Leeds and Wetherby and District Trussell Trust Foodbanks Partner with Money and Debt Advice Charity- Money Buddies
We are pleased to announce in partnership with Trussell Trust Foodbanks in Leeds, Money Buddies will provide on site Money Guidance, Emergency Debt Advice and Financial Well-being support to the most vulnerable in society who need to use a food bank. The Money Buddies service will be available at Wetherby and District Foodbank on Friday mornings, during the drop-in session.
Trussell Trust aims are to eliminate the need for foodbanks. One key way to help achieve that goal is to provide on site dedicated financial capability, advice and support to foodbank users. The aim of the support is to (i) help people out of immediate crisis and (ii) help develop people’s confidence, knowledge and skills in dealing with money and finances so they can regain control, dignity and feel empowered over the medium longer term.
When people access foodbanks it usually is as a result of an immediate and unexpected financial crisis. At this stage people are struggling to eat, heat and live in dignity. By having a Money Buddy on site, the aim is to help people out of financial crisis, mainly debts and support with income maximisation. The service is free to access and use. Clients can access Money Buddies as often as they need.
Money Buddies will be at twelve Trussell Trust foodbanks served by,
- Leeds, North and North West
- Leeds South and South East
- Wetherby and District
The service starts week commencing September 12 2022 for at least two years.
Support clients receive include:
Emergency Debt advice and Financial Well-being support and guidance:
By providing; legal emergency debt advice, where clients are faced with eviction, home repossession, Bailiff and enforcement action, energy disconnection and court action for non- payment of debts. Advisers will help clients; fill in forms, complete household budgets, complete financial statements for creditors, write letters to creditors, safely report loan sharks and as part of income maximisation support do a benefit entitlement check.
Benefits Support and Guidance
The advisers will support clients via referral to Benefit Buddies who help with completing ALL Benefit applications, including Universal Credit, Personal Independent Payment forms and Employment Support Allowance applications, managing cases to payment of benefits, liaising with the DWP, attending meetings with work coaches and providing support by attending assessments, appeals and tribunals.
How to Access the Service
The service is available to people who need to use a food bank for food.
Our Money Buddy will be available at Wetherby and District Foodbank on Friday mornings, 10am till 11:30am, during the session. Every effort will be made to ensure the Money Buddies consultations are as discrete and private as possible. If you need to speak to our Money Buddy but can’t make it to the Friday morning session, phone consultations are available so please get in touch to arrange one.
Debbie Marriot, the Distribution Centre coordinator for Wetherby and District Foodbank commented:
“It’s only been three weeks since the Money Buddies service started but already we’ve seen a number of clients requesting their services, and many more have taken leaflets. I’m in no doubt, however, that this service will see a significant uptake amongst our clients once word gets about. Our regular Money Buddies debt counsellor can offer advice on anything financial – which, sadly, is more valuable these days than ever.”
We really hope the service will continue beyond September 2024, although this will be dependent on funding.
