Keep out the Cold this Winter

Ballyhackamore Credit Union has just announced a new initiative designed to help people deal with the predicted upcoming winter cold snap.

Members of this Credit Union will be entitled to take out a £500 Winter Fuel Loan to help ease the costs of keeping their homes warm in the coming months. The loan must be paid back within six months, at the rate of £19.85 per week. This means that so long as it is repaid on time, the loan will only cost borrowers a total of £16.10.

To become a member of Ballyhackamore Credit Union you must pay £1 membership fee and place £5 in savings and live or work within the BT5, BT16 or parts of BT4 areas. The Winter Fuel Loan is available immediately on joining. For more information please visit the Ballyhackamore Credit Union website at www.bhcu.co.uk

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland’s Chief Executive Derek Alcorn appeared on BBC Newsline last night to discuss the initiative and Fuel Poverty in general.

Derek said “This initiative is a great idea. One thing we as an organisation have been saying is that part of the solution to the fuel poverty problem lies outside government and this type of initiative demonstrates that”.

While expressing concern over the fact that the level of this year’s winter fuel payment has been reduced he added “Social security payments aren’t in the Executive’s control, their levels are set in London, consequently we have to look to this kind of initiative for this coming winter.”

To watch the full interview with Derek, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b015j3r4/BBC_Newsline_06_10_2011/.

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland fully supports community initiatives such as this and hope to see more community groups, churches and sporting facilities opening their doors and providing “warm centres” for those in need this winter.