Free drop-in advice sessions are being held across Milton Keynes this summer for residents worried about money, illegal lending or safer borrowing options.
The programme runs from Wednesday 3 June to Wednesday 15 July, with remaining public sessions in July at Lidl Blakelands, Rainbows Larder, Wolverton Library and Springfield Larder. Entry is free, and residents do not need a booking to speak with advisors.
The events are part of Operation Sharknet, led by Milton Keynes City Council with the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Thames Valley Police, SOFEA Community Larder and Acorn Community Bank.
Free drop-in help across Milton Keynes
The sessions are aimed at anyone who is concerned about their finances, thinks they may have been affected by a loan shark, or wants to understand how illegal money lending works.
Advisors will be available to explain warning signs, discuss safer and more affordable options, and point residents towards confidential support. The council said the programme is designed to bring advice directly into neighbourhoods, rather than expecting people to seek help through formal routes first.
Cllr Saleena Raja, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said financial pressure can affect anyone and that illegal lenders often target people when they are most vulnerable. She encouraged residents who are concerned, or who simply want to understand their options, to come along for a conversation.
Readers looking for a related local listing can also see these dates and venues.
Remaining July sessions and locations
| Date | Time and place |
|---|---|
| Monday 13 July | Lidl foyer, Blakelands: 10.30am-1pm |
| Monday 13 July | Rainbows Larder, Pepper Hill School, Kingsfold: 1.30pm-3.30pm |
| Monday 13 July | Walkabout at Bekanscot Court and Runnymede, Giffard Park: 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Lidl foyer and Wolverton Library: 10.30am-1pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Drop-in at Wolverton Library: 2.30pm-3.30pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Walkabout at St George’s Way, Green Lane and Moon Street: 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Wednesday 15 July | Springfield Larder, Springfield Boulevard: 2pm-4pm |
The first events took place on Wednesday 3 June at Lidl in Bletchley, Water Hall Larder in Fern Grove, Bletchley, and through a walkabout covering Fern Grove, Melfort Drive and Torridon Close.
What residents can ask about
The support is focused on practical financial safety. Residents can ask how to identify a loan shark, what signs to watch for, and what to do if they believe they or someone they know has borrowed from an illegal lender.
The presence of Acorn Community Bank and community larder partners means the sessions are also designed to highlight safer financial options and local support routes. The source does not list any booking form, eligibility test, transport service or accessibility arrangements, so residents should treat the programme as free drop-in advice at the listed venues and times.
Confidential support outside the sessions
The England Illegal Money Lending Team has operated since 2004. According to the council notice, it has secured around 434 successful prosecutions, illegal lenders have been sentenced to more than 618 years in prison, more than £92 million in illegal debt has been written off, and around 33,000 borrowers have been supported.
Anyone affected by illegal money lending can seek confidential support at any time by calling 0300 555 2222, using live chat through the Stop Loan Sharks website, or sending a WhatsApp message to 07700 102773.
Source: Milton_Keynes Scraper
Source check Source trail
This article was built from the Milton Keynes City Council event notice and limited to the dates, venues, partners and support details given there.
- Checked the published event schedule against the listed June and July dates.
- Kept price and entry status to the source-backed details: free drop-in sessions.
- Used only named partner organisations included in the council notice.
- Did not add booking, transport or accessibility details because they were not provided.
- Source
- Milton Keynes City Council
- Scope
- Milton Keynes
- Updated
- 2026-06-05 04:46
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Article contextPeople & topics1#7
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.