HELP is available for those struggling with debt in Dorchester.

Dorchester mayor, Cllr Janet Hewitt, joined charity Dorchester Poverty Action at its July coffee morning to launch their recently-updated debt leaflet.

The coffee morning also raised more than £1,000 to provide grants to local people in DT1 and DT2 by referral from local caring agencies such as Citizens Advice, health visitors, tenancy support officers, social workers, GP surgeries, and local charities.

Charity chairman, Wendy Hilton, said: “Over the past few months the number of grant requests have trebled with the current financial situation. Many people who would not normally be short of money are finding it much more difficult to make ends meet. To prevent local people getting into debt this leaflet contains information about local organisations that can offer help and advice.”

Do you only make the minimum payment on your credit card? Do you regularly receive a high number of bank charges, rely on payday loans to get by each month, or are you kept awake worrying about your debts? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you could be heading for a debt crisis in the near future. Please get some financial advice as soon as possible. Leaflets are available at Dorchester Library and most of the local churches.

If you are part of an agency and would like to know more about referring clients for a grant, or, you would like to make a donation go to dorchesterpovertyaction.org.uk