Directory of Debt Support Agencies - Gwent 2014

Directory of Debt Support Agencies - Gwent 2014

Introduction This directory is set up for practitioners within Gwent to help provide sign posting information who may wish to refer service users on to support organisations who offer advice on debt support and management. The directory covers support services in all 5 local authority and health board areas of Gwent, providing a base line indicator of services that can be offered. Icon Key Telephone Number Email Address Web site and support Telephone Helpline Online Tool kits Face to face advice online live chat available Workshops / Seminars

Over all View of Debt Service Providers Age Concern Cymru Are now situated within the Memory Clinic system and also are contacted by secondary mental health practitioners as part of the older person s discharge protocols. Age Cyrmu will support service users to increase their income through providing benefit welfare assistance, but will also offer general support and advice as well as low level financial advice such as budget planning and writing to creditors (ie energy suppliers etc) on behalf of service users. Any more pressing issues with debt such as IVA s, Debt Relief Orders or Bankruptcy will be referred to the Citizen s Advice Bureau in Newport. Face -Face contact by a support worker is offered within the memory clinic setting and also as a domiciliary service. These services can be arranged through the Age Concern Cymru. Basic on line information can be sourced via: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/money-matters/money-management/debt-advice/ Main contact: Tony Hussein (01633) 238310/11 office hours: Mon Fri 09.00-17.00 hrs hdsnewport@agecymrugwent.org Alzheimer Society The Alzheimer s society do not in themselves give advice about financial implications to the illness nor do they give debt advice. They will sign post to a regional C.A.B or to the Step Change Debt Charity Helpline. The society has developed a Dementia Friendly Banking Charter that will give service users and carer s advice on how to deal with banks and utility services. http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileid=1983 Main Contact Lesley Thomas (Locality Manager Gwent) (01495) 221459 Lesley.Thomas@alzheimers.org.uk Christians Against Poverty The CAP debt centre is run in partnership with two churches in the Gwent area; the Church on the Rise, Beaufort, Ebbw Vale and Hill City Church, Pontypool. It takes

practitioner and self referrals through the central 0800 328 0006 contact number. Once a service user has been referred, the centre manager and a support worker will arrange to visit the service user in their own home. The initial visit will allow CAP to understand the debt problem and to gather information including utility / housing bills and bank statements etc to pass on to a central caseworker in their main office in Bradford. The caseworker will review the debts and liaise with the creditors to work out a repayment plan for both primary and secondary debt. CAP will then return to the user with a draft budget and payment plan and arrange for a standing order to be set up from the service user for the monthly amount of debt repayment into an individual debt repayment account within CAP. CAP will then pay the service users' creditors on their behalf. CAP will also ensure that a small amount of additional money is available for service users in case of emergencies, and possibly savings for the future. Once a final budget plan has been agreed between CAP and the service user, a case worker and support worker will continually be available and contact them to check on their well being and ensure that they are managing financially until the end of their period of debt. Debt support offered includes: Debt Recovery Orders Debt Management Plans IVA s Bankruptcy The service is predominantly offered though regional church groups. Information about services in your area can be found in the regional directory. National contacts are: (0800) 328 0006 or (01274)761911 referrals@capuk.org https://www.capuk.org/ Citizen s Advice Bureau Citizen s Advice Bureaus have several projects running across the region each office has various levels of debt support services. For more information look at regional debt support functions.

Online debt advice and support can be accessed through the National Debt Line and there are links on the C.A.B pages to this service. All online debt advice will be sign posted to the National Debt Line (see below). http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/debt_w/debt_help_with_debt_e.htm Debt Support Trust Is a national debt charity providing debt advice and support for those struggling to manage debt. Service users initially talk to a trained volunteer or, if more complex, a qualified debt advisor to give more personal, tailored advice regarding: Refinance Debt Management Plans IVA s Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Money Saving Tips (0800) 085 0226 Monday-Friday 8am 7pm. (free) contact@debtsupporttrust.org.uk http://www.debtsupporttrust.org.uk/contact-us Debt Test & Money Manager Debt Advice Foundation Offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. Service users initially talk to a trained volunteer or, if more complex, a qualified debt advisor to give more personal, tailored advice regarding: Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans IVA s Debt Consolidation Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Money Saving Tips

