ONE Stop Shops to help people with citizen’s advice issues have become a victim of their own success.

The community outreach project, funded by the South Area Council, sees advisors from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau make themselves available for drop-in appointments at libraries and centres across Wombwell, Darfield, Hoyland, Elsecar and Rockingham.

South Area Council manager Lisa Lyon said the project has seen a continued increase in users since it started and for the period of July to September this year, was 40 per cent above its targets.

But due to the complex nature of some of the problems people are bringing to the advisors, they are struggling to see everyone who wants to meet with them during the sessions.

Lisa said: “It has been suggested that library staff could limit the number of people waiting for an appointment to four, and if there are more than that provide a leaflet with extra support. It would not be ideal but we don’t want people to keep waiting and not be seen.

“Another suggestion is appointments or details about extra telephone support.”

South Area Council chairman Coun Mick Stowe said: “We can ensure the representative highlights other options and people they could speak to who could support them. But the beauty of the project is the allure of face to face appointments.”

Lisa confirmed the plan was to offer appointments to those kept waiting to be seen first at the next available drop-in session.

The advisors have helped users gain £157,905 in benefits and manage nearly £300,000 in debt.