An outreach service which offers lifeline financial advice to people needing help and support in the cost of living crisis has had its contract extended thanks to a Leeds City Council grant.
Money Buddies Outreach service will operate for at least the next 12 months across 14 venues in Leeds, including in West Leeds.
But the number of community venues it operates from has been reduced from 22 due to less funding, and a council report says there is no additional match funding is available from council resources for the 2024/25 financial year.
Outreach will be delivered weekly from 10 sites and alternate weeks from four sites.
The report said the £125,000 grant would come from the council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It added: “Consideration has been given to maintain delivery in areas of most need and with the highest number of clients receiving advice, with an aim to have venues that cover priority neighbourhoods, and areas which contain several neighbourhoods that are highly ranked on the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
“In addition, at least one service has been maintained in each area committee area, with elected members being consulted of these changes.”
Money Buddies supported 1,714 people during 2023/24.
Services will continue to run from Armley Community Hub on Tuesdays, Bramley Community hub on Wednesdays and Pudsey Community Hub on a Friday. The full outreach calendar can be found here.
Sessions in Farsley, Hawksworth Wood and at Farnley Community Centre will no longer continue.
The council has awarded Burmantofts Community Centre £125,000 to deliver the service.
The full report can be read in full here.
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