Buckinghamshire Financial Insecurity partnership launched to help those with money problems
The last 18 months have put a strain on everybody in different ways – some physically, some emotionally, and for some, financially. With the Covid-19 pandemic causing a lot of people to be furloughed or left out of work entirely, money worries have become a prevalent issue across the country.
Whether you’re struggling to pay your heating bills, finding yourself at risk of homelessness or just need some additional support in a crisis, the Buckinghamshire Financial Insecurity Partnership has been set up to not only help with making ends meet today, but also with a long-term solution to help you get back on track.
Working with several organisations, both in the county and nationally, the Partnership includes Buckinghamshire Council, Citizens Advice Bucks, Department for Work & Pensions, Bucks Skills Hub, Housing Associations, Christians Against Poverty, Oasis Partnership, Bucks Business First, Food Support organisations, mental health and wellbeing organisations and many others.
Focusing on the Wycombe area initially, a significant amount of work has been carried out with local organisations to provide residents with a front door for advice and support, raising awareness of the amount of help available to them. This approach is now being rolled out to Chesham and Aylesbury and then the rest of the county.
If you’re interested in the help available to you and would like to find out more, why not attend our first #backontrack event, hosted by Red Kite Community Housing? The free, online event takes place on Thursday 2nd December from 10am-2pm and is available to anybody living in Buckinghamshire who is worried about money and looking for guidance – you don’t have to be a Red Kite tenant.
There will be plenty of support and information provided on the day from a variety of speakers, including the Helping Hand service who can provide support with household costs, Trading Standards, who will be talking about scam awareness and protecting your finances, Step Change who will be discussing coping with debt, money saving coaches and many more.
For more information about the event, to view the full schedule of speakers and to secure your space, visit Back on Track virtual event – Red Kite Community Housing (redkitehousing.org.uk). For those unable to make the event, a link will be made available on this page after the event. The first 20 signups will win a £20 Amazon voucher, so be quick!
The Hill’s Café in High Wycombe are also running weekly drop-in sessions for those seeking support. These will take place every Monday until 20th December, between 11am – 1pm.
Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“As a result of the pandemic, we know that many people may have found themselves suddenly struggling when it comes to making ends meet. The Buckinghamshire Financial Insecurity Partnership is a useful source of information to help people get back on track. If you are worried about finances, or know somebody who is, I would urge you to have a look online or speak to the Helping Hand service who can help you to get the right support. Remember, you don’t have to face these struggles alone.”
To get help and advice today or find out more about the Financial Insecurity Partnership, visit https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/backontrack