StepChange Debt Charity Avis 2 309

I have been in debt for over 16 years since i divorced my ex. It was a substantial amount, and one is struggled to pay. Finally during lockdown and took the plunge to do something about it. Enter step change, they made it very easy for me in arranging an affordable monthly payment over 6 years(this reviewed every year). Step-Change are a charity so take minimal fees, and don't rip you off like many scammers out there. Taken advantage of people with debt.
Halfway through this i was asked for an amount i couldn't afford, at the time i was told that's the amount take it or leave it. It went up £60 a month quite significant for me, so i contacted the Ceo of the company at the time. Enter Romina (main manageress i think), wow what a breath of fresh air this wonderful woman is. She personally handled my case for the last 3 years, she was so friendly on the phone and couldn't of done anything more of me if she tried. She is a real credit to step change, she made me feel at ease all the way through those last 3 years. I will be forever grateful to her and step change for saving my life.
Today i now debt free, and when i got my final letter to tell me it was complete i felt overwhelmed with pride that i had done this . So my advice, don't hesitate get in touch day and save your debt hell.

I was made to feel I wasn't alone & made to feel it was possible to complete no matter how long it has taken. I am now confident in sort out my money, putting enough to onesie for my outgoings & leaving enough to money to use on other things.

Signed up for a DMP around the 1st April. Waiting for ages nearly payday again. Communication has been minimal a few requests for documentation but this really should have been setup and sorted by now. Wishing I hadn’t bothered and gone somewhere else. Not a very pleasant experience not knowing what’s going on.

I first started the process of doing my budget and sending all the information off. This has been completed thankfully. I have been waiting for over a month for any action plan to start after emailing the company on numerous occasions trying to activate it. I've rang so many times to just get the phone put down. I've literally had enough of confirming to go ahead, this is more stress on top of stress. I just receive the same email asking to confirm which I have 4 bloody times. I think it takes way too long. 10days setup my arse.

StepChange pushed me to the edge when I needed help the most
I am extremely disappointed with the way I was treated by .
When I reached out to them, I was already in a very vulnerable position. For over 6 months, I had been stuck in a cycle of earning money just to pay credit cards. I had no savings, I owed money to family and friends, and I had lost my job due to a spinal injury. My mental health had deteriorated to the point where I needed support from my GP.
I contacted StepChange because I genuinely needed help and guidance.
Instead, I felt judged.
During my call, the advisor went through my income and expenditure and questioned my weekly medication costs. I explained clearly that this was for legal medical cannabis, prescribed for my depression and spinal injury. After that, her attitude noticeably changed.
Her tone became cold and dismissive.
I was made to feel like I was doing something wrong, rather than being someone in genuine need of support. I was effectively told that if I could afford my medication, then I should be able to pay my credit cards too.
That was extremely upsetting and showed a lack of understanding of my situation.
Despite clearly explaining that my income was lower than my outgoings, and that I was struggling to get by week to week, I was told that I did not qualify for a DRO.
Instead of offering meaningful support, StepChange sent me an income and expenditure sheet and advised me to contact my creditors myself to “see if they could help”.
In reality, that left me trying to deal with everything alone while already overwhelmed.
Following their advice, I contacted my creditors—but nothing sustainable came from it. After a short breathing space, I was back to facing unaffordable payments and increasing pressure.
That ‘advice’ pushed me dangerously close to the edge mentally. I was already in a fragile state, and the lack of proper support from StepChange made things significantly worse.
Thankfully, I later contacted .
The difference was immediate.
In just one phone call, they listened, understood my situation, and confirmed that I did qualify for a DRO—something StepChange had told me I wasn’t eligible for.
They started the process straight away, and my DRO has now been approved.
Because of that, I can finally start rebuilding my life, manage my finances properly, and live without constant stress.
Based on my experience, I found StepChange to be dismissive and unhelpful at a time when I needed clear and supportive advice.
If you are struggling with debt, I would strongly recommend getting a second opinion. For me, speaking to Money Wellness made all the difference.

Stepchange helped me get debt free in a manageable and realistic manner. No pressure, no hassle and they were there for support whenever needed. I would 100% recommend

The best company support really the people, bless you guys

Very helpful

Helpful professionals in their field

They work for the debt collection companies on commission. If anyone thinks that makes them impartial they're on something.

Step change helped me through the dark times when I was overwhelmed with debts, I could not see a way out and the companies I owed money too were unforgiving! I was wracked with guild and shame that I had allowed myself to get into such a state!
Step change took the pressure of, helped me pay manageable amounts, Budget with the money I had and dealt with the companies on my behalf.
I am now debt free and I am living my best life.
Thank you Step change.

I was in a very bad place e before StepChange and was paying for my DMP plan 1200 per year. Finding Stepchange gave back my freedom after 1.5 years. Clear onboarding, monthly check how your debts are shrinking. To have something like this without spending a penny is amazing and people should use it to gain back their financial freedom.

I have just stated with Stepchange. I didnot know that giving me too much credit is a trap for me. I keep spending ,keep speding. and one day i found myself that i dont have the breathing space. I contacted with them. they made it easy for me. Lets see what happen. i promise this is the bye for me to the credit cards🥲

StepChange is worth it's salt, a million times over!

Absolutely life changing.
Easy and judgement free advice and help, all of the people I spoke to were excellent, understanding and calm.
I wouldn't have been able to get debt free without them and they've absolutely changed my life for the better

The extra care with the initial meeting and kind help given with the guidance given

I found myself in over £8,000 of debts and didn't know how i would cope.
I contacted Stepchange and with thier help and advice now a year on i am debt free. I can't Thank them enough for all the help in contacting everyone i owed money to to set up a repayment plan.
I highly recommend them if you are struggling.

I was weighed down by my huge debt and chased every where by my creditors until i contacted Stepchange who took my debts over, came into an agreement with my debtors and only paid them what i could afford to pay. There is help out for anyone in debt . Just reach out to Stepchange, for they are more than capable of helping.

Great service , supportive and effective
Helped me to get back on my feet

I had debts of around 32k, run out of options and nowhere to go. I didn’t miss any payments, but debts were over 1k a month with interest. I called stepchange September 2024 and from that moment everything changed for the better. I’m down to 25k and all seems to be going smoothly. All the creditors (8) put a hold on interest which massively helped also.
Really can’t thank you all enough for the help and support.
I went with a DMP and highly recommend!