Photos of the month

This month we have a wonderful collection of local photos. Please send in your photos to me at June@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Photos: Wonderful Sunset - Debbie Bryan

Photos: Terry Taylor sharing wonderful photos of his amazing robins and him.

I was just contemplating how your roles in life seem to go full circle as you grow, Starting from when you are born, knowing nothing but desperate to grasp all that life is willing to show. Being so dependent on your parents, taking on so much of what they do as your own, Slowly standing on your own two feet, while putting into practice everything that you learn.

Then all too soon you are at an age, when children are part of your next adventure, Being there when they are born holding tiny feet and hands, marvelling at mother nature.

Trying to bring them up right and passing on all you know, just like your parents once did for you, Watching as they grow, suddenly understanding how much your parents really had to do.

Turning from a student to a teacher, in what seems overnight, All the time hoping and praying everything will go to plan and your children will turn out right.

Everything seems calm for a while, though the hands of time they keep turning, Then suddenly you realise its not your kids but your parents that need affirming.

Your attention switches to them as once again you are needed more and more, Slowly watching the independence fading from those you love and adore.

Finding it hard to complete tasks, that not so long ago they did for you, Seeing their new vulnerability progress as they as a parent, slowly slip from view.

Time still marches on and now I am thinking far too clear, That it won’t be long before my kids carry on that cycle and will hopefully be standing as I am now, somewhere near.

Source: Andy—resident poet. It is all true and something I have experienced and continue to do so.

It is one of the hardest things to see our parents suffer in pain. I always said to my mum and now say to my dad when he feels guilty is they did everything for us, to ensure we were safe and were there whenever we needed them at any age so now it is our turn to help and look after them.

7.45pm

The cost of living crisis will inevitably mean that more people will be struggling to make ends meet, and will end up in debt. At Epping Forest Citizens Advice we have expert debt advisers who can help you.

The first rule in dealing with debt is: Don’t panic! All debt problems can be managed. Secondly, you can’t solve a debt problem by borrowing more. Don’t turn to payday lenders or loan sharks. Get advice instead. You may not be liable for a debt. For instance: a company cannot enforce debts over 6 years old unless you’ve acknowledged them during the 6 years.

Where the debt is genuine and enforceable one of the most effective solutions is a Debt Relief Order. This wipes out most debts. You could qualify if all of the following apply:

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you're unable to pay your debts • your qualifying debts are not more than £30,000 • you’ve got no more than £75 left over each month after you’ve paid your usual household expenses • ou don’t own your home • other savings or things of value you own, called assets, are worth no more than £2,000 (some assets are ignored when working out the value, for example, basic household items and tools you need to do your job) • you haven’t had a Debt Relief Order within the last 6 years; • you’re not a company director; • you’re not an undischarged bankrupt or currently in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement with your creditors; • if you are over 55, you don’t have a large undrawn pension that you could access.

If you have a vehicle worth under £2,000, you don’t have to include it in your assets. If your vehicle is worth more than £2,000, you don't have to include it in your assets if it's been adapted because you have a disability.

There are other conditions and requirements but if you meet these criteria it is well worth exploring whether a Debt Relief Order is right for you. To obtain the order you have to apply via a qualified Intermediary. Our debt advisers are qualified so they can help you. There are some downsides to a Debt Relief Order and they can explain them to you, so you can make an informed choice. There is a £90 fee payable for the order, but it is usually possible to pay that fee by instalments, or to get help from a charity to pay it. The debt advisers’ help, like all Citizens Advice services, is free.

If a Debt Relief Order isn’t right for you our debt advisers can still help. They can negotiate an informal hold on all action and stop interest being added while an agreement is being worked on. Many companies sell the right to recover a debt to debt recovery agencies, and those agencies will invariably accept very low repayment offers when supported by our FCA Financial Statement. They can also help you with Breathing Space, a Government Scheme to keep creditors at bay for up to 60 days while you work with an adviser towards a debt solution.

You can contact us for advice on debt (or anything else) by phoning 0808 278 7855 between 9.30 and 2.30, Tuesday to Thursday. Calls are free. We are very busy at the moment so if you can’t get through or there is no reply, try again. Or you can use webchat: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/

We are also in person at the Hub at the Civic Offices in Epping every Thursday between 9.30 and 2.30 if you want to talk to someone face-to-face.

Source: Paul Stockton