A message from Advice NI CEO Bob Stronge
We are nearing the end of 2020, a year that I am sure most of us would rather forget.
As we move into 2021 we at least have the prospect of a vaccine and some return to a semblance of normality – even if that is a ‘new normal’! On reflecting on the past year I have been overwhelmed by the agility, commitment and sheer hard work of the advice sector in responding to the many challenges resulting from the Covid19 pandemic. The sector has continued to provide vital services and interventions on behalf of people facing distress of one kind or another including; help with food, medicines, social security and advice on employment, housing and other issues. Advisors have had a crucial role to play and they have been working flat out to ensure that people’s worries, concerns and issues are addressed and that, as far as possible, business as usual services have been maintained. This has been a stressful time for many of them and they all deserve our admiration and respect for the vital contribution that they have made – many people would be worse off without their dedication and care.
As we look to the new year there may be even greater challenges ahead as a consequence of Covid19. The legacy of the pandemic will take time to filter out and we are already seeing this in our economy with rising unemployment and redundancy figures, the continued collapse of our high street retail and hospitality and the rising levels of personal and business debt. There may well be unknown effects yet to emerge. On top of this we will have Brexit, hard or soft! Come what may it will also have its impacts for which we need to prepare.
Advice NI will do its best to support all our members to respond to the coming challenges through the continuing development of our membership support services whether that’s training, policy, IT, quality or specialist support. These are in place to support you, as are the staff in Advice NI, so please engage with us and if there are ideas or initiatives you would like discuss please get in touch.
After such a tough year I think we will all be glad to get a bit of time off over Christmas to relax and recharge our batteries. I intend too and I sincerely hope you can too! Have a great Christmas and let’s hope that things turn for the better in 2021.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.
Bob Stronge
Chief Executive
As we look to the new year there may be even greater challenges ahead as a consequence of Covid19. The legacy of the pandemic will take time to filter out and we are already seeing this in our economy with rising unemployment and redundancy figures, the continued collapse of our high street retail and hospitality and the rising levels of personal and business debt. There may well be unknown effects yet to emerge. On top of this we will have Brexit, hard or soft! Come what may it will also have its impacts for which we need to prepare.
Advice NI will do its best to support all our members to respond to the coming challenges through the continuing development of our membership support services whether that’s training, policy, IT, quality or specialist support. These are in place to support you, as are the staff in Advice NI, so please engage with us and if there are ideas or initiatives you would like discuss please get in touch.
After such a tough year I think we will all be glad to get a bit of time off over Christmas to relax and recharge our batteries. I intend too and I sincerely hope you can too! Have a great Christmas and let’s hope that things turn for the better in 2021.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.
Bob Stronge
Chief Executive