Army tackles money worries

The Salvation Army is fearlessly fighting the credit crunch with the launch of Failsworth’s first debt counselling service.

Debt Matters has been set up by husband and wife team Captains Stephen and Lynley Oliver to help local people ease their financial worries.

A team of eight volunteers have been trained to help individuals and families and while not offering financial advice as such, will be able to offer a free face-to-face confidential chat and point people to other agencies.

Stephen and Lynley and their volunteers have undergone a training programme administered by Stewardship Money — a specialist Christian charity which focuses on helping to equip people to tackle debt.

A confidential Debt Matters hotline has been set up on 0161-870 1127 along with an email address (debtmatters.fail sworthsa@gmail.com) where people with money worries can also make contact. People can also pop into the Failsworth Corps in Oldham Road.

Lynley said: “In the short time that we have been offering the service we have already come across people who have two or three jobs just to make ends meet.”

Stephen said they also help people maximise their income to meet their financial obligations by highlighting benefits that they may be able to claim.

“We must stress that we do not offer legal advice or financial advice but can suggest ways to help people while offering that all important sympathetic and understanding ear.

The Failsworth Corps is also exploring a partnership with The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus unit where job advisers will drop by on certain days.

For more details log on to www.salvationarmy.org.uk/failsworth