A list of debt advice/money management support services in Croydon, who presented our March "Money Management" online One croydon training session:
MONEY ADVICE AND EDUCATION (MONEY A+E): provides money advice & education to disadvantaged groups, Diverse Ethnic Communities (DEC) and young people. They are an award-winning social enterprise. They provide one to one telephone and Zoom debt, benefits, energy and money guidance sessions. Their waiting list has recently increased to 5 weeks. You can book an appointment online at https://www.moneyaande.co.uk/money-coaches
Jeredine@moneyaande.co.uk 077 5343 3750
ESTHER COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE: A local food bank that also offers workshop to equip people with the fundamental principles of managing money, including creating a budget, how to grow savings and managing bank charges and overdraft fees. The next online sessions will be on 23rd and 30th March 2023. Book at https://www.eceuk.org/news-and-projects/make-your-money-stretch-workshop/
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY: National charity with local projects. They provide in person courses, delivered locally to you, that can help you to manage your finances better, find employment/a better job, and learn practical life skills:
- Job club; this is a face-to-face 7-week course supporting residents to get a job/better post.
- Life skills club; this is a face-to-face 7-week course supporting residents to get practical skills to help them live well.
- Money management course: 3 ninety-minute sessions to support residents in taking control of their finances, save and avoid debt.
They also provide home visits by arrangement to help with the above. Call their free telephone line 0800 328 0006 (open Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 5pm and Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm).
They have an online Benefits calculator.
nigeldavidson@capuk.org 07710350752
HEAR US: they run accredited welfare surgeries for Croydon residents with lived experience of mental health. This includes looking at maximising income, making and maintaining claims, challenging decisions including tribunals, helping people facing rent or utility arrears, accompanying to assessments and JCP appointments. They also support people through motability schemes, in applying for utility grants and schemes, accessing food banks and other services.
You can refer residents (or they can self-refer) by phone: 0208 681 6888, email: surgery@hear-us.org or through the referral form on the website: https://www.hear-us.org/surgeries/surgery-referral
They have temporarily closed the waiting list and will open it again in April 2023. However, you are advised to make a referral if you know someone in need as appointments are occasionally cancelled.
David Ashton - Hear Us Welfare Surgeries Manager david@hear-us.org
You can find the list of debt management organisations in Croydon on our Simply Connect website.
The flyer put together in collaboration with the Food Aid Network is available on our website.