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MK Signpost - A new service from MK Money Lifeline
Who are MK Money Lifeline?
MK Money Lifeline is a registered local debt advice charity (no.11460001) that has been operating in Milton Keynes for over 10 years. We are made up of many volunteer advisors, trustees and a team of 4 part-time paid administrators. Many of our team are drawn from local churches and businesses - all of whom want to make a difference to people who are in debt.
MK Money Lifeline is affiliated to Community Money Advice - a national organisation that supports many local debt advice centres, often based in churches. They provide professional support, training and help with all the legal and compliance information that arises in running a debt advice centre.
All our advisors are trained up to Level 3 in Generalist Money Advice.
What service do MK Money Lifeline provide?
MK Money Lifeline offers free, face to face, confidential and impartial debt advice. Currently most of our work takes place over the phone due to the Covid-19 restrictions. In 'normal' circumstances two advisors will make an appointment to see a client in our main office at Acorn House, Central Milton Keynes.
Our new service MK Signpost offers a telephone helpline , signposting the caller to where they can find specific advice about their particular problem.
How does the service work?
MK Signpost - Callers phone the helpline number 0800 121 832. They will talk to an operator who will be able to signpost them to where they can get help. This could be help with utilities, water, food, where to go for benefits help, job programmes. We have a large data base to draw from. If it's something we haven't come across before, we will research the information and phone the caller back.
MK Money Lifeline - We review a client's income and expenditure , find out the extent of their indebtedness, and together with the client, decide the best way to move forward. There are many ways to deal with debts, and therefore there is always a way forward and this gives them HOPE . MK Money Lifeline negotiates with creditors and act as the buffer between them and our clients. This takes the pressure off the client and allows them to feel less anxious about being in debt.
What can people expect?
MK Money Lifeline and Signpost always act with integrity and confidentiality, so you can be sure that what clients/callers say, stays with us and is not discussed with others. Clients and callers can expect to be dealt with respectfully and to be given the very best service or advice we can.
MK Money Lifeline will continue to work with our clients to help them become debt free. This works by clients co-operating and working with us, and always being honest about their situation. It's so great when we hear client's stories of where they started, in so much debt and without hope; their journey, which can be very up and down; to completing their journey and becoming debt free.
How accessible is the service?
MK Signpost is a phone call away 0800 121 8321, Monday to Friday 11.00am to 8.00pm; Saturdays 10.00am till 4.00pm.
Mk Money Lifeline - By appointment only. Please call 0300 123 5198 or email:- office@mkmoneylifeline.org.uk
At the moment with Covid-19 restrictions, we have a full waiting list, but we are happy to answer questions people may have.
How far does the support go?
The support with Mk Money Lifeline continues until our client becomes debt free, or able to mange independently. We keep in contact and conduct regular reviews.
MK Signpost - the support is usually given during the length of the call on the helpline. However the call handler may need to call back or email the caller with further information. Some call handlers have delivered food parcels from the community larders to those who needed help and no one to ask for it.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about?
Mk Money Lifeline and MK Signpost are run mostly by volunteers, and are funded by local churches, grants, personal monthly giving, and fundraising activities. We believe that this is such a valuable service that we continually pray that the money to keep us going will keep coming in. This year we have been unable to do any fundraising activities, however we did benefit from a Community Foundation grant to enable us to set up the MK Signpost Service .
We are always looking for new people to join us - either to be trained as an advisor, to become a Call Handler for MK Signpost helpline or to create an event to raise vital funds for us.
If anyone is interested in joining us or fundraising for us, then please email: Ian Anderson, Centre Manager: ian.anderson@mkmoneylifeline.org.uk