For your information Parking to pest control, housing to hate crime turn to pages 14 & 15 Useful information ’Tis the season to borrow lolly? LAST Christmas, reports claimed that a staggering 50 per cent of consumers found themselves turning to some form of credit to make ends meet over the festive period. As the shopping season begins, what is for some people a time of goodwill and cheer can be financially trying for others. With many cash-strapped families unable to access traditional forms of credit, they are finding themselves turning to new short-term forms of lending, such as payday loans. The Financial Ombudsman Service – which provides free help to sort out financial complaints – has heard from more than 2,000 people with a payday loan problem so far this year. However, it’s concerned that this is the tip of the iceberg as the holiday period approaches. With often extremely high interest rates, hidden charges and dodgy debt collection practices, borrowing money in the short term can come at a cost. Here are four tips to prevent you getting into trouble if you do take one out: Read the terms and conditions While it can be tempting to sidestep the finer details of a loan when you need money in a hurry, remember that the interest rate and charges on a payday loan can be much higher than a traditional loan and you can end up repaying much more than you thought. It is important to know what you’re signing up to and what you are expected to pay so you avoid any nasty surprises. Difficulties If you have a payday loan that you are finding it a struggle to repay, speak to the business which gave it to you – they should be able to help. A business is required to do something. There is no set ‘help’ that the business should offer and, while it isn’t required to refund any charges, it should be able to implement a repayment plan or suspend interest on your account, but it may only do this if you tell it you’re struggling first. Bogus brokers Since the start of the year, thousands of people have contacted the ombudsman complaining that payday loan middlemen drained money from their account. In fact, people who use ‘credit broking’ websites to source a loan have seen their money taken without having even taken a loan. Lots of people didn’t realise they were signing up for a payday loan middleman service – they thought they were applying for a loan directly. So, if you’re signing up for a loan online, be wary about when and who you share your details with. Think twice Payday loans should always be treated with caution and there are debt advice agencies that may be able to offer you help in finding a long-term solution to any money worries you have. Organisations such as StepChange can offer this advice for free on 0800 138 1111 or you can visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau. With Christmas approaching, it’s important not to feel trapped. Money problems affect everyone, so don’t bury your head in the sand or let things spiral out of control if you’re in trouble. Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for help by calling 0800 0234 567 or send a tweet @financialombuds The high cost of borrowing With often extremely high interest rates, hidden charges and dodgy debt collection practices, borrowing money in the short term can come at a cost. see below Chemist rota Pharmacists in Tower Hamlets with extended opening hours. E1 ABC Drug Stores, 12-14 Montague Street: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm. Beck & Sherman, 197 Whitechapel Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, bank holidays 11am-1pm. Sainsbury’s, The Albion Brewery: Mon-Fri 8.30am- 10pm, Sat 7.30am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Chapel, 139 Cannon Street: Mon- Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm. E2 Fairdale, 360 Bethnal Green Road: Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 9am-6.30pm, Thurs 9am-1pm, Sat 9am-6pm, bank holidays 11am-2pm. Florida, 307 Bethnal Green Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, bank holidays 11am-2pm. E3 Bell, 534 Roman Road: Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 10am-2pm. Forward, 648 Mile End Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am- 6pm, Sun and bank holidays 10am-6pm. Green Light, St Andrew’s Health Centre, 2 Hannaford Walk: 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Lincoln, 60 St Paul’s Way: Mon, Tues, Weds 8am-8pm, Thurs, Fri, 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Tesco, Hancock Road: Mon 8am-10.30pm, Tues-Fri 6.30am-10.30pm, Sat 6.30am- 10pm, Sun 11am-4pm. E14 Boots, Unit 15, Jubilee Place: Mon-Fri 7am-midnight, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Britannia (Perimart), Asda Precinct, East Ferry Road: Mon- Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-4pm, bank holidays 11am-6pm. Doctors Please ring your doctor’s surgery for an appointment, but if it’s the weekend or late at night, call 7377 7151 (only for people in Tower Hamlets who are registered with a doctor). To find a doctor, dentist or help to quit smoking call the health hotline on 7364 5016, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 8am-4pm. Advice East London Parkinson’s Support Group For people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers. Meets third Weds each month, 11am- 12pm at John Scurr Community Centre, 1A Bekesbourne St, E14. 0844 225 3704/0808 800 0303 Family Information Service (FIS) The Family Information Service provides information for people from birth to age 19 including helping parents and carers find childcare, advice on tax credits and childcare vouchers. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm. 30 Greatorex Street, E1. fis@towerhamlets.gov.uk 7364 6495 Alzheimer’s Society Tower Hamlets Advice and help for carers and people with dementia. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Robinson Centre, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, E1. 8121 5626 Tower Hamlets Advocacy Project Independent advocates for adults with learning disabilities. Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm. Gladstone Place, 1 Ewart Place, E3. 7364 2550/2199 Parents Advice Centre (PAC) Offers advice around special educational needs (SEN). 30 Greatorex Street, E1. Drop-in sessions every Tues & Fri, 9:30am-3.30pm. 364 6489 LinkAge Plus An initiative of the Department for Work and Pensions. Toynbee Hall is one of five centres that coordinates services and activities provided. Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm, dropin session for advice on benefits, pensions, employment and housing. Appointments necessary. Mon 9am-5pm, Bangladeshi group. Toynbee Hall, Commercial Street, E1 7392 2914 www.toynbeehall.org.uk Free Advice Benefits, housing, immigration. Bengali speakers, home visits to house-bound. Weds, 10.30am- 12.30pm, Island House, Roserton Street, E14. Thurs, 1-3pm, Splash, Will Crooks Estate, Poplar High Street, E14. 7987 9379 Skillsmatch Free advice on all aspects of employment including training, apprenticeships and job vacancies. Canary Wharf Recruitment & Training Centre, 55 Upper Bank Street, E14. 7364 3727 or email skillsmatch @towerhamlets.gov.uk Tower Hamlets National Childbirth Trust Offers support, information and friendship to parents and parents-to-be. Regular events. 07976 710964 or towerhamletsnct@yahoo.com www.nct.org.uk Breastfeeding Support Centres Mon 11am-1pm Wapping Children’s Centre, 15 Chandler St, E1.Weds 12.30-2.30pm, Collingwood Children’s Centre, Buckhurst St, E1. Fri 12.30- 2.30pm, Overland Children’s Centre, 60 Parnell Rd, E3. Sun 2-4pm Barkantine Birth Centre, 121 Westferry Rd, E14. 3594 2591 or 07961 609 626 Free home fire safety advice From the London Fire Brigade 08000 28 44 28 Careers advice Tower Hamlets Careers Service Careers advice for ages 13-19 (up to 25 SEN). Mon-Fri, 1pm-5pm. Appointments available. Careers Centre, 35 Bow Road, E3. 7364 1401 TH Lifelong Learning Mon-Thurs, 10am-4pm. Shadwell Centre, 455 The Highway, E1. Careers advice Support from Civic Enterprise Clubs Co-operative. Tues & Thurs, 1-4pm & 6-9pm Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2. 07432 463343 Photo order form Copies of pictures published in East End Life taken by council photographers are available to readers. To request a copy, email eastendlife.news@towerhamlets.gov.uk and we can send it straight away. If you do not have access to email fill in this form and send it to Photos, East End Life, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, Poplar, E14 2BG. This service does take longer. Name Address Issue no. Page no. Tips from the Financial Ombudsman Service NEWS FR 8 OM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 10 – 16 NOVEMBER 2014
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