Drive to ease debt sees tenants share struggles

ASHAMED, alone, embarrassed, scared, anxious and hopeless – these are just some of the words people struggling with debt have used to describe their situation in the Neath Port Talbot area.

Around 20 people have been bravely sharing their stories with the area’s social housing organisation Tai Tarian as part of its ongoing work to help end highcost credit and provide financial advice and support to those in need. Tai Tarian, in partnership with Toynbee Hall, has set up a Making Money Work Better group to understand the reality of life for people struggling with debts and find ways of helping them manage their money better.

The group provides a confidential environment to talk about the difficulties of coping with debts.

Yesterday, two members of the group shared their experiences at the Wales Talk Money Conference, led by the Money Advice Service, at Cardiff Castle.

The event was part of a special Talk Money Week that aims to encourage everyone to have an open conversation about money so people can feel more in control and know help is available.

Tai Tarian chief executive Linda Whittaker said: “We know that debt and high-cost credit is wide spread in the communities we serve.

“Working with Toynbee Hall we wanted to find out directly from people themselves what the lived experience of debt is like.

“We are extremely grateful to those who took part.

“Their experiences have been moving, powerful and invaluable.

“We are committed to working with the group to find fairer alternatives which will benefit communities across Neath Port Talbot and Wales.”

The work of the group is an integral part of the End High Cost Credit Alliance, founded by actor Michael Sheen and of which Tai Tarian is a key partner.

As well as working with the group, which is made up of Tai Tarian tenants and people from the Neath Port Talbot area, the housing association has been carrying out further research on the levels of debt locally and looking at ways it can practically help.

Research has also shown that within the borough many people have levels of debt ranging from £8,000 to £20,000.

Tai Tarian is committed to providing as much help and support to local people as it can and is launching a new training programme that will enable its staff to have the confidence to talk to tenants about financial worries, offer support and signpost them to services that can offer debt advice.