People struggling with poverty in Rutland told help is always available
It comes as this week marks Challenge Poverty Week
People in Rutland who are struggling with poverty have been told "not to sit in silence" and that "there is always help available".
It comes as this week marks Challenge Poverty Week, which aims to raise voices in unison against poverty, end the stigma around it, show what is being done at community level to alleviate poverty and build awareness.
Emma Jefferson, duty advice manager at Citizens Advice Rutland, told Greatest Hits Radio:
"People do feel stigmatised if they are up against it and they might have to perhaps approach a food bank for the first time in their lives.
"But it's not something, certainly at Citizens Advice, we treat everybody the same and everyone hits hard times now and then.
"So we are definitely here for whatever situation people find themselves in."
She also said there is a variety of support available, such as:
-Breathing Space, which is a new initiative whereby debts cannot be collected for 60 days
-Crisis funds, which is a fund from Rutland County Council
-Food banks.
Emma had this message for anybody who is struggling:
"Please don't sit there in silence on your own.
"There is always help available.
"We have so many people come to us who are just amazed at what is possible.
"It's just engaging and opening up and letting people in to see what help is there because there is a lot of support out there."
People can find out more about the support available, and contact Citizens Advice Rutland, online.