Financial Vulnerabilities: Spotting The Hidden Risks (Manchester)

In today’s financial landscape, providing money guidance goes beyond budgeting and signposting. It’s also about understanding and recognising the hidden threats that can impact your clients’ financial stability.

This in-person event will explore two of the major threats affecting people’s finances: gambling harm and illegal money lending (loan sharks).

You’ll learn how to recognise the early warning signs, start sensitive conversations, and guide clients to safe, specialist support. We’ll also explore the longer-term impact these issues can have on individuals and families, including debt, financial exclusion, and emotional wellbeing.

Importantly, the session will focus on the road to recovery. You’ll gain an understanding of how people can rebuild their financial resilience after being affected by these hidden threats, the support services available, and the practical steps that can help them regain control of their finances, confidence, and future. By understanding both prevention and recovery, you’ll be better equipped to support clients at every stage of their journey.

We’ll be joined by speakers from , and .

Loan sharks

• The unexpected ways illegal lenders present themselves

• Insights into the professions targeted by illegal lenders

• How to respond when someone discloses they’ve borrowed from a loan shark, including what to say, what not to say, and the safe steps to take next.

Gambling harm

• An overview of the financial and emotional impact gambling can have on clients

• How to recognise the signs of gambling

• How to confidently start conversations with clients who may feel ashamed or fearful
• How and where to refer people for specialist support

Recovery from Financial Setbacks

• Recovering from financial setbacks such as redundancy, illness, gambling harm, scams, or unexpected life events.
• Practical steps to regain financial stability and take control of your money.
• Building long-term financial wellbeing and resilience for the future.

Who is this event for?

• Money guidance practitioners working in the third sector, community organisations, charities, housing, and public benefit sectors.
• Staff and volunteers who support people with money-related issues, including debt, financial wellbeing, and financial resilience.
• Money Guiders who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills in supporting clients affected by gambling harm, illegal money lending (loan sharks), financial setbacks, vulnerability, and complex financial circumstances.

By attending this event you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Connect with other frontline money guiders

• Share insights, experiences and challenges

• Build your confidence through practical exercises and scenario‑based discussions

Event speakers

Pete Shone - England Illegal Money Lending Team

Raminta Diliso - Gamcare

Matthew Sheeran - Money Wellness

James Kelly - Money and Pension Service

Money Guiders Competency Framework

Technical Domain: Borrowing, Debt

Accessibility

We are committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility requirements, please let us know using the form fields when registering or email us at [email protected]

Money Guiders is a free self-development programme designed to help money guidance practitioners improve their knowledge, skills, and confidence. Provided by the Money and Pensions Service, it's aimed at staff and volunteers working in the third, community and public sectors. With over 20 hours of elearning, hundreds of events on offer and a community of practice at your side, this free programme will help you to help others.

Everything Money Guiders offers centres around the . The framework lays out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that help make a great money conversation and maps out the length and breadth of money related issues that fall outside of regulated money and financial advice—the things you talk to your customers about.

Join the Money Guiders Community
Become part of a UK-wide community of practice. As a member, you’ll receive priority access to learning events, workshops, newsletters, and networking opportunities—all in partnership with the Money and Pensions Service.

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Event venue

Stretford Public Hall, Chester Road, Stretford, United Kingdom

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