A DEBT advisor who face bankruptcy has been given a permanent home helping vulnerable people in Abergele.

Abergele District Foodbank has recruited a volunteer Stuart Farnell in a permanent role as a debt advisor position providing vital advice to clients to tackle their financial issues.

Stuart, who re-trained as a debt advisor after facing bankruptcy, has overcome his own financial difficulties and is determined to use his personal experience to help others and pass on relatable advice to anyone in the community who seeks it out.

Stuart, said: "I'll be spending an hour and a half or more interviewing clients finding out about all their finances to help them move forward– outstanding debts, income, benefits, the whole picture.

"I have previously overcome bankruptcy and so I know first-hand how tough it can be for people and what those who come to the foodbank are going through."

Already a regular volunteer at the foodbank, Stuart will now work two days a week as an employed member of the team. Whilst supplying food to those in need may offer a short-term solution, offering personal debt advice will play.

Andrew Sturgess, centre manager at Abergele foodbank, said: “Debt advice is an important aspect of our work in Abergele and the surrounding areas and so funding is absolutely vital – we couldn't have got Stuart on board without it.

"We're trying to address the reasons why people are coming to foodbanks, and either prevent them from having to come to us in the first place or nip it in the bud when they do come in to see us.”

The new role, which was made possible by Asda's Fight Hunger Create Change campaign, has enabled the foodbank to offer Mr Farnell a platform to share his expertise.

The Asda store in Rhyl have a permanent collection point, set up by the store’s community champion Lisa Harrison, which provides emergency food and support to those who need it all over North Wales.