We are proud to share that the Debt Advice team at Saltbox’s Money Matters has made a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged families in Stoke-on-Trent. Over the past year, the dedicated staff have assisted residents in writing off approximately £300,000 in debt. Additionally, they have helped clients access £3.25 million in benefits that they were entitled to but had not claimed prior to the team’s intervention.
In total, the Money Matters team worked with 1,348 individuals across the city and facilitated 475 drop-in sessions at food banks. They also supported the community in accessing £100,679 in grants and donations while engaging in 4,259 client interactions throughout the year.
The Money Matters service provides vital support to some of Stoke-on-Trent’s most vulnerable residents, focusing on understanding each person’s unique situation. The team works closely with individuals to identify the specific areas of their finances where they need assistance. By creating tailored support plans, they help clients maximize their income through benefits applications and find ways to manage their expenses more effectively, often with the guidance of qualified debt advisors.
Chief Executive, who spoke to the Stoke Sentinel newspaper, said, “The figures are amazing and most importantly represent hundreds of lives that have been turned around. We provide support with money issues to some of Stoke-on-Trent’s most disadvantaged residents through the Money Matter service. Staff spend time with person in better understanding the situation and story and work with them to identify which areas of their finances they must need help to improve their situation. Our help is bespoke, so the needs of that person taking into count any particular vulnerabilities we have identified. We look for ways they can maximise their income, which might be through supporting them to apply for welfare benefits. We also identify ways to increase the outgoings, which might be through the support of our qualified debt advisor.”
This incredible work highlights the critical need for continued support of debt advice services in our community, ensuring that those in financial distress receive the help they deserve.