Welcome to our very busy debt department.
We have two part-time volunteer caseworkers, John Hinde, who managed a number of small and medium sized businesses over many years and is also our Treasurer, and John Lynam, who works part time for other Wirral agencies including Age Concern and WIRED. Their administration support is Gillian Jones.
Our role is to advise and support people and their carers who, for what ever reason, find themselves in debt. We know that being in debt and constantly receiving telephone calls demanding money is very stressful and adds to our clients’ mental health problems. We give advice on handling these telephone calls, and our intervention may stop them altogether.
We deal with cases ranging from one single debt through to representation at Bankruptcy. We also liaise with the creditors and make arrangements for debt repayments that our clients can afford. When doing this we always work in the best interests of our clients. When we have negotiated the re-payments, we encourage our clients to keep to the budget that we have agreed, to enable them to become self sufficient, although we are always just a telephone call away if they need help.
We have clients who have been with us for two years or more, and others who are just passing through. We welcome people from all areas of Wirral, whether they are in employment or in receipt of benefits, people who are service users or who have been recommended to contact us by a friend or member of their family.
We are hoping that we will soon be in a position to secure a full-time caseworker and admin support as our cases are increasing rapidly.
The important thing to remember if you do find yourself in debt is DON’T PANIC and SEEK HELP AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. The debts will not go away by themselves but with the correct advice can be dealt with, thereby reducing the worry, stress and anxiety that you may be experiencing.
A further bit of advice we offer, is DO NOT BORROW MONEY TO PAY OFF AN EXISTING DEBT. This, this will only make the problem worse as you will just be burdening yourself with yet another debt.
We will soon be updating this site, and hope to give you some tips and hints on how to avoid debts.
