OVER-50s on an Oxford estate are to be offered a new lifeline service which could help them improve their finances and manage their debt.

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre is now offering free drop-in sessions to anyone over the age of 50 at the Clockhouse Community Centre in Long Ground, Greater Leys.

Expert advisors will be on hand to help with financial issues, including managing benefit and consumer debt, sorting out housing problems and dealing with bankruptcy.

They can also find out, in just 20 minutes, if clients are entitled to more benefits or pensions credits, if they have the right paperwork, and can guide people to agencies who can help with employment problems.

The first session will be on January 31, but Outreach money advice worker Jackie Knight, who will run the events, went to the Clockhouse this week to meet local people.

She said: “A lot of people over 50 tend to keep their business to themselves and don’t want to come up to the local advice centre.

“In the olden days people were brought up to deal with problems themselves.

“We want them to know there is help for people of any age.”

Eight residents joined a meeting with Mrs Knight, to hear what the service will offer, and raised fears on such issues as the withdrawal of free bus passes, the loss of libraries and reductions to benefits and pensions.

She said: “We aren’t fully aware of what the Government changes will be yet but once its finalised we can explain it a bit more to people.

“A lot of people are worried they are going to be worse off with the changes.”

Mrs Knight recalled helping one man in his 70s, who had been living in his car for two months who she managed to find sheltered accommodation after he turned to the centre for help.

Mrs Knight, who became an advisor when she and her husband received help from centre founder and late Blackbird Leys resident Agnes Smith, said many residents came to the centre shouldering huge debt, from £750 to over £120,000.

Advisors can sometimes negotiate with creditors to reduce or postpone the debt as well as guide people on how to cut it down.

The free and confidential sessions will be held on the last Monday of every month between 10am and 12pm. The first is on January 31, followed by one on February 28.

For more details call the Clockhouse on 01865 395908 or Agnes Smith Advice Centre on 01865 770206.