Debt Awareness Week 2025: Breaking the stigma of debt

4 March 2025

Thank you to PayPlan’s expert debt advisers who have contributed this month’s guide to debt and financial wellbeing in advance of Debt Awareness Week 2025, running from 24th-30th March.

PayPlan partners with Adroit and the National Bereavement Service (NBS) to offer comprehensive support – practical, emotional, and financial – for those coping with the loss of someone close.

Through this collaboration, PayPlan customers who are navigating grief or bereavement can access a dedicated NBS bereavement helpline. Here, they’ll receive free guidance and compassionate support from NBS’ highly skilled and experienced team.

Through our partnership, we’d like to highlight Debt Awareness Week 2025, during which organisations, individuals, and communities across the country come together to talk about debt, provide support, and empower individuals to take control of their financial wellbeing.

What is Debt Awareness Week?

Debt Awareness Week was created to challenge the stigma surrounding debt and to encourage open conversations about financial struggles. Millions of people in the UK and beyond face the challenges of debt every day, but often struggle to reach out for help due to feeling embarrassed or not knowing where to start or who to contact. This annual campaign seeks to change that by promoting resources, tools, and support networks that can help individuals manage their finances effectively.

Why is Debt Awareness so important?

Debt can impact anyone, regardless of age, income level, or background. It’s not just a financial issue; it’s a mental and emotional one as well. Persistent debt can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression, creating a cycle that can feel impossible to break.

By raising awareness, we can:

  • Reduce the stigma surrounding debt and encourage people to seek help.
  • Promote financial education to help individuals make informed decisions.
  • Connect people with the right resources and support services.

How to get involved

Debt Awareness Week isn’t just for people in debt, it’s a week to help promote a supportive environment and encourage people to find the help they need to get back in control of their finances. Some ways for employers and their people to get involved:

  • Build a resource library: Learn about the resources available for debt management and share them with friends, family and colleagues.
  • Share your story: If you’ve overcome debt or are working through it, consider sharing your story to encourage others and break the stigma.
  • Engage on social media: Use hashtags like #DebtAwarenessWeek and #SmallStepsBigChanges to spread the word and join in with the campaign online.

Financial wellbeing tips

Taking that first step to improving your financial situation can be daunting, but if you break it down into manageable steps, it will be more achievable. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Create a budget: This will help identify areas where you can cut back and use this spare amount towards your debt. Access our free budget planner here.
  • Seek professional help: There are many organisations available that can offer free, confidential debt advice for your situation such as ourselves at PayPlan.
  • Avoid taking on any further credit: Whilst you’re working to pay off existing debts, try to avoid taking on new debts whenever possible.
  • Mark off your milestones: Keep motivated by celebrating each milestone you’ve set; if you have a setback, you can look back on how much you’ve achieved so far.

Get in touch

We understand the pressure you can feel under when struggling with debts. If you need help, call PayPlan on 0800 316 1833. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can visit our advice page to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

Access practical bereavement support from the National Bereavement Service

The National Bereavement Service supports anyone who has experienced a bereavement, including sudden or traumatic bereavement, with practical and emotional information and advice from professional bereavement advisors with lived experience.

We help you to comply with legal requirements, signpost you to providers such as funeral directors and solicitors, and provide a listening ear that helps you through a very difficult time.

Our expert advisers also help anyone to plan ahead for their own death, from Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney to considering funeral costs.

For personal, confidential, and practical help following a bereavement, or for advice when planning your future, call the NBS on 0800 0246 121 or visit www.thenbs.org

Trusted legal support for your people by Adroit Legal Services

Established in 2015, Adroit connects our clients’ people and customer base to quality-assured, affordable and accessible legal services from trusted and experienced experts.

Legal specialists throughout the UK are tried and tested, delivering honest advice at every stage of life to protect people’s interests, families and wellbeing.

Adroit’s panel of advisors offers a free initial consultation and discounted rates to make legal services accessible to everyone that’s important to a client organisation.

Contact Adroit Legal Services to find out how we help our clients to protect their peoples’ wellbeing with access to quality-assured, great value legal services through tailored employee benefits packages.