Thousands helped by money and consumer advice service

More than 8,500 people - many living in the Borough’s most deprived areas - have benefited from a three-year debt and consumer project, now nearing completion.

However, much of the help offered by the Money Advice and Consumer Information Service (MACI) will still be available after the service ceases to operate at the end of 2006.

The project has helped people by providing information and advice on tackling consumer, financial and debt issues. It has given practical advice on managing money, opening and using a bank account, consumer rights, using credit, getting value for money, debt awareness and planning for a future event.

Around 90 per cent of the people that used the service came from the Borough’s eight most deprived wards in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood.

The project was designed to be sustainable and as such, the MACI has also worked with a number of groups including the Prince’s Trust, people with special educational needs, young people’s groups, tenants and residents’ associations, women’s groups, homelessness organisations, drug and alcohol support services, and after schools clubs.

As well as directly helping people who might be affected by debt and money problems, MACI has also provided training to people working in similar fields, so that they advice and help they offered can still be passed on to the people who need it.

The project has worked with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s Tenancy Support Team, Rochdale Citizens Advice Bureau and Streetcred, the local credit union, who came together to set up the Money Awareness Partnership to promote financial inclusion.

The Council’s Trading Standards and Advice Services were instrumental in launching the MACI in January 2004, by making a successful bid to the Legal Services Commission, and are still able to offer consumer and debt advice.