(0800) 043 4050 Monday-Friday 8am 8pm, Saturday 9am 5pm. (free) http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org Debt Remedy Tool Disability CanDo Commencing in May 2014, the Disability Can Do Organisation will be hosted on a part time basis by Caerphilly Borough Mind, Ystrad Mynach in the delivery of a Welfare Support Service for disabled adults and their carers. This service will work with eligible low level mental health clients to give support with the welfare benefits system. For more complex issues, including debt management plans, debt relief orders etc; both organisations would sign post the service user on to Caerphilly Citizens Advice Bureau. Low level welfare benefits support by appointment (01495) 233555 (for appointments) support@disabilitycando.org.uk Please note: These contact details will not be operating until 6 th May 2014. GOFAL Cyrmu Provide a wide range of support for those with a mental health illness supporting the right to a range of appropriate and accessible services, information, and choice. The charity run a wide range of debt, housing and tenancy support services across Gwent working through community mental health teams and support providers such as Supporting People. All GOFAL case workers are CSSIW registered and have undergone debt and budget support training. Case workers can deal with low level debt issues including:

For more complex debt concerns and issues, services users are sign posted to the nearest C.A.B office with a debt support facility. Contact: Louise Evans Regional Manager (01495) 245802 (option 2) louiseevans@gofal.org.uk HAFAL Support workers currently do not have any training on debt and financial support so will sign post to C.A.B. Mind Cymru All branches of Mind (Gwent) will provide service users referred to them with low level financial and debt support advice. Caseworkers have financial and debt training and will offer advice on budgeting skills and support through writing to creditors on behalf of the service user. For more complex issues they will always refer on to the local Citizen s Advice Bureau who has a debt counselling service. Caerphilly Borough Mind will be starting up a co-partnership debt advice service with Disability Can Do from May 2014 (see regional breakdown). Money Advice Service The money advice service was set up by Government and the Citizen s Advice Bureau. It is predominantly an online / telephone helpline service, but can refer users through to have face to face support at a local Citizen s Advice Service. The service provides online guidance, through web chat, through a telephone helpline. (0300) 500 5555 Monday-Friday 8am 8pm. Saturday 9am 1pm (free) enquires@moneyadviceservice.org.uk 0300 330 0520 www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Budget planner National Debt line A national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in the UK. The service is free, confidential and independent. They can offer guidance and support for the following debt management services:

IVA s Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans Settlement Offers Contact Information (0808) 808 4000 Monday-Friday 9am - 9pm, Saturday 9am- 1pm www.nationaldebtline.co.uk Shelter Cymru Have a qualified debt specialist based in Cardiff. Shelter does not have a presence relating to debt support within Gwent and refer all enquiries, either referred or though self referral to Mind Cymru or C.A.B. Newport. A debt advice surgery is held in Pontypridd at the Housing Advice Offices on Tuesday and Wednesday, between 10 am to 1 pm. The advisor is available to give telephone support and advice on Mondays and Thursdays around the following debt solutions. Benefit s Advice Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders and plans Debt Management Plans (BBA) Settlement Offers Contact: Alisdhair Lawrence 029 2055 6120 alisdhairl@sheltercyrmu.org.uk Norbury House, Norbury Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF5 3AS

Step Change (formerly Consumer Credit Counselling Service) This service provides free online support and advice on managing debt. They have a telephone support service and an online debt support tool debt remedy that can be completed within 20 minutes. The toolkit will provide users with free debt advice and a personal action plan. Step Change will also give advice on the following debt solutions: IVA s Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Housing Debt Helpline and plans Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans Settlement Offers (0800) 138 1111 Monday-Friday 8am 8pm. Saturday 8am 4pm (free) enquires@moneyadviceservice.org.uk http://www.stepchange.org/ Debt Remedy Supporting People Support service users with low level debt issues though the Floating Support Service. Support is often, but not exclusively, based around tenancy support issues. All Floating Support Managers have a good understanding of basic financial management and debt support. They will support service users with: Tenancy / Rent Arrears More complex issues will be referred to the nearest Citizen s Advice Bureau by either a case worker or the Floating Support manager. Information regarding contacts can be found in the regional directory (below).

