20 Years of Changing Lives Through Debt Advice
Toynbee Hall has celebrated 20 years of leading Debt Free Advice, marking two decades of helping more than 500,000 Londoners overcome financial challenges and build greater financial security.
More than 200 partners, funders, colleagues, supporters and guests gathered at Merchant Taylors’ Hall to reflect on the achievements of the Debt Free Advice partnership and look ahead to the future of free, trusted debt advice.
Since launching the partnership in 2005, Toynbee Hall has led and convened Debt Free Advice, bringing together 18 London charities to provide free, independent debt advice across the capital. Over the past two decades, the partnership has helped hundreds of thousands of people manage debt, increase their income and access vital support during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
In the past year alone, the partnership supported more than 13,000 people and secured £24.4 million in financial gains for Londoners facing financial hardship.
The anniversary celebration also marked the launch of several new initiatives that will expand access to financial wellbeing support across London and beyond, reinforcing Toynbee Hall’s commitment to ensuring everyone can access high-quality, independent advice when they need it most.
Launching London’s financial health check
The event also marked the launch of London’s Financial Health Check, a new tool developed by Toynbee Hall and the Debt Free Advice partnership to help Londoners better understand their financial wellbeing and identify practical steps they can take to improve their financial resilience.
Insights shared at the launch highlighted the financial challenges many households continue to face, including financial insecurity, low levels of savings and the rising cost of living. By building a clearer picture of financial wellbeing across the capital, London’s Financial Health Check will help inform future support, shape policy and ensure services continue to respond to the needs of Londoners.
To learn more about the impact of Debt Free Advice, the partnership led by Toynbee Hall, read our latest Impact Report and explore how we’re supporting people across London to build more secure financial futures.
Expanding debt advice into 13 prisons
Toynbee Hall also announced the expansion of regulated debt advice through the Debt Free Advice partnership into 13 prisons across London and the South East.
This expansion will provide more than 10,000 people in prison with access to specialist debt advice, helping them address financial challenges, reduce barriers to rehabilitation and prepare for successful resettlement on release.
By tackling debt problems early, the programme aims to improve financial stability and create better long-term outcomes for individuals, their families and the communities they return to.
Launching Macmillan Money & More in London
Toynbee Hall also announced the launch of Macmillan Money & More in London, a new pan-London service providing specialist welfare benefits advice and financial support for people affected by cancer.
Delivered as part of Toynbee Hall’s commitment to improving financial wellbeing, the service helps people living with cancer and their families maximise their income, access the support they’re entitled to and navigate financial challenges throughout treatment and recovery.
By bringing together specialist expertise and trusted advice, Macmillan Money & More ensures more people can access the financial guidance they need at one of the most challenging times in their lives.
Looking ahead
Speaking at the event, Matt Dronfield, Incoming CEO of Toynbee Hall, said:
“Twenty years of Debt Free Advice is a huge milestone for everyone involved in this partnership. More than 500,000 Londoners have been supported since the service began, but behind that number are people facing some of the hardest moments in their lives.
“This anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the advisors, partners, funders and supporters who have made this work possible. It was also a chance to look ahead as we launch London’s Financial Health Check, expand regulated debt advice into prisons, strengthen financial support for people affected by cancer through Macmillan Money & More, and continue developing Adviser Intelligence so advisers can spend more time supporting clients.”
The anniversary also coincided with the publication of the latest Debt Free Advice Impact Report, which includes a foreword from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. In his foreword, the Mayor recognised the partnership’s contribution to the capital, describing Debt Free Advice as a service that has stood alongside Londoners during some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
As Toynbee Hall leads Debt Free Advice into its third decade, we remain committed to working with our partners to ensure free, independent and trusted debt advice continues to reach everyone who needs it.
