ADVICE on how to avoid financial abuse was given by a local mental health organisation during an awareness day at Freeman Street Market in Grimsby.
Community Voice, a group of service users who provide a link between the local safeguarding adults team and members of the community, chose the issue as the theme for its annual summer awareness event.
Volunteers manned a stall providing advice to vulnerable people on how to avoid loan sharks and rogue traders, as well as general advice on looking after your money and ensuring you get the correct change. Bob Abbey, chairman of Community Voice, said: "A lot of financial abuse is unseen and it is difficult to stop it happening. We are encouraging people to be aware of what is going on around them. Our advice is really think about what you are doing with your money and just be careful."
Mr Abbey added that Community Voice, a subgroup of Accord, which represents NHS patients in North East Lincolnshire, was planning to register as a charity and increase its visibility within the local community.
A sponsor is currently being sought.
For more information about Community Voice, call 0300 3000 567 or e-mail nyhcsu.accord@nhs.net.