Support by Region Blaenau Gwent Churches Against Poverty (CAP) The debt centre is run in partnership with Church on the Rise, Ebbw Vale. Please see the general overview for services offered. Contact: Gillian James (Centre Manager). Weds 9-4.30, Friday 9-4.30 Caseworkers (01274) 761999 (you will need to have an existing CAP account) (0800) 328 0006 for new referrals (home visits only) Blaenau Gwent Debt Centre, Church on the Rise, Beaufort, Ebbw Vale CAP Money System CAP Pontypridd Provide access to workshops on money management. Next course starts on 3rd February 2014, 7:00 pm Contact: David Tazzini-Lloyd St Catherine s Church, Gwelliwastad Grove, Pontypridd, CF37 2BS (07717) 867935 CAP Money System Citizen s Advice Bureau Refers all services users with debt support needs to Caerphilly Citizen s Advice Bureau. Arosfa House, High Street, Blaina, NP13 3AN 01495 292659

Opening Hours: 10am 1 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays GOFAL Referrals from CMHT and PMHT teams and through Supporting People. Working with service users through Supporting People in direct relation to Tenancy Support. Provision of low level debt support including: Tenancy / Rent Arrears All Project Coordinators are based in the GOFAL Blackwood Office: Contact: Marie Read, Project Co-coordinator Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen (01495) 245802 enquiries@gofal.org.uk Unit 2 C, Foxes Lane, Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale, Blackwood, NP12 4AB HAFAL Signpost through C.A.B MIND Signpost through C.A.B Supporting People For low level debt support and tenancy issues. Contact: Michelle Church (01495) 354 682 supporting.people@blaeunau-gwent.gov.uk Anvil Court, Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1DB

http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/health/17499.asp Citizen s Advice Bureau Caerphilly CAB Caerphilly s debt advisory service is supported by Supporting People (covering Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent) and Caerphilly Borough Council (housing support and rent arrears for Caerphilly only). However they are waiting for confirmation of funding for 1 st April 2014. There is a GOFAL support worker available to support with service users who have mental health issues alongside debt concerns. The office also has a case worker that looks specifically at areas of rent arrears and housing support. The office will identify service users who may be eligible for IVA s, but will refer them on to a fee paying financial advisor who will help set up the agreement. The advisor may be able to give guidance and support for the following debt solutions: IVA referral Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Housing Debt & Rent Arrears and plans Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans Settlement Offers Contact: Jan Channing- Money Advice Lead Supervisor Hanbury Rd, Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan CF81 8QU Drop in Centre or 01443 835363 to make an appointment ChanningJ@Caerphillycab.org.uk Opening Hours: 10:00 13:00 (check availability prior to arriving) Support Services (Gwent) Feb 2014.docx

DisabilityCanDo Commencing in May 2014, the Disability Can Do Organisation will be hosted on a part time basis by Caerphilly Borough Mind, Ystrad Mynach. Low level welfare benefits support by appointment. (01495) 233555 (for appointments) support@disabilitycando.org.uk Please note: These contact details will not be operating until 6 th May 2014. GOFAL Referrals from CMHT and PMHT teams and through Supporting People. Working with service users through Supporting People in direct relation to Tenancy Support. Provision of low level debt support including: All Project Coordinators are based in the GOFAL Blackwood Office: Contact: Kieran Towler, Project Coordinator Caerphilly and Newport Crisis Services and Supported Housing or: Amanda Anstee Project Coordinator for Tenancy Support and Family Floating Support Services, Caerphilly (01495) 245802 enquiries@gofal.org.uk Unit 2 C, Foxes Lane, Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale, Blackwood, NP12 4AB HAFAL Signpost through C.A.B Mind (Caerphilly Borough) Please see DisabilityCanDo (above)

