Budgeting boost from social landlords

As the Christmas shopping season gets into full swing, landlords are working with Durham County Credit Union to help people manage their money and avoid crippling debts in the New Year.

Riverside, Home Group and Three Rivers Housing Association joined forces with community volunteers to hold an open day at Pelaw View Centre in Durham to offer advice on debt management, savings, budgeting and healthy eating.

Durham Mayor Dennis Southwell joined around 60 people who dropped in to find out more about money matters, with advisors from Citizens Advice Bureau on hand to help people budget more effectively.

With high rates of unemployment in the North East – second only to the West Midlands – debt and money management is an issue for many social housing tenants in Durham.

Julie Riseborough is head of community engagement for Riverside, which has around 250 properties in Durham and an office in Gateshead. Julie said: “We don’t want people to get to the stage where they resort to using illegal loan sharks or high interest rate doorstep lenders. Getting lots of agencies together was a great way to help people make their money go further.”

Riverside has donated £1,000 towards Durham County Credit Union to support their work in offering affordable loans and savings advice.

Laura Hattrick, neighbourhood regeneration officer for Home, which has 270 properties on the Woodlands estate, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Durham Credit Union, Riverside and Three Rivers over the last 12 months on this important initiative. We aim to increase the capacity and membership of the credit union to offer affordable credit to customers in County Durham. We contributed £2,500 to help them achieve this.”

Durham Mayor Dennis Southwell added: “It is important for residents to have access to funds and this Credit Union is well managed by the volunteers. The Union is going from strength to strength and I will continue to offer my support after my year of office as Mayor has finished. Anyone with financial problems should take advantage of this facility rather than go to loan sharks.”