Financial inclusion

We work hard with residents and communities to enhance life chances by helping our residents become financially included and aim to ensure every resident should be offered access to five basic financial services: advice, banking, credit, insurance and saving.

Matt Earnshaw, Financial Inclusion manager, explains our approach

Going the extra mile

Last year, South Anglia resident, Deborah, was made redundant. She spoke to her housing officer, Phil Middleton, about the situation as she was concerned she would not be able to pay her bills. Phil offered her a referral to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau so that she could speak to an advisor about how she could manage her situation. Within days a meeting was arranged.

"I had never been unemployed before and finding myself in this situation was scary. I felt I was able to talk honestly and openly with Phil and he was not only extremely helpful but also approachable and sympathetic.

Following advice from the CAB, Deborah has sorted her finances and has made it through a very worrying time. "I would like my experience to encourage other people in similar circumstances to seek advice from their housing provider. It is no good hoping the problem will just go away and my story shows that help is out there if you ask.

"A year on and I am so much happier. Phil went that extra mile to help me with my debts and now I feel much more in control of things."

14/10/10 15:06