Sean*, an older gentleman living alone in a council flat, faced an uncertain financial situation. His struggles came to light when he crossed paths with one of our mentors.
In an honest conversation, Sean expressed his financial stress. Our mentor, Toni* was keen to offer support and encouraged Sean to reach out to the Presbyterian Support office, a step he hesitantly took.
Sean’s financial burdens included arrears in power bills, Meals on Wheels expenses, rent, medical bills, and pharmacy fees.
Additionally, he had been lured into a questionable hire purchase agreement for a mobile phone by a door-to-door salesperson, a commitment he could not afford. This agreement was found to be invalid due to false and misleading information, coupled with a lack of credit checks.
Overwhelmed by the situation, Sean turned to Toni for assistance, who took the initiative to confront the salesperson. Initially resistant, the salesperson eventually relented when confronted with the inaccuracies and lack of due diligence, agreeing to take back the mobile phone at no cost to Sean.
Toni helped Sean craft a budget which he carefully adhered to over several weeks. The positive change became real. He began to take pride in his appearance and gradually found clarity in managing his finances.
With a well-structured cash flow and the introduction of automatic payments, Sean’s world transformed, and his spirits lifted!
