Experts from Gateshead Council, The Gateshead Housing Company and other agencies will be staging a Debt Advice Roadshow in a mobile exhibition unit.

Help on offer will include:
• free advice on ways of managing your debt,
• help to ensure you are claiming your full benefit entitlement,
• advice on managing your tenancy,
• support available from Job Centre Plus.

The team of advisors will also be able to offer advice on child care problems and issues around addiction and the problematic use of drugs.

Jackie Park, Head of Housing Services for Gateshead Council, says:

“Many families, especially those on low incomes, have found the last 12 months increasingly tough – and all the indications suggest that pressure on people’s personal finances is likely to get even worse in the months ahead.

“However, there is a lot which Gateshead Council and its partners can do to help – everything from offering simple, practical advice to providing help with complicated benefit applications.

“These roadshows aim to give everyone free access to some of the best advice available. It doesn’t matter if you are a house-owner, a tenant or you are simply living at home – our experts will be there to help you.”

Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of The Gateshead Housing Company, said: “We need our tenants to pay their rent, in order to be able to carry out many essential services, such as emergency repairs.

“However, we are also committed to helping any tenants with financial issues to be able to access any benefits that they are entitled to and get advice on managing their finances.

“This series of roadshows will offer residents the chance to get useful information that could make a huge difference to their home life.”