News Articles

In November 2017, the Northern Ireland Bankruptcy Legislation change and one of these changes meant that a creditor cannot apply to petition a client for personal bankruptcy if the debt is under £5k.

The Open Banking initiative commences on 13th January 2018 and was created by the Competition and Marketing Authority, who identified many customers are paying more than they should for their banking activities. 

My monthly goals are set for the New Year before Big Ben chimes on New Year’s Eve.  Typically, I set small achievable goals for different areas in my life, so I see small results and I don’t fail by first week in February.  I still like you, assist clients set goals with budgets every day

Michael Lyttle explains how the impact of recession, welfare reform, spending cuts and unemployment is severely effecting the already disadvantaged members of society that we serve. Michael explains some superb Apex initiatives. 

Financial Capability refers to our ability to manage money well day to day, prepare for and manage life events, and deal with financial difficulties. It also focuses on our financial skills and knowledge as well as our attitudes and motivation.

Sometimes useful and sometimes harmful for individuals with short term cash flow issues...... overdrafts explained in a little detail.

More vulnerable, poorer borrowers who maybe have zero-hour contacts or self-employed, part time work will be less able to repay the lump sum of their mortgage are likely to be seeking advice, which is why the FCA is ramping up efforts to encourage banks and borrower seek new arrangements.

On 9 March 2018, legislation was introduced which allows us to test a new payment plan.

TRIGGER FIGURES TO BE USED FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON AND FROM 1ST MAY 2018

Gambling is not an allowable expense for a person entering into a Debt Relief Order, however how does it impact on the self-employed people who earn their income from a form of investing? 

Specialist Support has seen an increase in queries from debt advisers regarding clients owing to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) creditors.

Sands Northern Ireland Network (SandsNI) is the regional branch of SandsUK. Sands was founded in 1978 by a small group of bereaved parents devastated by the death of their babies and in particular what they felt was a complete lack of knowledge and understanding of the significance and impact of their loss. Sands has around 100 support groups across the UK with 10 of these in Northern Ireland. All the support groups are run by trained Sands Befrienders who are bereaved parents themselves and have been supported through their grief by Sands and are now giving that support back to other parents. Steven Guy, SandsNI Network Co-ordinator saysSandsNI provides support to bereaved parents through our monthly support evenings where parents can chat informally over a cup of tea or coffee about how they are coping with their loss. We also provide every maternity & neonatal unit in Northern Ireland with Sands leaflet packs and Memory Boxes. The Memory Boxes include a hand-knit blanket, 2(Identical) teddy bears, one for baby, one for the parents and an inkless hand & footprint kit. The boxes encourage parents to create as many memories of their baby as possible in the short time they have with them. Training, accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, is also provided to health professionals and is delivered by the SandsUK team of facilitators. We also support research into the causes of baby deaths and in 2014 £50,000 was donated by SandsNI to fund several SandsUK projects. We have a NI Helpline 07740993450 which is available during office hours for parents to speak to someone about their loss. We have a dedicated Baby Garden in Portadown where parents can lay a simple stone with their baby’s name hand-painted on it among the flowers and plants in the garden and next to the other babies stones. We also have 2 Christmas carol services, Portadown and Derry, where parents are invited to buy a toy or gift for the age their child would be each Christmas. These toys & gifts are donated to the St Vincent De Paul/ Salvation Army toy appeal. Everything we do is funded by the fundraising efforts of the parents we support and we are extremely grateful to everyone who fundraises for us because without their efforts we could not continue to support the parents who are bereaved every year in Northern Ireland.