Money advice service available in County Durham

Struggling with debt? Support is now available in three County Durham communities thanks to a believe housing grant.

A money advice service will be able to help more people who are struggling with debt after securing funds to extend its face-to-face support.

Housing association believe housing has awarded a £10,000 community investment grant to Durham Christian Partnership to expand its Community Money Advice service.

The charity, which offers a variety of support to those in need, will hold regular sessions in West Auckland, Willington and Bishop Auckland to help people get on top of their financial issues.

Its debt advisers, who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, will provide confidential advice on income maximisation, budgeting and debt resolution.

Volunteer ‘Budget Buddies’ will also receive the training and supervision they need to offer low-level money advice, in the three communities, and ongoing support to people after they have reached a debt resolution.

Clare Whiston, Financial Capability Coordinator with Community Money Advice County Durham, said: “We can ease the stress people are feeling by checking their debts, contacting creditors, preparing a resolution for agreement, and then completing the process for them.

“This funding will help us reach an additional 35 people, many of whom could be believe housing customers, and encourage anyone concerned about their finances to turn to us.”

Sessions will be held at:

• Willington Open Door Methodist Church, Wesley St, Willington, DL15 0AG, on Fridays, from 10am to noon.
• The Well, 46 East Green, West Auckland, DL14 9HJ, on Wednesdays, 10am to noon.
• Bishop Auckland – venue and time coming soon.

For an appointment during one of these sessions get in touch with Community Money Advice County Durham by emailing office@moneyadvicedurham.org.uk or calling 0191 3037514 and leaving a message.

Joanne Norman, a Community Investment Coordinator at believe housing, said: “We know many people are struggling to make ends meet and the impact this can have on their overall wellbeing.

“We encourage any customer who is worried about their finances to talk to us about the range of support services we can offer, including money and employability support.

“By awarding this grant to the Durham Christian Partnership to extend its Community Money Advice service we hope more people will be able to access the support they need, in their community, to address their money issues.

“The Partnership will also help us to better understand issues relating to the cost-of-living crisis and how it is affecting people, so we can continue to tailor our support to help customers and communities.”

If you know a not-for-profit organisation in County Durham that needs funding, find more details of believe housing’s Community Investment grants here.