South Ayrshire Market Place, Money Advice

Stepping Stones for Families’ Carrick Money Advice Service (CMAS) headed down to Ayr’s County Buildings recently to join other third sector services and projects, at Voluntary Action South Ayrshire’s Market Place event!

The day proved to be an excellent opportunity to meet other projects and community leaders from across Ayrshire. We welcomed visitors to our stall, sharing with them the remarkable work of our CMAS, as it supports children and families across the Carrick areas.

In the last year alone, CMAS has independently realised almost *£1 million back into the rural Ayrshire economy. The service was accessed by 192 parents, and 113 young people (up to the age of 24). Over £40,000 worth of debts have also been re-negotiated.

CMAS is also concerned with preventing repeated financial crisis, we seek to disrupt the “revolving door” scenario that some families can find themselves falling in to, particularly when circumstances are challenging.

We have found over time, that many families can succeed in overcoming one financial crisis only to experience another, sometimes within a relatively short space of time. As an organisation, we know that this and the associated physical and emotional impact of financial crisis, is preventable.

Through the incredible support of William Grant Youth Opportunities Fund administered by Foundation Scotland; our wrap-around family support service works in tandem with money advice interventions. The focus being on building relationships with families and providing them with the knowledge, support, networks and resources they need to sustain the positive changes they make in their lives.

If you are a parent, child or young person (up to the age of 24) living in the Carrick area, and you are experiencing money worries, or financial hardship, you can contact CMAS on 01465 712637.

*£812,611 is actual figure realised back into the rural economy.