North Wales Financial Inclusion Partnership wins another award!

The North Wales Financial Inclusion Partnership has a won a fifth award for an innovative DVD which helps tenants manage their money effectively. The Partnership was successful in the regional category of the National Illegal Money Lending Unit Awards.

The ‘My Home – Making Every Penny Count’ DVD was developed by staff, tenants and volunteers from across North Wales. The DVD, along with a pre-tenancy money advice pack, is now used as a tool for helping new tenants look at the financial challenges of moving into a new home. It covers themes such as ‘Getting Ready for Your New Home’, ‘Banking, Borrowing and Saving’ and ‘Dealing with Debts’.

The partnership were joint winners at the awards with Flintshire Youth Forum who developed a DVD on the impact loan sharks have on people’s lives. The Flintshire Youth Forum was also responsible for establishing the Loan Shark Victim Support Fund which was officially opened by Sandy Mewies AM in November 2010. The fund was originally managed by Wales and West Housing who subsequently transferred responsibility to Cardiff Trading Standards.

The North Wales Financial Inclusion Partnership was established by Rhian Hughes the Financial Inclusion Champion for North Wales in 2008. It consists of members from housing associations across North Wales, including Cartrefi Conwy, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, Cymdeithas Tai Eryri, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, Clwyd Alyn, North Wales Housing and Wales & West Housing. It is an example of co-operative partnership working between the housing associations and a valuable forum for organisations faced with the new challenges presented by forthcoming benefits reform.

Rhian Hughes commented, ‘With the challenges ahead of us with regard to Welfare Reform, not only to tenants, but to housing associations and support organisations, it is crucial that those who need it are supported appropriately. The DVD is an important tool in that support and it is heartening for it to be recognised as such’.

Joanne Yassine, Investigations Manager for the Welsh Illegal Money Lending Unit commented “The Welsh Illegal Money Lending Unit has found that as people are increasingly finding themselves in financial difficulty, many feel they have no one else to turn to when they need cash for essentials. The DVD is an effective way of highlighting the dangers of loan sharks before residents fall prey to their practices, whilst helping them to make the most of their money and avoid getting into debt”

The award will be formally presented to the North Wales Financial Inclusion Partnership and the Flintshire Youth Forum at the end of November.