Category Archives: Debt

IVA Helpline: A Beacon of Hope for Thousands of Debt-Ridden Britons

In the shadows of the towering edifice of the UK’s mounting debt crisis, a lone sentinel of financial fortitude has emerged to guide people towards the light of financial stability – the IVA Helpline. This pioneering company has been a lifesaver for many in the UK who are struggling with their finances, providing invaluable advice and solutions tailored to their unique circumstances.

Individual Voluntary Arrangements, or IVAs, have soared in popularity in recent years, a testament to the harsh financial realities many UK residents face. According to a recent report from the UK Insolvency Service, there were over 75,000 IVAs applied for in the last year alone, a clear sign of the immense need for financial recovery strategies.

IVA Helpline is at the forefront of addressing this need. With a vision to restore financial health and a mission to provide easy, personalised, and professional advice to those facing debt, the Not-for-Profit company is making a positive impact in the lives of many Britons.

The company’s approach has won the heartfelt gratitude of many who’ve been guided from the brink of financial despair. Among them is 42-year-old Lucy Henderson, a single mother of two, who remarked, “IVA Helpline was my lifeline when I was drowning in debt. Their advice helped me secure an IVA and get my finances back on track.”

Chris Richards, the founder of the IVA Helpline, strongly advocates the IVA solution. He spoke about the ease of the process, the relief it provides, and how critical it is for those trapped under the crushing weight of unmanageable debt.

Applying for an IVA is not an admission of financial defeat, but a courageous step towards regaining control over one’s life. It’s about making a pragmatic decision for a brighter future,” said Richards. “IVA Helpline exists to guide people through this process, to help them understand it’s not a journey they need to embark on alone.”

This shared sense of commitment and compassion towards their clients has made IVA Helpline a veritable cornerstone of financial recovery in the UK. For every Briton locked in the daunting battle with debt, the company represents a steadfast ally, a source of potent advice, and the first step towards a life free from the shackles of financial insecurity.

The story of the IVA Helpline is a reminder that in the midst of a crisis, there are always beacons of hope. It is an inspirational tale of a company trying to make a real difference in the financial landscape of the UK, turning the rising tide of IVAs from a symbol of despair into one of hope and financial rebirth.

 

AML campaign for debt charity sends poignant message

AML TACKLE PROBLEM DEBT WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN FOR STEPCHANGE – DEBT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

AML Group has created an integrated campaign for StepChange, Europe’s biggest debt charity, to shine a light on the dire cost of living crisis for Debt Awareness Week.

The Debt can happen to anyone campaign, aims to remove the stigma around debt, and show that it doesn’t only affect a certain type of person. But all demographics, in all locations, all of the time.

Working closely with StepChange, AML created an inclusive concept that shows strips of different faces, all brought together in one banner. Ensuring that people can recognise themselves in it, and feel able to ask for help in the knowledge that debt is a widespread problem, which needs to be tackled together.

According to research conducted by YouGov for StepChange, one in six adults (15%), equivalent to seven and half million people, have £20 or less left each month after paying for essentials with one in 12 having no disposable income at all. And with the poll showing that one in six of us don’t know that debt advice services even exist, this year’s Debt Awareness Week aims to increase understanding of how debt advice can support people struggling with their finances and that help is available.

Debt is indiscriminate and pervasive” Says Ian Henderson, CEO, AML Group “We are proud of an inclusive campaign that delivers a clear, powerful message – that debt really can happen to anyone.”

AML Group, who also work with a number of other charities including: Heart Research UK and The Big Exchange – were appointed by Stepchange in 2022 following a competitive pitch.

 

Fresh leadership for debt advisory firm.

Fresh Thinking Advisory is accelerating its growth plans with the appointment of Oliver Reece as managing director.

Oliver will head the Leeds-based team, which provides debt advisory services to a wide range of businesses with a particular focus on the North of England.

Across a 15-year lending career, he has built expertise in term debt and working capital with senior, alternative and ABL lenders, most recently having spent seven years working as an investment director in private credit funds lending to a wide range of SME businesses.

Fresh Thinking Capital launched the debt advisory business in 2022 to help SMEs find and secure the financial support they need to grow. It provides advice to management teams seeking funding for a wide range of purposes, from acquisitions to working capital and from £1m to £100m of facilities.

 

Commenting on his appointment, Mel Hird, director of Fresh Thinking Capital, said:

“Fresh Thinking Advisory launched at a time when businesses’ need for help accessing capital has never been greater. Oliver brings a wealth of experience that will help to accelerate the growth of the firm and of the thousands of small businesses across the region that are currently under-served.”

 

Fresh Thinking Advisory offers impartial debt advisory services and provides a whole market debt advisory offering, using its expertise and network to help clients raise debt funding. It uses a network of trusted specialists and alternative lenders developed over decades, with the team has collectively worked on more than £1bn of transactions.

The firm also helps companies with corporate debt restructuring with help to manage existing funders and business planning.

Oliver Reece said:

“Fresh Thinking Advisory has an exciting offering for businesses across the North and beyond. The adaptability, experience and pedigree of the team set it apart and enable us to provide a genuinely different offering.

“I look forward to working with the many businesses across the region that need financing for expansion and innovation. We work closely with our customers to ensure they go to market fully prepared and help them find the facilities they need from our broad funder relationships.”

 

Money remains number one UK taboo as millions struggle with cost of living crisis

A new survey by financial platform Unbiased has revealed that Brits don’t like talking about money and are reluctant to seek help when it comes to debt worries

New research from Unbiased shows that 67% of Brits lie to their partners about the extent of their credit card and store card debts with almost 50% admitting that they can’t talk about money worries with family members.

 

The survey highlights the following:

  • Only 27% of Brits are debt free
  • 49% are not comfortable talking to family members about their money worries
  • Only 20% would talk to a bank about their money concerns
  • 55% are not comfortable confiding in their partner when it comes to money
  • 14% say talking about money is embarrassing
  • 21% believe their money issues are nobody else’s business
  • Almost a third of Brits (29%) are unaware of the direct debits, standing orders, subscription fees etc that leave their bank accounts each month

 

Unbiased is a financial services platform that has helped more than 10 million people make confident financial decisions and urges Brits to be more open about money.

 

Nihal Pekbeken, Chief Commercial Officer at Unbiased, has the following advice for those struggling with the cost of living crisis: “Our survey shows that UK residents are reluctant to talk about money and with the current squeeze on everyone’s finances, it is more important than ever for us to learn to open up.

“Sweeping money worries under the carpet and not understanding your finances will only store up problems for the future. If you take action now and speak to a trusted adviser, it is possible to avoid further debt. Even small savings can make a big difference over time.”

 

Unbiased recently entered into a two-year charity partnership with Samaritans, the charity that provides emotional support 24/7 for anyone struggling to cope, whatever they’re facing.

 

Richard Amos, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Samaritans says: “”We are concerned about the rising cost of living and its impact on people’s wellbeing. Suicide is complex and is rarely caused by one thing. However, there is strong evidence of associations between financial difficulties, mental health and suicide.

Samaritans is there to listen to anyone struggling to cope, whatever they’re facing, any time of the day or night. It’s thanks to the support of our partners like Unbiased that we can continue to be there

Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org  or visit www.samaritans.org  for more information