Financial guidance

MoneyHelper is here to make your money and pension choices clearer. Here to cut through the jargon and complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it. Here to put you in control with impartial guidance that’s backed by government and to recommend further, trusted support if you need it. For clear money help that’s on your side and free to use, just search for MoneyHelper: moneyhelper.org.uk
The MoneySkills app has been created by researchers from the Centre for Business in Society (CBiS) at Coventry University. The MoneySkills app has adapted materials and used findings from a project funded by the Money Advice Service’s ‘what works fund’. The app includes tools and content that users can use to enhance their financial capability and improve their financial resilience. The app provides interactive financial capability content on budgeting and saving through short video clips, E-zines and an interactive budget planner. The MoneySkills app is available free in iOS, Android and web-based formats. The iOS version can be downloaded from the App Store and the Android version can be downloaded from Google Play Store. A web-based version of the app can be accesses here.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is a specialist team that investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders while supporting those who have borrowed money from a loan shark. The IMLT provides specialist advice and tailored support to anyone affected by illegal money lending. Call the 24/7 confidential Stop Loan Sharks Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or email the team at [email protected]. You can also submit a report online or use Live Chat to speak to a trained support worker between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday at www.stoploansharks.co.uk.

Aquarius is a charity that has been providing support to people who have gambling, alcohol, and drug problems for over 40 years. As part of the gambling support service, they provide support to people who have gambling problems, are risk of developing gambling problems or are affected by a friends; family members or loved ones gambling problem.

They provide one to one support via zoom, telephone, and post covid-19 face to face. They provide holistic support to help a person, with use of CBT to help them achieve their personalise, strengths-based goals. The service is free and for anyone from the age of 16, across West Midlands and West Mercia.

They also provide training to young people and professionals working with young people around the risks and harms around gambling which also includes gaming and gambling. This is for young people ages 11-18 all professionals working with young people.