February 3, 2015 12.00 pm This story is over 109 months old

Four-month campaign helps Lincoln residents with money worries

Say No To High Cost Borrowing: A Lincoln partnership against poverty is concluding a four-month campaign which helped people with their money worries.

Partners from Lincoln Against Poverty’s ‘Say no to high cost borrowing’ campaign are joined in the city centre by Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Brent Charlesworth. Photo: Stuart Wilde

A Lincoln partnership against poverty is concluding a four-month campaign which helped people ‘Say No To High Cost Borrowing’.

More than 5,000 leaflets and 1,000 posters have been seen around the city displaying ways that people with money worries can find support.

Lincoln Against Poverty, a partnership between City of Lincoln Council and several organisations in the city, co-ordinated the project to highlight where people can go to if they have money problems, debt or need budgeting advice in the run-up to Christmas and the new year, a time that can put added pressure on already stretched household budgets.

Throughout the project leaflets were handed out, including with every food parcel, and posters were displayed signposting partners who backed the campaign, including Lincolnshire Credit Union, Lincoln Citizens Advice Bureau, the Illegal Money Lending Team and Christians Against Poverty.

Each month had its own message; October was to plan for Christmas spending, November was not to be reeled in by illegal loan sharks, December’s was not to hit the panic button and take out a high interest loan and January reminded people that it’s never too early to plan for the next festive season.

Councillor Rosanne Kirk, Portfolio Holder for Social Inclusion and Community Cohesion at the city council, said: “Although the campaign has ended, its message is one that continues throughout the year. It is important to remember there are other options available to people other than high interest loans.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be in a city where there are a number of agencies that offer money, debt and budgeting advice all year round.

“It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of these organisations that we’ve been able to join together on the ‘Say No To High Cost Borrowing’ campaign to highlight what’s out there for people if they are concerned about their finances.

“I’d also like to thank all the 32 partners who’ve been involved in the project to ensure this important message has reached as wide an audience as possible.

“It really does go to show what we can achieve by putting our resources together.”

Anyone who needs help can find a range of agencies in the city by visiting the Lincoln Against Poverty website.

Seventy-five organisations will be joining together at this year’s Lincoln Against Poverty Conference taking place on Tuesday, February 24.