Supporting People For low level debt support and tenancy issues. Contact: Malcolm Topping (01443) 864545 supportingpeople@caerphilly.gov.uk Ty, Penallta, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7PG http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/supportingpeople/home Monmouthshire CAP Rogerstone Provide access to workshops on money management. Next course starts on 6 th February 2014, 10:00 or 27 th February 2014, 10:00. Contact: Isobel Mead Chepstow Methodist Church, Beachley Barracks, NP16 7YG (07748) 194300 CAP Money System CAP Caerleon Provide access to workshops on money management. Next course starts on 5 th February 2014, 7:30 pm. Contact: Harvey Philpott St Julian s Baptist Church, 33 Beauford Road, Newport, NP19 7PZ (07717) 867935 CAP Money System

CAP Monmouth Provide access to workshops on money management. Next course starts on 3rd February 2014, 7:30 pm. Contact: Dr Peter Carruthers Monmouth Baptist Church, Monk Street, Monmouth, NP25 3LR (01600) 888373 CAP Money System Citizen s Advice Bureau Service users can either be referred to the office or can self-refer. There are appointments available Monday to Friday, where service users can either make an appointment or simply drop in. The office takes a number of referrals through Talygarn and through Mind Cymru (Torfaen). The office has debt advisors that have had training specifically around mental health and ongoing debt recovery and support. The advisor may be able to give guidance and support for the following debt solutions: Contact: Peter Day (roving throughout Gwent) 23a Whitecross Street, Monmouth, NP25 3BY Specialist Debt Advice by appointment To make an appointment: (08444) 77 20 20. To change/cancel and appointment (01600 773297) Appointment Hours: Wednesday 10-3.30 C.A.B Abergavenny Contact: Peter Day (roving throughout Gwent) 26a Monk Street, Abergavenny, NP25 3BY

Specialist Debt Advice by appointment To make an appointment: (08444) 77 20 20. Appointment Hours: Monday 10-3.30 C.A.B Caldicot Contact: Peter Day (roving throughout Gwent) 5a Church Road, Caldicot, NP 26 4BP Specialist Debt Advice by appointment To make an appointment: (08444) 77 20 20. To change/cancel and appointment (01291 422119) Appointment Hours: Friday 10-3.30 C.A.B Chepstow Contact: Peter Day (roving throughout Gwent) The Gate House, High Street, Chepstow, NP16 5LH Specialist Debt Advice by appointment To make an appointment: (08444) 77 20 20. Appointment Hours: Thursday 10-3.30 GOFAL Signpost through C.A.B HAFAL

Signpost through C.A.B MIND Signpost through C.A.B Supporting People For low level debt support and tenancy issues. Contact: Tracey Finnis (01633) 740 730 traceyfinnis@monmouthshire.gov.uk Innovation House, Wales 1 Business Park, Magor, Monmouthshire NP26 3DG http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/home/planning-andhousing/housing/supporting-people/ Age Concern Newport Are now situated within the Memory Clinic system and also are contacted by secondary mental health practitioners as part of the older person s discharge protocols. Age Cyrmu will support services users to increase their income through providing benefit welfare assistance, but will also offer low level debt advice such as budget planning and writing to creditors on behalf of service users. Any more pressing issues with debt such as IVA s, Debt Relief Orders or Bankruptcy will be referred to the Citizen s Advice Bureau in Newport. Main contact: Tony Hussein (01633) 238311 normal 0office hours t.husein@agecyrmugwent.org.uk CAP Rogerstone

Provide access to workshops on money management. Next course starts on 22 nd March 2014, 09.30. Contact: Pastor Mark Thomas Bethesda and Cefn Wood Baptist Church, NP10 9AS (01633) 664742 CAP Money System Citizen s Advice Bureau Currently the Bureau operates from two premises and a number of outreach venues throughout Newport. The premises at 8 Corn Street and the outreach venues offer generalist advice and can refer to the debt team or other specialist advice services. The Bureau s Open Door Service in Corn Street is run on a drop-in, first come first served basis so no appointments are necessary. The debt team currently operates from the Bureau s premises at The Resource Centre, 35 Commercial Road. They operate an appointment system and accept referrals from the Bureau s generalist services and a number of organisations. In addition we operate an Open Door service on a Thursday with specialist debt advisers. The debt Open Door service has a limited number of times available throughout the day which can only be booked by people coming into the Resource Centre that day. As these are normally filled quite quickly we ask people to come in at 9 am to book their preferred time and come back at the booked time. This system cuts down the amount of time people need to wait to be seen. The office takes referrals from a variety of organisations and support workers, including Shelter Cyrmu, Mind Cymru (Newport). The office has debt advisors that have had training specifically around mental health and ongoing debt recovery and support. The advisor may be able to give guidance and casework support for the following debt solutions: IVA referral Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Housing Debt & Rent Arrears

