Invercargill’s Jubilee Budget service has moved to new premises to accommodate a boom in staffing, from two workers in 2002 to 16 employees this year.

From March 25, the staff have been working at 23a Forth Street.

Service manager Sharon Soper said just two staff were employed when the charitable not-for-profit service opened its doors at 72 Don Street in May 2002.

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“We now have 15 staff and one staff member working from our office co-ordinating Jubilee SuperGrans,” she said.

During 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, more Southland people had sought budgeting advice, education and information, she said.

“We have helped people that have been made redundant, had reduced hours of employment, have had increased debt and accounts that have needed either a debt repayment plan, money management or insolvency. We have been able to help with food assistance, wood, vouchers etc,” Mrs Soper said. 

“Due to the increased demand on the service, we have employed extra staff and needed the extra office space. 

“We now have enough space to hold education workshops and training on our premises and have set up Jubilee Supergrans, which is a service that will teach life skills, for example cooking classes, menu planning, gardening skills. SuperGrans workshops will also be housed at our premises at 23A Forth Street.

“We are really excited about this new move for Jubilee and look forward to getting Jubilee Supergrans underway and education in our new space,” Mrs Soper said.  

An open day is being planned in the near future, with the date to be advised.