Clacton: Pensioners cash-in on advice

From the archive, first published Thursday 12th Apr 2007.

PENSIONERS left without vital financial advice following the closure of a charity have been given a boost by the launch of a new service.

More than 50 people turned out to the launch of the programme, which is being organsied by Help the Aged and Barclays, at Sam's Hall, in Rosemary Road, Clacton.

The free money management and debt advice service for over 60s, which was opened by Tendring Council chairman Robert Taylor, is part of the bank's Your Money Matters programme, which aims to encourage pensioners to look after their cash.

The much-needed service follows the closure of the North Essex Advocacy Team (NEAT) in January, after vital funds from North Essex Primary Care Trust were cut.

NEAT volunteers warned the closure would lead to a "surge of crime and abuse" against the elderly.

Debra Vickers, Help the Aged's regional team manager for the south, said Clacton was picked as one of 18 towns to take part in Barclays' £1.8 million project because of the problems suffered by the closure of NEAT.

She said: "One of reasons Clacton was chosen for the programme was the closure of the service, which we discovered following research.

"We will now be holding awareness sessions at different venues across the area.

"We will be going into community groups, over 60s clubs, sheltered housing and other places where the elderly meet."

The new service has been set up to encourage pensioners to keep their money safe as well as help them with debt advice and to understand new technologies such as chip and pin and using cash points.