debt - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T10:50:58Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/debtLandscape Gardener faces homelessnesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscape-gardener-faces-homelessness2012-06-06T13:30:00.000Z2012-06-06T13:30:00.000ZLindsey Churchillhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LindseyChurchill<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" width="217"/></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Thank you for reading “<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/groundsman-in-crisis" target="_blank">Groundsman in Crisis</a>” today I want to introduce you to Sam who we met earlier this year.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam is a well-respected landscape gardener whose work has featured in the trade press so some details have been changed to protect his identity but, as always, the case is sadly true.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam was contracted to design and build a high profile, public, wonderfully ornate garden and was thrilled at the opportunity and the outcome. He was awaiting payment for the project when he learnt that the client had gone into liquidation, he was to receive nothing for his efforts.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Unable to pay his suppliers he fell into serious debt and after 25 years in business he was forced to fold. The stress and anxiety that Sam experienced, sadly, has resulted in him beginning unable to return to any form of work since.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam was told about Perennial by another agency who thought we might be able to provide a grant to repair his bathroom. We visited Sam and talked to him about his finances and he told us about his personal debts, it quickly became clear that urgent action was required as he had been selling all his possessions to pay his creditors and now had nothing left to offer them, he was at serious risk of losing his home.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Our Debt Advice Manager was contacted and she immediately began work, knowing only too well that the charging orders that had been applied to his property and the intention of one creditor to enforce bankruptcy meant that one missed payment would result in homelessness.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The creditors were all immediately contacted and negotiations began to reduce the monthly payments. Understandings were reached that, with a respected debt adviser working alongside him, no further action would be taken against Sam as long as negotiated payments are maintained.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The complexities of this case and the delicate mental health of the client are such that it is being managed by two senior staff, our Casework Manager and our Debt Advice Manager, who, alternately visit Sam monthly, working together with him to maximise his income, reduce his expenditure, assist with budgeting and deal swiftly with any problems as they arise. Working to an agreed plan, we believe Sam has a real chance of retaining his property and returning to work as a landscape gardener within the next 12 months.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">We meet people like Sam every day, we know that there are many more that struggle on because they are ashamed of their situation. There is no need to be alone in this, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Our debt team do not judge and I promise you will feel better just for talking to them.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">If you would like help or further information about our totally free and confidential debt advice service please do not hesitate to contact me. </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">lchurchill@perennial.org.uk</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">01275 817924 / 07813 148810</span></p></div>Perennial - What we dohttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/perennial-what-we-do2012-05-04T14:29:43.000Z2012-05-04T14:29:43.000ZLindsey Churchillhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LindseyChurchill<div><p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" width="217"/></a></p><p>As I write 15 Perennial staff across the country will be helping colleagues in horticultural trades as they face some of lifes toughest challenges.</p><p>We have 11 caseworkers and 4 debt advisors who are professional, friendly and non judgemental and happy to help whether you are facing sudden loss of income through redundancy or major illness, disadvantaged by disability or family circumstances or overwhelmed by personal debt, these are just some of the circumstances which bring people to us.</p><p>Our caseworkers can help you with claiming or challenging benefits and tax credits decisions, we are all fully trained so whether you need help working out what you are entitled to or you need representation at a Social Security tribunal, we have someone in your area that can help you.</p><p>We also help with ensuring that people can access the help that they are entitled to from other government departments. Particularly relevant if you are suddenly facing living with a disability or life changing illness or maybe you are juggling working with a caring repsonsibility. We understand that getting the help and equipment that you need can be tough, we can help with that and where state help isn't available we may be able to help with a grant from our funds.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117973?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="75" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117973?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="75" height="112"/></a></p><p>Our debt advisors can help with personal debt, negotition with creditors, dealing with county court judgements, bankruptcy and debt relief orders etc and there is no charge - not even hidden in the small print!</p><p>We help the whole family, we love being able to help the children of horticulturists since merging with the Royal Fund for Gardeners Children.</p><p>There is no typical client, we deal with individuals with individual problems and we respect that, our aim is to help you to find a way forward and we will work with you for as long as is needed to either solve your problem or until the best possible outcome has been acheived.</p><p>For more information please contact me <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:lchurchill@perennial.org.uk">lchurchill@perennial.org.uk</a> or to access our services please call 0845 230 1839.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>