Report: Brian Hardisty

There are some 50 voluntary organisations in west Lancashire - and new mayor Noel Delaney's determined to find out as much as he can about their good work!

And that saw him visit West Lancashire Debt Advice on Tuesday evening to discover more how volunteers support people suffering from debt problems.

West Lancashire Debt Advice (http://www.wlda.org.uk/) opened in 2013 and since then a team of volunteers from local churches have provided free face-to-face debt advice to nearly 100 people.

The advisors told the Mayor about the causes of poverty in households and how people are helped by seeking advice from WLDA; the hardest steps for clients are often admitting to themselves that they have a debt problem and then seeking advice.

Noel heard of the relief clients feel just in being able to share their story in a supportive, non-judgemental environment - debt advisors can then contact creditors on their behalf and help them to decide the best way of managing their debt.

The Mayor also heard of support to WLDA by Local Members Grants from a number of County Councillors from all the political parties and an LCC Welbeing grant arranged by County Councillor Nikki Hennessy, all of which have helped the work done by WLDA to continue.

He was also told how local Churches have supported the work financially and in addition Church members have donated books of second class stamps; postage being one of WLDA's biggest expenses.

WLDA is part of a National Charity,Community Money Advice and is regulated by the FCA. It's based in Emmanuel Methodist URC, Derby Street, Ormskirk L39 2DE. Appointments are available on a Tuesday evening and a Thursday afternoon and there is also a drop in session on a Thursday afternoon. .

If you want to contact WLDA call 07731 482120 when you can leave a message and an advisor will ring you back during the next session email: debtadvice@wlda.org.uk.

Pictured with the Mayor, l - r are: Willem Wiechers, Paul Armstrong, Roy Wynne, Rikki Abernathy and Brian Hardisty.

And click here to read how Santander are supporting another local community finance initiative fight loan sharks in the borough: https://www.qlocal.co.uk/ormskirk/new...r-55031656.htm