Community Office

There’s free computer use and Internet Access – even if you have never used a computer before we can help you get online, surf the net, send and receive emails and discover a whole new world of possibilities. Research your Family Tree (the Community Office keeps a stock of 1901 Census vouchers), find out more about your favourite programmes, music, gardening, antiques and collectables, sports and teams – in fact just about anything. We can show you how to look up old friends, use FREE directory enquiries, compare prices, book a holiday or plan a route. 

At the Community Office you will find information on events and exhibitions, courses and clubs, benefits and advice. We keep programmes, advice leaflets, application forms and if we haven’t got what you need we will try and get it for you. 

We offer competitively priced photocopying, faxing and laminating. Using the scanner, you can reproduce old photographs and print them onto photographic paper. You can even alter family snaps to get rid of flash “red eye”.

 If you are thinking of setting up in business we can put you in touch with Business Link and you can make use of their considerable resources. Trained Business Advisers run courses and seminars in a private room at the Community Office. Existing businesses can use the Community Office to find answers to a host of queries from taking on an employee, through export / import regulations to information on rules, regulations and requirements. Your questions will be passed to Business Link’s Information Centre and the specialists there will deal professionally with all aspects of your question. You can use the computers to produce business stationery, write letters, produce invoices or compile accounts. You can even file your Inland Revenue Tax Return online from the office. 

If you are looking for work, come into the office and check out our Local Jobs wall – Malton Job Centre send us new vacancies on a regular basis. And you can do a Job Search online through their website or we can show you how to find vacancies on a variety of sites covering jobs in local government, for the County Council and other organisations. Use the computers to produce a professional-looking CV to give yourself the best possible chance. The Community Office staff is happy to help with layout and can show you how to make use of the “spell check” and thesaurus options on the computers. A minimal 5p a sheet is charged for printing out. If you want a change of direction, you can use our Adult Careers Guidance programme – don’t worry if you are not very familiar with computers, it’s a very straightforward programme and office staff can guide you through it. 

On Wednesdays from 8:30am to 3:30pm and Thursdays from 3pm to 8pm the Ryedale Council Area Office is open within the Community Office. You can pay bills or fines, get advice, apply for Housing or Council Tax Benefit, purchase parking Discs or Smartcards, buy refuse bags or pooper scoopers, apply for a bus pass or arrange bulky waste collections.

 Other groups use the private interview room at the Community Office – for example you can make an appointment with a Relate counsellor or with Careers Guidance. We are hoping shortly to be able to have Citizens Advice Bureau, Pensions and other advice sessions. If you have any suggestions for other services you’d like to see available from the Community Office – please let us know.