Funding Boost Helps More in Financial Crisis
08 April 2010
DAWN Advice Citizens Advice Bureau is expanding its debt advice service to meet increased demand as a result of the recession.
Three new specialist telephone debt advisers have joined the existing team of 27 expert debt advisers at the bureau as part of an integrated new regional CAB debt advice service launched last week.
It means an extra 8,000 people across Cumbria and the North East will be able to get the free, independent, specialist money advice they need. Northumberland's new debt adviser is expected to take on an additional 550 cases a year.
The new service is being set up with £1.5 million from the Northern Rock Foundation to fund face-to-face and telephone debt advice for people in facing financial crisis. The extra money will fund three full-time telephone debt caseworkers and 12 full-time face-to-face debt caseworkers for two years.
Liz Chadwick, Chief Executive of DAWN Advice, said: "The recession has had a big impact in our area and we have seen a sharp increase in demand for advice on debt and other related issues as a result. This much-needed funding boost will help us to reach more people across the North East and Cumbria who are struggling, to make sure they receive the practical and personalised advice they need."
Set up in 1998, DAWN Advice is a Northumberland-based social enterprise and a member of the UK's largest network of free, advice-providing organisations, adviceuk and will now become a Member of the National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureau. It offers advice and information on a number of issues including debt, housing, employment, welfare benefits and family law.
Anyone living in the North East and Cumbria who is concerned about their finances should contact the debt advice service on 0300 33 33 44 5. Lines are open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.