Our Welfare Benefit and Money Advice team have been shortlisted for the ‘Debt Team of the Year Award’ at the Institute of Money Advisers (IMA) Money Advice Awards 2023. 

Congratulations to the Debt Team of the Year Award finalists - @PoppyLegion, @WrekinHG, @CitAdviceBucks and @HaltonHousing. Thanks to category sponsor @PayPlan. See you on 8 June! #IMAConf23 https://t.co/ddnPaGdd0D pic.twitter.com/68L16zU86O

— The IMA (@InstituteMA) May 5, 2023

The IMA Money Advice Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the field of money advice, and are open to individuals, teams, projects and organisations working at a national, regional, or local level, anywhere in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Over the last 12 months, the team needed to think differently about how they reached out and provided support and guidance to help navigate the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ – looking beyond their normal offer. They did this by pooling their efforts into a ‘Reach Out’ campaign. This aimed to address affordable warmth and fuel poverty, by signposting customers to help. In doing so (through information sharing and events) they helped reduce debts, challenged unaffordable bills, maximised incomes and shouted about support available towards the cost of living.

Commenting on being shortlisted, Halton Housing Senior Welfare Benefit and Money Advice Officer, Amber Cairns said: “We’re thrilled to be nominated in this years’ awards. The teams have worked throughout this ongoing cost of living crisis to support our customers, and this is testament to the hard work and dedication despite their increased workload.” 

The winners will be announced as part of the IMA’s annual conference in Birmingham on 8th June. 

We would like to say a huge congratulations and well done to the team and have everything crossed for them at the awards.