It’s Debt Awareness Week and West Suffolk Council is tackling the stigma and highlighting the help that we and our community partners can offer to residents.
More than half of UK adults have run into problems with debt according to national support charity StepChange.
In West Suffolk, Citizens Advice, who we work closely with and support with funding, reports that it has given debt advice to 761 people between 1 March 2025 and 28 February this year.
Of those people, 82 people needed and were given further support from Citizens Advice to help them with managing a collective debt of just under £1.7m.
But it’s believed that many other people feel too ashamed to come forward for help.
Our key message for anyone in West Suffolk who is struggling with debt is, you’re not alone, speak to us.
Support is available through West Suffolk Council, our partners, and national charities.
Who can I get in contact with?
Financial Inclusion Service www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/cost-of-living
Other local help is available through Citizens Advice West Suffolk Citizens Advice West Suffolk | Free, confidential, independent advice
Reach Community Projects which operates in Haverhill and Newmarket Reach Community Projects, Haverhill | Free Debt Advice, Benefits Help & Foodbank
Newmarket Community Pantry Shop at The Racing Centre The Racing Centre Newmarket | Community Hub & Charity
Realise Futures offer courses in household budgeting - www.realisefutures.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/West-2025-26-Spring-Term-Brochure-For-web-email.pdf
Nationally support is available through StepChange StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice
Sharon from Newmarket has debts and was struggling with living costs including weekly shopping.
The Financial Inclusion Service put her in contact with local food projects including Newmarket Community Pantry Shop, to help reduce her weekly spending and Reach Community Projects to help with her finances and debt.
Gary, another resident of West Suffolk, started working part-time without realising that would impact on his Universal Credit payments. He then discovered he was £900 behind on his rent.
“I panicked,” he said. “Then West Suffolk Council’s Financial Inclusion Service helped me apply for grants and get money off my water bills. Together we worked out how to clear the debt. I feel much better and happy to be working again.”
Linda who lives in one of our beautiful West Suffolk villages, suffers from a lung condition. A pensioner, she was so worried about falling into debt on her heating bill, she was going to bed every night at 7pm just to stay warm.
“I didn’t want to live anymore. My doctor referred me to the Financial Inclusion Service who helped me apply for grants and Attendance Allowance. That extra money has made a tremendous difference and given me peace of mind,” she said.
Tim from West Suffolk is another pension who was struggling to keep on top of everyday bills. Our Financial Inclusion Service has helped improve his situation.
“The team completed a full benefit check and found I was eligible to claim Housing Benefit. It has been very helpful and has stopped that worry,” he said.