StepChange Debt Charity

This week marks a year since we published 'Looking through the keyhole', exploring StepChange clients’ experiences of dealing with council tax arrears – from affordability challenges through to interactions with councils and enforcement action. We’ve been hard at work since then to tackle some of the worrying issues identified in the report – from rapid escalation of council tax debt to harsh collection practices – and push for vital policy changes. So, what’s happened in the 12 months since? And what do we want to see next? Read more about our progress and plans in our blog here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9S5a3Z6 #counciltax

We partnered with Ofgem and the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol on new research revealing UK household energy debt has hit £4.4B amid the cost-of-living crisis. Our latest report highlights: • 42% of StepChange clients had faced financial difficulty once before; 19% multiple times. • 47% of StepChange clients with energy debt said they were on the Priority Services Register. • 60% had made some progress on their energy debt since contacting StepChange. Key findings: Effective referrals to free debt advice (via StepChange) are crucial for vulnerable customers. Energy sector quick wins include training frontline staff on best practices. Long-term: Better coordination for smoother, empathetic support.   To read the full report click here: https://lnkd.in/eXKGPaHA

🎉 We want to say thank you to everyone who attended StepChange Connected in Leeds yesterday!    As our annual flagship event, StepChange Connected is a brilliant opportunity not only to explore our relationship with our partners, but also to demonstrate our work towards our strategic commitments. Partners’ engagement in our work and insightful questions is what makes the event such a success.    Our thanks also go out to every speaker that came to share their sector-leading knowledge with the charity and our partners, your expertise is invaluable.    StepChange Connected will return and we’ll look forward to seeing you again in 2026! 🙌   #StepChangeConnected2025    Photos: StepChange Connected 2025 by Rory Marshall

That’s a wrap on StepChange Connected! 🚀 Many thanks to our attendees, speakers, and clients who joined us in Leeds today for our flagship partner event. It’s been a brilliant day exploring our strategic commitments and looking at the big issues facing the debt advice sector.  #StepChangeConnected2025

The day has arrived! 🙌 StepChange Connected, our annual partner event, is under way in Leeds today. We’re so pleased to have welcomed delegates from banks, energy providers, creditors, and partner charities to the event for an incredible day of insights. They’ll hear from key figures at StepChange and experts from across the sector, sharing knowledge on the challenges facing clients and how best we can support them. We hope our attendees have a brilliant day!  #StepChangeConnected2025

Awards are wonderful, but the real reward is the difference we make in people’s lives.  🤝 We may not have taken home a trophy tonight at this year’s Collections and Vulnerability Awards by Credit Strategy. However, being shortlisted alongside so many outstanding organisations is a huge honour and a reflection of the passion and impact our charity delivers every day. A huge congratulations to all of the finalists and winners, and a special thanks to our Partners at OVO for inviting us. We’re immensely proud of our collaborative efforts to support people facing energy arrears. #CVawards #vulnerability #debtadvice #creditindustry 

It’s a busy couple of days ahead! 🚀 Firstly, spending the day with ScottishPower looking at further developing the relationship strategically. Then I’m looking forward to the Collections and Vulnerability Awards tonight, followed by StepChange Connected tomorrow at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. I’m hoping to see some faces at both events and hopefully not too many sore heads in the morning but if there is the StepChange Debt Charity team will be on hand with breakfast butties to start the day right 🙌 It’s going to be a great day with loads of insightful discussions and opportunities to connect. Good luck tonight everyone and we’ll be seeing you tomorrow in Leeds!

⏳ Just one day to go! We’re looking forward to welcoming our partners to the Queens Hotel for StepChange Connected tomorrow. Expect a day packed with engaging discussions, opportunities to connect with key industry voices, and thought-provoking insights from clients. Take another look at our agenda to find out what’s in store: https://lnkd.in/eSZTUbBK We’ll see you there 🙌

We’re proud to announce that Charlotte Chambers our Chief Digital Officer is a finalist in the in this years’ Women and Diversity in Credit Awards by Credit Strategy Magazine in the ‘Innovation and Transformation of the year’ category. In just 12 months, Charlotte has defined and implemented a business-critical digital transformation programme that has revolutionised StepChange’s operations through the delivery of: 🛜 A full network upgrade, modernising our critical IT Infrastructure. ⛅ Cloud migration enhancing our scalability, resilience and security. 📱A new call centre solution for improved engagement and increased capacity. Charlotte’s approach has been inclusive, transparent, and deeply strategic. She hasn’t just led change; she has embedded it. From everyone at StepChange - good luck in the final on November 19th! #womenincredit #diversityandinclusion #leadership #creditindustry

It’s just a few days until StepChange Connected takes place this Thursday! Wondering how to get to the Queens Hotel? It’s just a short walk from Leeds Station, simply follow this route and you’ll be there in no time. ⤵️ Once you arrive at the registration room, we’ll be there to greet you and get you signed in before the event kicks off upstairs in the ballroom. We’re so excited to welcome you 🙌