AN INTERACTIVE help and information service for people with debt or money worries has been launched by Stirling Council. 

Through a webchat, trained agents from charity Money Advice Scotland will be able to point people in the right direction for services or support and how to take the next steps.

The free and confidential service can be accessed via the Advice Services section on the council website or by clicking here.

Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Chris Kane said: “We know there will be more people facing financial difficulties at the moment due to the Covid crisis and it’s important for them to know there is support available.

“The webchat complements our existing advice services and allows residents to quickly access expert and impartial help to point them in the right direction.”

The council’s Advice Services provides free, confidential and impartial money, debt, digital inclusion and benefits advice to residents in the Stirling area.

"In the 2019/20 financial year it supported 1,856 new clients, securing them more than £4 million of additional income."

During the Covid crisis, the service has continued to support people through telephone, email and digital platforms, which have now been supplemented by the webchat tool.

Vice Convener, Maureen Bennison said: “Our Advice Services assist a large number of people in normal times but there is no doubt the effects of the pandemic will unfortunately leave more people experiencing money worries.

“The council is committed to supporting residents through these challenging times and the launch of this new interactive service is another way we can provide free and confidential support to those who need it.”

For more information on the support available from the Advice Services, head to the Stirling Council website.

To visit the Money Advice Scotland website, click here.