Month: May 2022

Mental Health and loneliness

23rd May 2022

The theme for Mental Health Awareness 2022 was loneliness.

Loneliness comes about if you feel that aren’t being understood or cared for by the people around you. Feelings of loneliness are personal and everyone’s experiences can vary.

According to Mind, financial difficulties can be one of the causes of loneliness as some people can feel guilty or ashamed for talking about their money worries.

Some research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.

If you are struggling financially, consider seeking financial support from advisory bodies such as:

Citizens Advice Bureau
Mental Health & Money Advice
StepChange
The Money Charity
Turn2us

Here is how to cope with loneliness:

1. Try to do some enjoyable things that will keep you busy such as gardening, going to the gym, jigsaws or even cooking.

2. Try to do things that will stimulate your mind such as listening to podcasts, taking a course or even talking to someone familiar.

3. Think about doing physical activity. Simply going for a walk in the park when you’re feeling overwhelmed, dancing or even doing some yoga can help tackle loneliness.

4. Try to engage with people that you meet in daily life. A simple ‘hi’ can lift your mood straight away.

5. Find people that connect with you. By finding people that have been through a similar experience to you. Interacting with people that ‘get you’ can give you a sense of belonging that may be missing.

6. Spend time with pets – they are known to help reduce stress levels as well as provide us with unconditional love and support.

7. Get professional help – Talking therapies offer a safe way to work through your feelings and thoughts without judgement. To find your local resources, you can visit the NHS website.

If you want to get more information about loneliness, visit the Mental Health Foundation website. For information on getting the link between money and mental health, visit Mind.

Suspected loan sharks arrested in Hemel Hempstead

12th May 2022

This is a press release from the Stop Loan Sharks team published on 12 May 2022

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering offences following an operation in Hemel Hempstead this week.

Officers from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and Hertfordshire Constabulary executed a search warrant at an address in the town on Tuesday, May 10.

Documentation and electronic devices were recovered during a search of the property.

A 35-year-old woman and 40-year-old man were taken into custody for questioning. They have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

The IMLT works in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards and Hertfordshire Constabulary to investigate and prosecute loan sharks.

Tony Quigley, Head of the Illegal Money Lending Team said: “We are determined to warn residents about the dangers of loan sharks, and we will work with partners to take action against them.

“Loan sharks are criminals that prey on the most vulnerable people in our communities. They trap their victims into spiralling debt and will often use intimidation and violence.

“We will not tolerate these activities in Hertfordshire and would urge anyone with information about loan sharks to report them as soon as possible.”

Mike MacGregor, Community Protection Manager at Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards, said: “We know that increases in the cost of living are putting pressure on household finances, but we would actively encourage residents to use reputable sources of finance to avoid becoming prey to loan sharks. There are a number of credit unions in Hertfordshire that offer access to low cost and reputable loans, for example the Dacorum First Credit Union based in Hemel Hempstead.”

A recent report published by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Swimming with Sharks, estimated 1.08 million people may currently owe money to loan sharks, with some lenders demanding sexual favours as repayment from borrowers.

Warning signs to indicate that you could be dealing with a loan shark include giving no paperwork upon the agreement of a loan, refusing to give detailed information about a loan, intimidation and threats, taking items such as a bank card or passport until the debt is paid, and taking things from you if you do not pay on time.

Local residents, charities, community and voluntary groups, schools and statutory agencies can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for activities that highlight the dangers of loan sharks.

The Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund is made available from money seized from convicted loan sharks under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Organisations will need to demonstrate the positive impact their project would have on their community and how it will help tackle loan sharks.

Find out more about the grants and apply at www.stoploansharks.co.uk/poca-funding/

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 30 June 2022.

Anyone with concerns about illegal money lending can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline in confidence on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

 

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For media enquiries, please contact IMLT Press Officer Holly-Leigh Carr on 07703 373535 or email Holly.Carr@birmingham.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

The Illegal Money Lending Teams in England, Scotland and Wales work alongside the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to investigate those operating within the consumer credit market without the appropriate authorisation.

The Illegal Money Lending Teams in England and Wales work in partnership with local Trading Standards Authorities in their related countries. They consist of specialist officers who investigate and prosecute illegal money lending and related activity and LIAISE officers who support victims and raise awareness of the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders.