Helpingpeople withdebtwoes for20years
THIS YEAR SLIGO’S MONEY AND ADVICE BUDGETING SERVICE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS HELPING PEOPLE SORT OUT THEIR DEBT
IT’S 20 years since the Sligo MABS was first set up, providing free advice and help to people struggling with debt. Short for money and advice budgeting service, there are 60 MABS located around Ireland, providing vital help to people with financial problems.
Joe Nevin is a Money Advice Co- ordinator in the Sligo office, which is located at Carbury House, Fish Quay. He says they see all walks of life come through their doors seeking advice.
“There’s been plenty of changes since we were first established twenty years ago. I’m here with MABS for nine years and even in that space of time, there’s been many changes.
“A lot of our work now is in the courts, dealing with repossessions. Our core work is personal debt, small business debt, where self employed businesses go belly up, and mortgages.
“We cover all types of debt and the biggest one for us at the moment is mortgages, people’s homes. A lot of people have been in difficulty since the recession and our job is to reach out to people and help them in whatever way we can.”
Joe explained that all debts be it credit card, money lenders, revenue are dealt with by MABS.
“We give people background advice and also act on their behalf with creditors too.”
There is also a community advice role that MABS plays a big part of in Sligo, meeting various target groups, giving discussions and being vocal in the community.
“This is an area we hope to get back into more as we are doing a lot of work firefighting rather than dealing with the outreach community.”
In terms of last year, Sligo MABS took on 332 new clients. “It’s a lot of people when you look at it,” Joe admitted. “The recession had a huge effect on numbers, people were in dire difficulty and we saw a change, our work became more to do with mortgages and our role in courts.”
An expansion this year sees MABS being recognised nationally as the Gateway to Debt Advice.
In terms of whether or not people are struggling less financially in recent times, Joe says that he hasn’t seen a drop off as such.
“There may have been a slight drop off the last couple of years but it appears to be rising again.
“I wouldn’t say there has been a drop off, lots of our clients are in difficulty financially still,” he adds.
“When people come to our door, we deal with them immediately, we are there for everyone and all walks of life seek our assistance. We do an assessment with the person and then take it from there.”
It costs € 300,000 to run MABS on a yearly basis and it is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board.
As well as Joe, there are two full- time money advisors and a dedicated mortgage arrears advisor working in MABS. “We primarily cover Sligo and the border towns around the area,” Joe says. They are planning on marking their 20th anniversary this Friday afternoon between 12pm and 2pm in their office in Carbury House.
“We will have local groups that we work alongside here in the community. It’s about celebrating twenty years helping the people of Sligo in whatever way we can,” Joe adds.
He said it’s also hoped people are more aware of the services MABS provide and they can be contacted regarding any queries people have. “One to one consultation is provided in our offices which are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. For further information drop into the Sligo Office in Carbury House, Fish Quay, Sligo, telephone 0761 07 2730 or email us at sligo@ mabs. ie. “You may also contact our MABS National Helpline at Lo call 0761 07 2000 Monday to Friday 9am- 8pm or log on to www. mabs. ie.” The service is staffed by professional Money Advisors, Accredited Approved Intermediaries, a Dedicated Mortgage Arrears Adviser and Court Mentors who are there to help or support you to deal with your mortgage arrears and your debt problems.