Financial Counselling
The Financial Counselling service aims to empower people, particularly
those who are disadvantaged, to effectively manage their
own financial affairs. It also seeks to redress the imbalance
of power between people and systems by lobbying for change
to government regulations, financial institution policy and
community attitudes.
Financial counselling has
a long history at UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide. The
Central Mission Credit Union was opened in 1973 to give several
UnitingCare
Wesley Adelaide welfare
clients the opportunity to take charge of their own financial
affairs. Eventually the
Credit Union expanded and became independent of UnitingCare
Wesley Adelaide. It is
now part of Australian Central Credit Union.
A manager was appointed to the Financial Counselling Service
in April 1984. Prior to this service, budgeting advice had
been offered by Lifeline but there was a need for face to face
counselling and support that could not be offered by a telephone
service.
In February 1996 an outreach was opened at the Lynay Centre,
Blakeview for clients from Elizabeth to Gawler.
Since its opening the Financial Counselling Service has challenged
malpractices and lobbied the government regarding changes in
legislation and service provision which effect our clients.
We also host the Senior Resource Worker for financial counselling
in South Australia.
Financial Counselling is available to anyone, although the
service focuses mainly upon low income and disadvantaged
people.
The Financial Counselling Service relies on donations to
UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide to ensure that its deficit
is covered.
The Financial Counselling Service conducts an average of 68
interviews each month.
The work of Financial Counselling is vast, covering budgeting
advice advocacy, and community education.
Counsellors support clients through the trauma
of bankruptcy, and intervene with creditors to negotiate
satisfactory arrangements.
The service also pressures for changes to legislation and
government policy.
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