Youngsters in South Liverpool are shortlisted for innovative loan shark play

Published by Michelle Bloore for South Liverpool Housing in Housing

South Liverpool Homes (SLH) has gone through to the next round of a national competition after a group of young people participated in a hard-hitting play warning about the dangers of loan sharks.

The Community Impact Awards, organised by the National Housing Federation, highlights the important community work carried out by social landlords above and beyond providing homes.

SLH’s Don’t Get Bitten by a Loan Shark campaign was shortlisted by a panel of tenant judges after the organisation’s Junior Board, a group of young people aged 11-22 years, took to the stage to warn others of the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders.

Working in partnership with the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Liverpool Trading Standards and Attitude Drama, the innovative play  ‘A Loan in Liverpool’ poignantly shows the impact illegal lenders can have on communities, accurately reflecting the experiences which many victims of illegal money lenders go through.

As well as developing their singing and acting skills, many of whom had little experience in these areas, the young people learnt everything they needed to know about illegal lending and are now advocates of the Stop Loan Sharks message. Nine youngsters took part in the community advocate training delivered by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (the youngest advocates recruited so far).

The best in category and overall regional winner will be announced on Thursday 1 November at the Macdonald Manchester Hotel.

SLH’s Chief Executive Julie Fadden said “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the next stage of the Community Impact Awards and it’s really special to be chosen by a panel of residents living in social housing – they know first-hand the difference housing associations can make. 

Our Junior Board should be very proud of themselves as they have put a lot of hard work into this play.  We hope our campaign has made people, particularly young people, more aware of the risks of borrowing money from loan sharks and will encourage them to look at alternative forms of financial help.”

National Housing Federation North West Lead Manager Daniel Klemm said: “Housing associations here in the North West go much further than just providing homes, they create healthy and happy neighbourhoods where families can flourish.  The Community Impact Awards are a great chance to celebrate the work they carry out on a daily basis.”

“With so many inspirational projects to choose from, our resident judges – who know first-hand the difference housing associations can make – had a tough job deciding the shortlists. Congratulations to those who reached the next stage.”

The national winner of the Community Impact Awards, which are sponsored by Morrison and 24housing magazine, will be announced early next year.