Housing Executive tenants in Derry are being offered a new free, impartial and confidential advice service through Citizens Advice.
As part of the new debt awareness service the Housing Executive is encouraging tenants to contact Citizens Advice for money management help and advice so that back to school won’t cost the earth.
As the summer rolls on to that ‘Back to School’ time, the cost of school uniforms comes to the fore.
Last year a survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions found that parents of primary school children on average spent £96 per child, while parents of secondary school children spent £180.
Housing Executive Area Manager, Avril McAllister, said: “Over the years, thousands of our tenants have had a weight lifted from their shoulders by asking for help with their debt. We are delighted to be working with Citizens Advice so we can continue to help even more.”
“The Housing Executive is calling on any of our tenants who feel they have money worries not to turn to moneylenders or suffer in silence but to call the Freephone number 0800 028 1881, it could make all the difference. No matter how large or how small the money worry is, it’s important to access this free advice as soon as possible.”
Kathy McKenna, Citizens Advice Debt Advice Service Manager said: “Citizens Advice is here to help people find a way forward with their problems. Every year, we help thousands of people with money and debt problems, but we know that many more cannot get the help they need. We are delighted to be teaming up with the Housing Executive to promote our Debt Advice Service to their tenants.
“We understand that ‘Back to School’ time can be difficult for parents who are often already under financial strain. We would urge anyone who is having money worries or difficulties to contact the service for free, impartial and confidential advice.”
The Citizens Advice free advice service is available by Freephone on 0800 028 1881, email debt.advice@citizensadvice.co.uk, face-to-face at one of the 29 Citizens Advice offices across Northern Ireland or via webchat at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/nireland/Debt-and-money/.
Pictured above - the Housing Executive's Head of Income and Communities, Jennifer Hawthorne, and Citizens Advice's Debt Advice Service Manager, Kathy McKenna, encourage tenants to call the freephone debt line.
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