Libraries NI is pleased to announce that Dungiven Library (74 Main Street) is holding a Beat the Recession Roadshow, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, on Wednesday 9th March.

The project aims to support individuals and families struggling financially due to loss of income and changed circumstances as a result of the economic downturn. If you would like to find out more, you can call into the library on Wednesday 9th March, from 2.00pm – 7.00pm.

Trained advisers will be in the library to provide free, confidential and impartial information and advice on money and debt issues. Representatives from NI Direct (www.nidirect.gov.uk) will be there on the day to offer you advice and show you how to access government advice and services on their website, such as information on health, education and employment.

This Beat the Recession project is being supported by a range of Advice organisations, such as Advice NI and the Law Centre NI, working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, to help those affected by the recession across Northern Ireland. This initiative is funded by the Big Lottery to the value of almost £800,000.

A Mobile Debt Advice Unit will visit venues, such as Libraries, TESCO stores and other community venues, and Dungiven is one of several Northern Ireland libraries to welcome this Roadshow to allow local people to call in and seek advice, at a time when so many people are being impacted by the recession and dramatically increasing the demand for advice services.

As part of the project, Citizens Advice has also set up a website offering a live out of hours on line support chat room where people can chat directly with a trained Money Adviser, self-help information and guidance (www.beattherecession.me).

Advice NI (www.adviceni.net) will offer free legal representation for people facing repossession in court, help for people facing redundancy or cuts in hours, targeted support for people in areas that have been most affected by the recession, and they will work with community champions who will make people aware of the support that’s available.

The Law Centre NI will provide a link through to specialist legal advice on employment law for those facing redundancy or reduced working hours (www.lawcentreni.org), and both Citizens Advice and Advice NI are offering people telephone advice on money and debt issues.

With free library membership and free internet use for all members, you can make use of the computer facilities in any library to access the Beat the Recession and other websites, to gain information and financial advice.

Josephine Patten, Information Manager with Libraries NI explains:

“Libraries NI is delighted to host a range of Beat the Recession workshops across Northern Ireland to allow people to call into their local libraries and avail of a free advice package, which has been designed to support people and families struggling financially because of loss of income and changed circumstances that have come about as a result of the recession. If you’d like to find out more about how this initiative can help you to Beat the Recession, you’re welcome to call into Dungiven Library on Wednesday 9th March, from 2.00pm – 7.00pm.”

For further information, contact Dungiven Library (74 Main Street) on telephone number 028 7774 1475, email dungiven.library@librariesni.org.uk or go to www.librariesni.org.uk