The history of Debt Remedy
In 1993, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), as StepChange was previously called, was launched. At that time all our advice was delivered face-to-face or by telephone. But there was rapid growth over the next decade, with a sharp increase in demand for online debt advice.
In 2006, so we could reach more people who needed our help, we launched Debt Remedy, the first online tool providing free, confidential debt advice 24/7. Now more than half our new clients get advice from us through Debt Remedy, using their Personal Action Plans to regain control of their finances.
How we’re helping more people through Debt Remedy
We are the UK’s leading debt charity and the number of people coming to us for debt advice increases every year. By 2022, it's estimated more than two million people will need debt advice every year.
The breadth of our advice and the support we offer has widened since CCCS launched. We have dedicated teams who manage a range of debt solutions. Although we’re best known for our debt management plans, we also offer specialised support with IVAs, Scotland’s debt arrangement scheme, and for the last ten years, debt relief orders. We also provide our clients with mortgage and equity release services and help making settlement offers to creditors.
And increasingly we’re contacted by people who don’t need help with problem debts, but who want budgeting advice from us. We can help them explain their circumstances to creditors and manage their money better to avoid future problems.
Because of these changing needs, we’re making improvements to Debt Remedy, so we can offer even more comprehensive online debt advice.