It's Only A Few Quid

March 2009 - October 2010 has been an amazing time for Shontal since we performed IOAFQ for the first time, at the Illegal Money Lending Team's conference at Wynyard Park.

We are a small part of a project which started with pilot studies, designed to demonstrate to Trading Standards and the Police whether or not a problem with loan sharks really existed. Many people were aware of the issue, but with the absence of complainants, the scope of the problem was largely unknown.

Now many authorities throughout the UK (and beyond) are aware of the devastation to families and individuals these so called 'friends' can cause.

We were delighted to have been awarded funding from Redcar and Cleveland IMLT to continue to develop IOAFQ, and to perform it to as many local authorities, tenants groups and decision makers alike.

We will be concentrating the use of this funding to perform the show as much as possible throughout the North East over the coming months, our showcase project turns IOAFQ into a dedicated piece of drama suitable for theatres, our aim is to reach as many people as possible very quickly.

We are regularly supported by the IMLT, they are happy to attend as many events as possible to help educate and update groups, (and us!!)

We have recently performed the play in Brussels, having originally been asked in May this year. We had an amazing couple of days, performing to a conference on financial inclusion, with attendees from Italy and Finland, as well as from universities and institutions throughout Belgium. The response was excellent, and there was great interest shown in the work done by the IMLT, and Denise Meek, who spoke at the conference alongside us.