Press Releases
See the below press releases about the work we have done:
Christmas Spending Event 2019
Our Money Buddy team recently attended the Leeds Christmas Spending Event held in the city centre, to give advice and support to people across Leeds on how to save money and maximise income during the festive season and beyond. Thank you to everyone who spoke with our team and also a BIG THANKS to our volunteers who helped out through out the day.
The Money Buddies Storybook is Launched
A big thank you to all the children and staff at New Bewerley Community School in South Leeds for welcoming our team, at the launch of the new "The Money Buddies" story. The book aims to warn children about the dangers of loan sharks and also about personal finance and how to manage money .
Robin Simpson, a professional storyteller, came to launch the book at an assembly at New Bewerley Community School on Friday (11 October). The pupils received a copy of the book from national mascot ‘Sid the Shark’.
The book, funded by the IMLT from proceeds of crime, is set to be distributed to schools across Leeds and will also be available from all libraries in the city.
Robin Simpson, a professional storyteller, came to launch the book at an assembly at New Bewerley Community School on Friday (11 October). The pupils received a copy of the book from national mascot ‘Sid the Shark’.
The book, funded by the IMLT from proceeds of crime, is set to be distributed to schools across Leeds and will also be available from all libraries in the city.
Volunteer Fair 2019 - Leeds Kirkgate Market
Here is Josh, our volunteer coordinator at Ebor Gardens Advice Centre. Along with Meghana, one of our current volunteers, he attended the volunteer fair at Kirkgate Market back in June to provide potential volunteers with information regarding our services and show people just how they can help make our dreams of helping as many people as possible out of debt become a reality. The day was very enjoyable and they spoke to many people about the volunteering opportunities we currently have on offer. If you were unable to make the day but would love to volunteer with us, please get in touch today at admin@egac.org.
Press Release - Leeds Money Buddies NEW Service Announcement
Leeds Best Financial Capability City in the UK
Since 2016 Money Buddies have supported 4780 clients make, save or gain £4.99 million in financial gains. The vast majority of clients have at least one priority debt which not dealt with leads to emergency debt and crisis, most commonly; where a client has an eviction/ repossession order, disconnection of power and heat or a bailiff knocking on their door. Over 40% of our clients reported a mental health condition. As a result of seeing a money buddy, clients reported 3.4 points out of 10 increases in their well- being, understanding of money and optimism about the future.
Meeting client’s needs, means Leeds as a city aims to meet its citizen’s needs- which has been the driving force behind why Money Buddies started. Money Buddies services have developed from the bottom up, with feedback from clients, partner’s experiences delivering services, the impact of austerity and the hardship caused by Universal Credit.
Debt crisis to worsen as benefit cuts and welfare changes come into force
At a time when demand for debt advice is at bursting point and the growing need for emergency debt advice because of benefit cuts, austerity, sanctions and insecure pay, we predict the situation is going to get worse with no easing in sight. It will spread into previously insulated populations, who live in more affluent areas too. We are seeing this for example in North Leeds with the rise in use of a food bank in leafy Wetherby.
Our clients from across Leeds:
Money Buddies New Service
With this in mind and feedback from our clients and partners we have taken the decision to make a significant enhancement to the Money Buddy service in order to support Leeds Citizens from an ever growing debt burden, stress and risk of deteriorating health by intervening and stabilising a client’s situation at the most pressing of times. From April our Money Buddies will deliver an emergency legal debt advice service to clients who present at outreach centres. The aim of this new service is to stabilise the client’s position. Clients are typically in a state of chaos at this point. Money Buddies will call and negotiate with creditors, provide legal protection to clients and much needed breathing space for clients to feel safe and be able to take the next steps in resolving their wider, usually complex debt issues in a calmer, stable environment.
A First for Leeds; if not the UK?
This will mean that there will be an extensive face to face emergency legal debt advice service across the city and in the locales of greatest need. We believe this is a first across the city if not the UK and will help support the council’s aims of best city to live in.
