Debt Free Advice has partnered with Citizens Advice North & West Kent to launch the Kent Money Advice Hubs, a new service that provides free, confidential and impartial advice to individuals struggling with financial difficulties. The service is fully funded by Kent County Council, ensuring that the advice offered is always completely free.
According to research from Citizens Advice, the number of people seeking debt advice increased by 16% in the three months to September 2022. The most pressing debt issues have been fuel debts, council tax arrears, rent arrears and credit and store card debts.
The Kent Money Advice Hubs offer free and confidential advice via various digital channels, including, video calling, messaging, and the traditional phone service. In addition, the hubs have installed video advice kiosks in several communities, allowing residents to receive on-the-spot advice from an advisor.
Debt Free Advice is pleased to be partnering with Citizens Advice North & West Kent in launching the Kent Money Advice Hubs, providing crucial support to individuals facing financial challenges. The cost of living crisis has hit many people hard, and we believe that offering free and confidential financial advice is crucial in helping people manage their debts and money worries.
We are particularly excited about the addition of video advice kiosks in several communities, which provide an innovative way for people to access our services. Not everyone has access to digital channels, and the kiosks allow people who are digitally excluded to receive on-the-spot advice from our advisors. We are committed to ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone, and we believe that the kiosks will be an invaluable resource for those who may otherwise struggle to access support.
We're pleased to be leading this new project in Kent. It will support people before they get into debt as well as helping those who are already unable to meet day-to-day costs. We're urging anyone who is even slightly worried about money to look for help sooner rather than later. Taking that first step and asking for help is often the hardest part, but by acting now and getting in touch, many people could avoid going into crisis.
The cost of living crisis means more people than ever before need help, advice and support regarding money. We're confident people in Kent will benefit from this free community-based service, a lifeline which makes the most of technology to help tackle money issues.
Residents in Kent now have access to free and confidential financial advice through the Kent Money Advice Hubs. Along with traditional channels such as phone and online messaging, the hubs also offer video advice kiosks in several communities, including:
- Gravesend Civic Centre, Windmill Road, Gravesend DA12 1AU
- Cliftonville Community Centre, St. Paul's Road, Margate CT9 2DB
- Aylesham BeChange, Ackholt Road, Aylesham CT3 3AJ
- Ramsgate Salvation Army Centre, 167A High Street, Ramsgate CT11 9TT
- The Willow Children's Centre, Brookfield Road, Ashford TN23 4EY
The kiosks allow residents to receive on-the-spot advice from an advisor, and they are an innovative solution for those who may not have access to digital channels.
To arrange an appointment, residents can visit www.kentmoneyadvicehub.com or contact the Money Advice Hub on 0800 808 5622.
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