Gateway Digest

Credit Unions are small non-profit organisations set-up to benefit the local community, where members collect their savings together to lend to each other and help to run the Credit Union. They aim to help you take control of your money by encouraging you to save what you can, and borrow only what you can afford to repay. Credit Unions are able to offer small loans, savings/bank accounts and pre-paid cards.

There are two Credit Unions that run in St Helens:

• St Helens Credit Union, based on Junction Lane (WA9 3JN). Tel: 01744 818 896, Email: [email protected]
• Partners Credit Union, based in Tontine House (WA10 1BD – open Mon, Thu and Fri). Tel: 0151 258 1014, Email: [email protected]

St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau, located on the second floor of the Millennium Centre, provides confidential, independent and free advice on a whole range of topics including debt, benefits, housing, employment, consumerism, travel, education, health and taxes. There is also help available online through the CAB’s adviceguide website.

They operate a drop-in session between 10am and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Millennium Centre. Alternatively, you can ring for advice or an appointment outside these hours by calling 0844 826 9694* (*If the enquiry is relating to debt or benefits please contact 01744 737 866 instead of the main number). Phone lines are open between 9am and 5pm Mondays to Thursdays and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.

CAB also runs outreach venues at Sutton Academy (WA9 5AU) on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm and also at Crownway Community Centre (WA12 9DA) on Fridays from 10am to 1pm. This is a drop-in service and so no appointment is necessary.

Christians Against Poverty is a national debt counselling charity with a network of 160 centres based in local churches, offering hope and a solution to anyone in debt (not just Christians). They can work with you to identify steps to overcome debt problems, money-management courses and self-help options. CAP is based at the Christian Life Centre (WA10 2DT) and Billinge Family Church (WN5 7DT), and appointments can be made by calling 0800 328 0006.

Citizens Advice Bureau can also offer confidential, independent and free advice around debt. They hold a number of drop-in sessions at the Millennium Centre and outreach venues at Sutton Academy (WA9 5AU) and Crownway Community Centre (WA12 9DA). Call 01744 737 866 for further information or to make an appointment.

Age UK also have a Money Advice Service for older people who are experiencing debt issues.

MoneyART deliver creative money management courses through the arts to enable people of all ages to manage their money with confidence. They deliver their courses in a variety of locations across St Helens – visit their website for further details.

There is also a national NHS Credit Crunch stress-line (0300 123 2000) available to help people with problems created by the recession.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is about supporting men, particularly those aged 15-35. It’s about giving you a break, a way of getting things off your chest and sorting your head out. If you’re going through a tough time and live on Merseyside then they could help you get back to enjoying your life. They provide a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and a website full of information, blogs and stories on issues relating to depression and suicide.

The current economic climate has brought about significant increases in the cost of living expenses – if you are looking for help and support around budgeting or managing your money, the following organisations might be able to help:

• The Money Advice Service is an independent organisation that provides clear and unbiased money advice to help people make informed choices about their finances. Their website contains useful reports, tools and planners to help you manage your money and the service also has a dedicated helpline available on 0300 500 5000.
• MoneyART deliver creative money management courses through the arts to enable people of all ages to manage their money with confidence. They deliver their courses in a variety of locations across St Helens – visit their website for further details.
• Local Credit Unions can provide informal information and support around money management
• NHS Credit Crunch stress-line (0300 123 2000) is available to help people with problems created by the recession

If you are looking for information and support with debt, please click here to view a list of organisations who can help.

DirectGov run an online Benefits Adviser service to obtain information about benefits for you or for someone else. The service is useful to check which benefits you may be entitled to, and to gain an estimate of benefits, tax credits or pension that may be available. There are also a number of helplines available for further support including:

• Jobseekers allowance: 0800 055 6688
• Tax credits: 0345 300 3909
• Child benefit: 0845 3021 444
• Benefits for disabled people/Carers: 0800 882 200

St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau can help you claim your full benefits entitlement by checking that you are receiving all the benefits to which you may be entitled to, completing forms for you and helping you with reviews/appeals. They also have a number of fact sheets that provide simple answers on a range of benefits.

The Family Information Service can provide you with information about financial help related to families – for example if you are a parent with a pre-school or school aged child, expecting a baby, a lone parent, a student, a teenage parent or caring for a sick/disabled child.

Please also see the frequently asked questions below relating to benefits for people with a disability and benefits for older people.