While charities all over London have been responding to the challenges of Coronavirus and the lockdown, we’re really pleased to announce a new investment of £4.8m from the Money & Pensions Service in sustaining and enhancing advice for 24,000 people with debt and money worries across the capital over the next 12 months.
Across the Debt Free Advice Partnership, made up of 21 advice charities working together, more than 100 Debt Advisors will be on hand to help support Londoners who are struggling to make ends meet – with enhanced support available from today.
Each year, over 1.3 million adults in the capital struggle with money, and many more will face uncertainty as the wider impact of COVID-19 looms. The Debt Free Advice Partnership has worked to rapidly transform its face-to-face services and have launched a new digital offer, providing support by phone, WhatsApp and web chat.
Londoners can call or WhatsApp an Advisor for free on 0808 164 2480, alternatively they can visit debtfreeadvice.com to take advantage of the web chat facility - we are still here to provide vital support to Londoners at a time when so many are struggling.
Despite a number of measures that have been introduced to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19, we know that those who were already struggled with money will be especially hard-hit. Since 2006, our partnership has helped over 250,000 Londoners. We will be here in the coming weeks and months ahead, to support those who need us most.
As our communities come together at this time, we're all reminded that we're stronger when we work together.
Notes to editors:
- Debt Free Advice is a free advice service helping over 24,000 Londoners with their debt and money worries each year. The service is led by Toynbee Hall, a charity creating a fairer and happier society since 1884, and funded by the Money & Pensions Service.
- There are 21 advice charities funded to provide free advice under the Debt Free Advice partnership; Barking & Dagenham Citizens Advice, Brent Citizens Advice, Brixton Advice Centre, Bromley Citizens Advice, Centre 70, Fair Money Advice, Hammersmith & Fulham Citizens Advice, Hillingdon Citizens Advice, Kensington Citizens Advice, Lewisham Citizens Advice, Mary Ward Legal Centre, Meridian Money Advice, Nucleus Legal Centre, RCJ / Islington Citizens Advice, Richmond Citizens Advice, South West Law Centre, Southwark Citizens Advice, Sutton Citizens Advice, Waltham Forest Citizens Advice, Westminster Citizens Advice.