Surviving Financial Abuse
Promoting Financial Inclusion: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse

On Thursday 12th May 2011 The Haven Wolverhampton hosted its first ever conference aimed at raising awareness of financial abuse.

The event was held at Wolverhampton Science Park and attended by 102 delegates with representation from various support agencies across the UK including Wolverhampton City Council, Wolverhampton Homes, Wolverhampton Credit Union, The Citizens Advice Bureau, The Nationwide Foundation, Natwest Bank, Mencap and many more. The conference was charied by Ann Dawson, Chair of The Haven Board and featured a key note speech from Joanne Lancaster, Assistant Chief Executive of Wolverhampton City Council, on the work being done to address Financial Inclusion in the City of Wolverhampton. The event also featured a short play called ‘Soulmates’ which was performed by Zip Theatre.

A selection of speakers presented at the event including:

Joanne Lancaster – Assistant Chief Executive, Wolverhampton City Council:  Towards Developing a Multi Agency Approach to Financial Inclusion

Grace Lee – Public Relations Officer, The Haven Wolverhampton: Overview of Domestic Violence and The Haven Wolverhampton

Tracy Groom – Financial Inclusion Project Coordinator, The Haven Wolverhampton:  Overview of Financial Abuse and The Haven Financial Inclusion Project

Carl Bishop – Local Area Manager, Nat West Bank: How banks can help victims of Domestic Violence

Colleen McCrystal – Former Haven Service User: Financial Abuse – My Story

Jeremy Vanes – Chief Executive, and Craig Alford – Financial Inclusion Coordinator, Citizens Advice Bureau Wolverhampton: Financial Inclusion in Wolverhampton

Susan Cassar – Regional Manager, Money Made Clear: Managing Money Effectively

Chris Connors – Financial Inclusion Partnership Officer, Birmingham City Council: Illegal Lending – Keeping the Loan Sharks at Bay

The conference speakers covered a wide range of topics which generated discussion amongst audience members. In particular a very moving and inspirational speech from Colleen McCrystal bought home the reality of financial abuse which she herself decsribed as ‘the silent killer’.

Download the event programme here

Delegate Feedback
The Haven received some excellent feedback following the conference including:

All the speeches were informative and positive

I feel more inspired to get my team to engage with customers

An excellent presentation with a variety of speakers. Very informative and interesting

Thank you for today’s event. Very helpful and informative topic

The opening drama was fantastic. You had my total interest throughout the whole conference.

For more information on The Haven Wolverhampton Financial Inclusion Project visit www.havenrefuge.org.uk/fi