and plans Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans Settlement Offers Contact: Christine Steel (supervisor for the Debt Support Service) The Resource Centre, 35 Commercial St, Newport, Gwent NP20 1DJ or 8 Corn Street, Newport NP20 1DJ Drop in Centre (Corn Street) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10a,-1pm, Friday 10 am to 3pm To make an appointment: 01633 222622 christine.steel@newportcab.org.uk GOFAL Referrals from CMHT and PMHT teams and through Supporting People. Working with service users through Supporting People in direct relation to Tenancy Support. Provision of low level debt support including: All Project Coordinators are based in the GOFAL Blackwood Office: Contact: Kieran Towler, Project Coordinator Caerphilly and Newport Crisis Services and Supported Housing (01495) 245802 enquiries@gofal.org.uk Unit 2 C, Foxes Lane, Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale, Blackwood, NP12 4AB HAFAL

Signpost through C.A.B MIND Signpost through C.A.B Supporting People For low level debt support and tenancy issues. Contact: Nigel Stannard (01633) 414855 supporting.people@newport.gov.uk Balen-y-Pant Bungalow, 74 Blaen-y-Pant Crescent, Malpas, Newport, NP20 5PX http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=socialcare.supportingpeopl e Churches Against Poverty (CAP) Torfaen The CAP debt centre is run in partnership Hill City Church. Please see the general overview for services offered. Contact: Nathan Davies (Centre Manager). Weds 9-4.30, Friday 9-4.30 (0800) 328 0006 for new referrals (home visits available) ongoing support (01495) 760605 Torfaen Debt Centre, Hill City Church, Trevethin, PONTYPOOL NP4 8EF CAP Money System Citizen s Advice Bureau

Service users can either be referred to the office or can self-refer. There are appointments available Monday to Friday, where service users can either make an appointment or simply drop in. The office takes a number of referrals through Talygarn and through Mind Cymru (Torfaen). The office has debt advisors that have had training specifically around mental health and ongoing debt recovery and support. The advisor may be able to give guidance and support for the following debt solutions: IVA referral Financial Administration Orders Bankruptcy Orders Housing Debt & Rent Arrears and plans Debt Relief Orders Debt Management Plans Settlement Offers The Cwmbran office also holds a number of outreach clinics in Blaenavon and Cwmbran (see separate sheet) as well as debt clinics specifically for Young People, hosted by Torfaen Young People Support. The office also run s workshops Managing Your Money which could be delivered with a specific understanding for those who have mental health needs. Contact: Natalie Hopkins- Money Advice Lead Supervisor 43a - 45 Gwent Square, Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 1PL or Castle Mews, George Street, Pontypool Torfaen, NP4 6BU Drop in Centre To make an appointment: 01633 876121 (Cwmbran) 01495 759814 (Pontypool) Guidance.tutor@torfaencab.cabnet.org.uk Managing Your Money Workshop Opening Hours: 9 am 5pm. Drop in from 10am Pontypool debt clinic: Tuesday 10-12.30 1.30-3.30 GOFAL

Referrals from CMHT and PMHT teams and through Supporting People. Working with service users in Talygen and providing support for hospital discharge. Provision of low level debt support including: All Project Co-Coordinators are based in the GOFAL Blackwood Office: Contact: Marie Read, Project Co-coordinator Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen (01495) 245802 enquiries@gofal.org.uk HAFAL Unit 2 C, Foxes Lane, Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale, Blackwood, NP12 4AB Signpost through C.A.B MIND Signpost through C.A.B Supporting People For low level debt support and tenancy issues. Contact: Beth Coval (interim manager) (01495) 766286 supporting.people@torfaen.gov.uk Ty r Efail, Lower Mill Field, Pontypool, NP4 0XJ http://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/housing/supportingpeople/supportingpeople/supportin g-people.aspx