A new project bringing together four local organisations has launched to help families across North Ayrshire access financial advice, reduce debt and improve their household income.
Money Max is a 12-month pilot funded through North Ayrshire Council’s Child Poverty and Early Intervention Fund, with more than £200,000 invested in the partnership.
The service brings together specialists from The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT), Beith Trust, 1st Alliance Community Bank and CHAP, offering support with benefits, housing, budgeting, employment and training.
The aim is to make it easier for families to find the right help through one coordinated service, reducing the need to explain their circumstances repeatedly to different organisations.
TACT, which is based in Saltcoats and is leading the project, provides advocacy and helps residents access information, advice and services.
Beith Trust offers employability support, including help with writing CVs, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews, while 1st Alliance Community Bank provides savings accounts, ethical loans and budgeting support.
CHAP offers free, confidential and independent housing, debt and benefits advice, covering issues ranging from benefit applications and appeals to mortgage repossession and bankruptcy.
Council Leader Tony Gurney said the investment was intended to help families access support when they need it.
“Each organisation involved in Money Max has many years of knowledge and experience of working with those living in our communities who most need support,” he said.
“We hope to make life better for people and improve family wellbeing by breaking down barriers to accessing support locally, offering a one-stop shop approach so residents don’t need to repeat their story to many different organisations and staying with residents from the start of their journey to the end.”
He encouraged anyone needing help with advocacy, employability, debt or finances to contact the team, adding: “You are guaranteed a friendly welcome.”
TACT Strategic Support Officer Sarah Johnes said the partnership was designed to address the difficulties people can face when seeking help from several separate services.
“Money Max is an exciting, ambitious new project and its aim is to support families and reduce child poverty,” she said.
“We are doing this through advocacy, employability, debts and welfare advice and financial empowerment.”
The team first came together in March, following discussions about how local third sector organisations could work more closely to support residents.
Sarah added: “Until now, this has meant that clients have to tell their story multiple times to multiple organisations, and Money Max is here to put a solution in place for that.”
The launch comes during Challenge Poverty Week, which runs from October 5 to 11. North Ayrshire Council is supporting the campaign for the eleventh consecutive year.
Organised by the Poverty Alliance, the annual campaign highlights the impact of poverty and encourages communities to work together to support people struggling to make ends meet.
Families looking for support can contact Money Max on 07921 518 485 or visit the Money Max page on The Ayrshire Community Trust website.