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Debt doesn’t define you
It's Debt Awareness Week 16-22 March 2026

Debt can affect anyone

Debt is more common than you think - 1 in 2 of us will face a debt-related challenge in our lives*.

Yet the shame people feel around it often prevents them from getting the support they need.

This Debt Awareness Week (16–22 March 2026), we are tackling the issue head-on.

Debt doesn’t define you – Stigma stories

* Research conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 4,000 UK nationally representative general consumers aged 18+, between 13/01/2026 and 19/01/2026.

Get involved this week

There’s loads happening throughout the week, and we’d love your help starting conversations about debt and tackling the stigma around it. Follow us, share our posts, and help us spread the word: 

Monday

  • Our Stigma Stories video launches the week, showcasing why tackling debt stigma matters
  • See how our partners are getting involved
  • The Big Issue and Yorkshire Evening Post stories will help raise awareness online and in print

Tuesday

  • We’re hosting a Parliamentary drop-in session with MPs
  • Join our Instagram “comment bingo” as we challenge debt misconceptions
  • Take a look at our latest ‘debt stigma’ polling results on socials

Wednesday

Thursday

  • Watch our new ‘How to talk about debt’ video guide
  • Join our webinar exploring our latest client statistics

Friday

  • Take part in interactive polling and share your thoughts on our socials
  • We explore people’s real experiences of debt through videos and testimonials

Saturday

  • We’re out and about in Leeds asking people about what they think about debt

We’ve also got tons of advice across our website to help you take the first step or share without someone you care about:

Tips for talking about debt: Talking about debt is hard even at the best of times - here are our tips for starting the conversation.

What’s stopping you getting debt advice?: We look at the five barriers to getting debt advice - find out how we can break down these down together.

Join the conversation

As well as sharing our posts during the week, you can download our social media pack - with graphics, hashtags and post copy, so that you, or your organisation can spread the word.

Download the toolkit

Worried about money? Get free advice

If you are in debt and it feels overwhelming, you don’t have to face it alone. Start by writing down your main money worries and looking for trustworthy advice.

We offer free, confidential online debt advice, backed by experts. Reaching out can feel daunting - but it is a powerful first step towards regaining control and finding a solution that works for you.

How we make a difference

Debt is hard to talk about. But we have been helping people overcome this barrier for over 30 years. Our clients share – in their own words – the impact debt has had on them and their journey out.

Read their stories

Half of UK adults have experienced problem debt – yet almost half keep it secret

As we mark the start of our 12th Debt Awareness Week, our new research shows that one in two people (51%) have experienced problem debt. Worryingly, 44% of them told no one about their financial struggles.

New polling by Censuswide, commissioned by StepChange, highlights how debt can affect people:

  • Almost four in five (79%) said their debt problems caused significant stress
  • Two in five (40%) said it made them feel ashamed

However, the public significantly underestimates these factors. In the survey:

  • Just 9% believed unemployment or redundancy was the biggest driver of debt in the UK
  • Only 1% identified health issues as the main cause
  • Meanwhile, 7% pointed to gambling—despite it affecting only 2% of StepChange clients

Read the press release

Karen on Feefo says:

"StepChange literally changed my life. I literally was so anxious about my debt, constantly living in constant fear of how I was going to pay my bills. But after contacting StepChange, I can now sleep at night, I have such relief now. It was the best decision I have made. StepChange have been so amazing, I just wish I had contacted them earlier. There is no shame for being in debt, it happens to lots of people, you are not alone."

House Graphic