Latest News
29th July 2009
Residents get wise about money
Residents of the Glebe Green Estate are given advice from benefits advisors and illegal money lending representatives to bite back at loan sharks targeting Cheshire residents.
Muir Group Housing Association teamed up with, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union and the North West Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team to hold the first Money Wise event aimed at pushing out illegal money lenders and loan sharks who prey on Cheshire residents.
Tenants were offered information about ethical and affordable ways to save and borrow money, whilst every household on the Glebe Green estate, at Winsford, was given a £10 voucher by Muir Group to open a Christmas savings account with the Credit Union.
Furniture Finders of Winsford, which collects unwanted household furniture and electrical appliances for redistribution at affordable prices, was at the event. There was also the opportunity for residents to sign up to training courses to help them back into work.
Youngsters were entertained with a variety of fun activities and entertainment, including a 20ft high inflatable shark and face painting.
Muir Group has been working closely with the police, local Trading Standards and the Illegal Money Lending Team to help families affected by loan sharks.
“The event proved a great success. It is vital that residents are given the opportunity to find out essential information on money lending and benefits advice, and do not feel they have no alternative but to resort to illegal money lending.
“Many people are facing real money worries and this is exploited by unscrupulous money lenders,” explained David Hull, Muir Group’s Regional Manager for the North.
“We know that families in Winsford have fallen foul of these criminals so we want to give our tenants a safe and cheaper way to manage their finances,” he added.
Muir Group Housing Association is working with Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union, to offer a legal, ethical, safe and affordable way to save and borrow money on the Glebe Green Estate.
Representatives of the Illegal Money Lending Team (a specialist team set up to investigate and prosecute illegal lending and related criminal activity) and welfare benefits advisers from both Cheshire West and Chester Council and Muir Group were also on hand to offer tenants help and advice.
Millie Ridley, who advises Muir Group residents on benefits, added: “We are finding that people are not always aware of the different benefits they can access. It is important that people get professional and impartial advice and do not resort to illegal means of money lending. This event gave residents an opportunity to meet benefits advisors face-to-face and discuss what benefits they are entitled to.”
To report a loan shark either call the 24/7 confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222, text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003, email
reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk, or log-on to
www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