Working together; we and Leeds Lead the Way
Partnership working has been the key to helping protect and serve the citizens of Leeds. We as a team and part of the city should continue to be proud of our achievements in leading the way, where other cities appear to be struggling. The Senior Management Team would like to thank you, the Councillors, Leeds Members of Parliament and the teams at Leeds City Council for your continued support in being there for the people of Leeds.
Sky, BBC News, Radio Leeds, Yorkshire Evening Post (2019)
Since 2016 Money Buddies have supported 4780 clients make, save or gain £4.99 million in financial gains. The vast majority of clients have at least one priority debt which not dealt with leads to emergency debt and crisis, most commonly; where a client has an eviction/ repossession order, disconnection of power and heat or a bailiff knocking on their door. Over 40% of our clients reported a mental health condition. As a result of seeing a money buddy, clients reported 3.4 points out of 10 increases in their well- being, understanding of money and optimism about the future.
Meeting client’s needs, means Leeds as a city aims to meet its citizen’s needs- which has been the driving force behind why Money Buddies started. Money Buddies services have developed from the bottom up, with feedback from clients, partner’s experiences delivering services, the impact of austerity and the hardship caused by Universal Credit.
Debt crisis to worsen as benefit cuts and welfare changes come into force
At a time when demand for debt advice is at bursting point and the growing need for emergency debt advice because of benefit cuts, austerity, sanctions and insecure pay, we predict the situation is going to get worse with no easing in sight. It will spread into previously insulated populations, who live in more affluent areas too. We are seeing this for example in North Leeds with the rise in use of a food bank in leafy Wetherby.
Our clients from across Leeds:
- 82% of our clients have no savings
- 79% are on low incomes
- 64% of clients have low financial literacy and financial capability skills
- 68% with one or more priority debts
- 61% disclosed a health issue
Money Buddies New Service
With this in mind and feedback from our clients and partners we have taken the decision to make a significant enhancement to the Money Buddy service in order to support Leeds Citizens from an ever growing debt burden, stress and risk of deteriorating health by intervening and stabilising a client’s situation at the most pressing of times. From April our Money Buddies will deliver an emergency legal debt advice service to clients who present at outreach centres. The aim of this new service is to stabilise the client’s position. Clients are typically in a state of chaos at this point. Money Buddies will call and negotiate with creditors, provide legal protection to clients and much needed breathing space for clients to feel safe and be able to take the next steps in resolving their wider, usually complex debt issues in a calmer, stable environment.
A First for Leeds; if not the UK?
This will mean that there will be an extensive face to face emergency legal debt advice service across the city and in the locales of greatest need. We believe this is a first across the city if not the UK and will help support the council’s aims of best city to live in.
Working together; we and Leeds Lead the Way
Partnership working has been the key to helping protect and serve the citizens of Leeds. We as a team and part of the city should continue to be proud of our achievements in leading the way, where other cities appear to be struggling. The Senior Management Team would like to thank you, the Councillors, Leeds Members of Parliament and the teams at Leeds City Council for your continued support in being there for the people of Leeds.
Sky, BBC News, Radio Leeds, Yorkshire Evening Post (2019)
New Money Buddy Marketing Banners placed within our Leeds outreach centres 2019
Look out for us at Dewsbury Road Community Hub
Look our for us at the Old Fire Station, Gipton
Be sure to look out for us at other centres near you soon....
Funding Received for new Money Buddy Children's Book
Christmas Spending Event Leeds 2018
Money Buddies are True Financial Friends.
Yorkshire Evening Post (September 2013)
Yorkshire Evening Post (September 2013)
MEDIA ENQUIRES:
To find out more about our services, please contact one of our team on
Tel: 0113 2350276
Email: admin@egac.org
To find out more about our services, please contact one of our team on
Tel: 0113 2350276
Email: admin@egac.org
Ebor Gardens Advice Centre, Money Buddies and Benefit Buddies are free, confidential, impartial and independent and are a Burmantofts Community Project
Charity Reg. Number: 1051368 Company Reg. Number: 3061633