolk Council is continuing to lead a multi-agency response that has seen accommodation provided for homeless and rough sleepers across the district, while displaced staff have attended drop-in sessions.

This week the council said this "ongoing support" is likely to continue "in the coming weeks and possibly months."

The charity had provided 87 bed spaces for those facing homelessness, as well as mental health and wellbeing support across the region.

New providers are now managing 75 of these bed spaces while the authority has found accommodation for the remaining 12 people.

Lowestoft Job Centre. Photo: Google Maps (Image: Archant)

More than 35 former staff members affected by the closure of the trust attended support days last Friday and this week at the East Suffolk Community Hub at Rishton House (the Job Centre) on Clapham Road in Lowestoft.

With the sessions focusing on "the wellbeing and immediate needs of the displaced staff," it saw various partner agencies attending as "a comprehensive range of assistance" was available.

An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "To streamline the process and maximise engagement, a triage form was developed, allowing staff to quickly outline their circumstances and access appropriate services."

Support agencies - including Citizens Advice Bureau, Lowestoft PCN health and wellbeing practitioners, staff from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the East Suffolk Council communities team, East Suffolk's housing team and Suffolk County Council's adult social care - all offered guidance and assistance as they supported people to apply for benefits, including Universal Credit, council tax reduction and housing support.

The authority said that they were able to provide food parcels and energy vouchers through local partners.

Several people spoke with the DWP about upcoming job opportunities and arranged follow‑up support.

The spokesman added: "During the day, we also joined by directors from East Suffolk Council, local councillors and the MP for Lowestoft, Jess Asato.

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato. Image: Jess Asato's office (Image: Jess Asato's office)

"A total of 33 staff members from Access attended the session."

The Hub reopened on Monday morning to support people who could not attend last Friday, and others who required follow‑up conversations.

Suffolk County Council said that since last week, teams across adult social care and children’s services have been "working directly on site with people and families" to help them, provide reassurance and ensure that appropriate support continues as alternative service provision is explored.

"To date, we have supported 38 former staff members," the East Suffolk Council spokesman added.

"We will continue to offer ongoing support in the coming weeks and possibly months.

"We remain present at various former ACT locations speaking with those who have been affected.

"It remains a difficult and complicated situation, however our priority is to ensure that support and information is provided to those who need it most of all."

Long-serving ACT CEO Emma Ratzer MBE resigned last month, with the board of trustees placed in charge.

Former CEO Emma Ratzer speaking at the special event last July that saw Access Community Trust mark 50 years of transformative community support. Image: Submitted (Image: Sunrise Studios)

But with the trust ceasing trading on February 25, FRP Advisory Trading Limited is now supporting ACT as the insolvency company acts on behalf of the board of trustees.

The council spokesman added: "We are disappointed that the trustees themselves are not engaging in any part of this process.

"Tensions are high and there is understandable frustration from service users who are often directing their anger to the only visible presence through this - the councillors and officers of East Suffolk Council who are all trying to find solutions.

"Part of any solutions we are seeking include the re-establishment of closed facilities."

The Olive Centre in Lowestoft. Picture: Access Community Trust (Image: Access Community Trust)

This includes a meeting today (Friday morning) with numerous groups and funding partners to "explore options about the key community-facing services" and to see "what interest there is in taking on responsibility for buildings/services."

© Eastern Daily Press