Debt Awareness Week 2024: Press Release

Debt advice charity sees enquiries for support rise more than a quarter
Crosslight has seen enquiries rise 27% between the last three months of 2022 and the last three months of 2023

Crosslight Advice, a charity providing debt and money advice in London and the South-East, reveals this Debt Awareness Week that it has seen a significant rise in requests for help as the cost of living continues to have an impact. Enquiries to the charity, which specialises in advising vulnerable clients who are struggling financially, were up a fifth (19%) in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, reflecting a growing need from those who are struggling to make ends meet.

Bruce Connell, founder and Chief Executive of Crosslight Advice commented: “All of us have been affected in some way by the cost-of-living crisis. But our data is a reminder that huge numbers of people are finding themselves in impossible financial situations - almost half (45%) of those who contact us for help have had to cut back or go without food because of financial pressures. When you’re in such a situation it’s hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel, which is why Debt Awareness Week is so important; it’s a chance to highlight the support that is available and a reminder why services such as ours are needed more than ever.”

One area of support that the charity has expanded since the start of the current crisis is its money skills programme (themoneycourse.org), which includes a number of resources and workshops which aim to help people make savings, learn helpful money habits and generally feel more confident about money.

Bruce Connell commented: “Most of us struggle with money at times, and the cost-of-living crisis has made that even harder. Our money skills programme provides tips to help people navigate their way through the current difficulties, and the tools and ideas work for whatever situation someone finds themselves in.”

Crosslight expects demand for its services to remain at a record high for the foreseeable future as high inflation and interest rates keeps the pressure on household finances.

A Crosslight client added: “The one most important thing you can give someone in life is HOPE, and for the longest time I had lost it. But with all your help, HOPE has crept its way back into my life. I have more of a zest for life, I'm not so anxious, or worried about the future.  I was taught things in the money course that I didn't know, but makes perfect sense now I think about it. Honestly the amount of help, non judgmental, and the feeling of someone finally being on my side, is one of the best feeling I've felt in years.”