to ask where you can go in Birmingham to get a debt management plan

[Libbity]

trying to get the DD of a friend some help with her debts - usual story of too much going out and not enough coming in.

Think if she can get help from a non charlaton organisation she'd get on top of things but just can't find a number to give her. Anyone know about this stuff?

Google step change (used to be cccs). They are a national charity dealing with these issues. You have to be careful with the commercial companies as theor fees can be quite high

call the debt management advice service.

Also advice on here

Agree. Stepchange - all done by phone / online.

Echo the others, don't go to any of the commercial organisations - you can get the same service at Stepchange etc for free.

link to Step Change

OP, please tell your friend there is no need to pay anyone for advice or help. There are lots of companies that will 'manage' debts for a fee, but there are organisations that do it absolutely free. Your friend should make sure that every penny she's repaying goes to creditors and not to a bunch of shysters trying to make money out of the misfortunes of others.

Good luck!

As above. A family member used these people and they were fabulous. You obviously have to work with them but she did and paid off a large debt relatively painlessly once she was organised.

Birminthan settlement. Been around for years, free and fab. birminghamsettlement.org.uk/money-advice/community-money-advice-centre/

There's also Christians Against Poverty, you can find out where your nearest centre is and book an appointment by calling 0800 328 0006. They are free, and do home visits

There's a service where I live called two Pennies but I'm just south of Birmingham

Stepchange are really good, I highly recommend them.

I'd use stepchange. They have an online form you can fill in with all income and outgoings and gives you the best option for the circumstances. Then she can phone up and talk through it with someone who can access the form (with permission) and set up payment plans or debt relief order, whichever is the nest option.

StepChange are wonderful. As are Payplan, they're free to the user, but charge the creditors.

I'm surprised no one has said CAB for money advice - they can also look to make sure everything benefits wise is being claimed that can be.

Wicked the CAB are great but they are very over stretched in the big cities and it can take a while to get an appointment. That's why I suggested Step Change instead.

I use StepChange, they are great.

Thanks - will pass on all this information. Think it will be lifechanging for her.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau will probably have a debt specialist.