Perspective: Life today

Indebtedness is entangled in many of today’s most persistent social problems. It leads to or exacerbates unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and poor diet. As a driver and symptom of deprivation, it even contributes to reduced life expectancy.
So, when the Rotary Club of Folkestone along with its three international partner Clubs decided to set up a project to tackle indebtedness in its hometown, it seemed like an obviously good idea. Government agencies, charities and community groups were all in favour.
But delivering the project turned out to be littered with obstacles. Charities and agencies alike lacked resources, and both practical and ideological barriers hindered the cooperation necessary to achieve effective synergy.
It took Motivation, Adaptability and Perseverance throughout a six-year period to translate good intentions into the ‘Money Matters’ service. Now, three years after its first part-time employee started work, professionally prepared money advice plans (or MAPs) and support from trained volunteers are being provided each year to fifty of those in need of support and advice. And Folkestone Rotary Club has drawn a map showing how to generate the conditions for charities to cooperate in tackling the challenge of unmanageable household debt.