Funding secures future of debt line

Tuesday 15th May 2012

A debtline which helped thousands of people struggling with financial hardship has won funding to continue its work.

The Northern Debt Line has supported people across the North East and Cumbria, handling more than 3,600 debt enquires since its launch in 2010.

Now residents can continue benefiting from the free and independent service after the Northern Rock Foundation pledged funding to extend the service for a further two years. Details of the amount have not been released.

Liz Chadwick, chief executive of Dawn Advice, which manages the service, said: "The Northern Debt Line provides an invaluable service, particularly in the current climate, and there are signs that demand for impartial, free advice will only continue to grow.

"We are therefore delighted that the future of this service has been secured thanks to this vital injection of funding."

The telephone advice line was first launched as part of a £1.5million scheme to improve access to advice services for people living in rural areas.

Penny Wilkinson, chief executive of the Northern Rock Foundation, said: "Through the organisations and services which it supports, the Northern Rock Foundation is dedicated to tackling disadvantage and improving quality of life in North East England and Cumbria.

"The availability of independent financial advice will remain critical for our region and we are proud to be able to support the fantastic work which Dawn Advice is doing through the Northern Debt Line."

The helpline is available on 0300 3333445 or via http://www.dawnadvice.org.uk.

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