Kate Brooks (below left with Susan Erlam right)
Director, Susan Erlam
Susan worked for the charity MACS for a number of years, and was instrumental in setting up the Social Enterprise, and the Money Guardian Service in 2005.
“From my work with the money advice charity, MACS, I know that people – often families and friends caring for people in times of crisis – don’t know who to turn to for practical assistance with their financial affairs: that is where the Money Guardians service comes in.
We need to provide support for those who want to pay for a service for themselves or a loved one. We had to turn away clients at MACS as the service was “means tested”. Only those without any significant savings could get help, but they and their families were still struggling.
The cash delivery service is especially supportive. This allows people access to their own money and can remove the conflict of interests that care givers and families often face.Kate Books
Director, Kate Brooks
Kate works full time as a Key Account Manager for an organisation based in London, and works on a volunteer basis for Money Guardians. She believes this service will become more necessary with our current economic climate as people struggle to cope.
“It is a total delight to work with Jackie Grigg and the MACS team, and I feel very confident that our Money Guardians service, using the Social Enterprise model in partnership with a local charity, extends an invaluable service out to more people in Brighton & Hove.”
Director, Money Guardians & CEO MACS, Jackie Grigg
Jackie has worked for MACS since 1996, as a Welfare Benefit Adviser, then as a Debt and Welfare Benefit case worker before being appointed Director in 2001. Prior to this she worked for Brighton Rights Advice Centre as a generalist advice worker and volunteer coordinator and before this for Advice UK (then known as Federation of Independent Advice Centres) on the Debt Support Initiative, training, developing and supporting advice centres in London. She is a Company Director of the Money Guardians and provides a link between the social enterprise and the charity.
Jackie Grigg (right) with Sue Susan Erlam (left)
“Because the work we do is a unique combination of practical functions tailored to individuals’ needs the results we see are incredibly rewarding. Its great to work for an organisation that provides such a useful service. Money Guardians is a way to offer this service to the wider public; to people who do not qualify for funded services. In our experience there are many people whose quality of life could be greatly improved with some help managing their money.”
