Since the launch of My Money Matters last year, 42 people in the villages of Weston Rhyn, Gobowen and St Martins have received support from the Citizens Advice Shropshire led service.

My Money Matters is delivered in partnership with Shropshire Providers Consortium, funded until 2020 by Three Parishes Big Local as part of their £1 million Big Lottery investment in these three villages.

So far the information and advice has had many positive outcomes including helping people access benefits that they are entitled to.

Karen Williams, the project’s community adviser, has helped people with issues ranging from benefit applications, blue badge applications, debt advice, homelessness, energy advice, state pension, and tenancy agreements. She said: "It’s fantastic to be able to deliver a holistic and flexible service in the Three Parish area, providing support within the communities on virtually any topic and helping people find a way forward.

"My Money Matters is for anyone who lives, works or volunteers in the Three Parish area, so you don’t have to travel further afield to Oswestry. You can come to any of the three locations, whichever suits you. This year will be a year of changes for Shropshire and My Money Matters. From April 2018 we’ll be running evening drop in sessions for those who work or are unable to come in during the day. We’ll also be keeping a regular presence at local GP surgeries and the Jobcentre Plus in Oswestry so people can get help in familiar locations. Full service Universal Credit comes to Shropshire in May and we’ll be on hand to help people get to grips with the changes and navigate the new benefit through workshop sessions and one-to-one support. We’ll also be developing the My Money Matters webchat service, so there will an additional way for people to easily access our confidential service."

The project has provided 33 drop-in sessions where Karen has given information or advice, and has also provided a series of workshops on topics such as internet banking, consumer rights, managing debt, budgeting for beginners, benefits sessions and utilities sessions. The service can come to you if you are unable to come to one of the three locations because of poor health, childcare, or transport issues, and workshops can be delivered on request to local community groups.

Pat McGuinness, Three Parishes Big Local Partnership member said: “We are really pleased that My Money Matters is making a difference, and it is great to hear that the project has worked with local people to access a potential £40,000 of additional income. We hope that more people will contact Karen and take advantage of this service that Citizens Advice Shropshire is providing on our behalf.”