A NEW project offering training to help people in South East Cornwall to manage their own money and provide support to others in their local community is being launched.

The aim of the Economic Wellbeing project is to help lessen the risk of rising household debt by providing local people with practical training, mentoring and, where necessary, access to specialist debt advice.

The project is being led by East Cornwall CAB Initiative (ECCABI) in partnership with Liskeard and Torpoint Children's Centres.

Project manager John Ede said: 'The average household debt in Cornwall is around £15,793 and we know that more and more people are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living

'The planned changes to benefits, which are coming into effect, are also likely to increase the number of families and households under financial stress.

'We need to identify these households as early as possible and help improve their quality of life by giving them the skills and ability to manage their budgets and debts.  This will, in turn, help to improve the local economy by reducing the amount of money paid on interest payments on non-priority debts'.

The pilot project will offer a range of courses aimed at giving people the knowledge, skills, ability and confidence to manage their money. 

As the Local Action Group, which is funding the programme, is nearing the end of its funding programme, it is keen to leave a long-term legacy.  This pilot project offers the opportunity to improve the local economy by reducing the outflow of money in interest payments on non-priority debts, as well as improving the quality of life in the local areas.

Further information is available from Torpoint Children's Centre on 01752 816569 or Liskeard Children's Centre on 01579 349157.