AIBU - My credit rating will never improve!

[binkyblinky]

Hello! After some general advice on how to improve my credit rating.

Five years ago I came into a large sum on money and cleared all of my debt (it was about 20K)

At the time I had a next account with about 2k on it, which I cleared. Stupidly I didn't close it, and spent it all again.

In the last month I have cleared the next account back to zero. I also cleared my Very account which was at about £1000 following Christmas gifts.

Despite paying well above the minimum, my credit rating had been falling and falling and was In the 'very poor category.

I paid for a credit file check and found an old default - five years ago for Orange mobile phone for £25!!!! It has been listed as default for 5 years. I didn't even know about it. I've paid it now, and the default company had my current address but didn't bother to write to me to Chase the debt.

I had another default for £101 following a dispute with Vodafone, this was paid a month ago as well.

I have a £200 overdraft, no loans, credit cards or car finance.

I appreciate I'm extremely lucky at 41 to have no debt at all.

I want to improve my credit rating. How do I do it. I need to close the next account as I'm not strong enough to resist temptation and not spend. Is there a way it will get better if I just keep my credit at zero?

I've fought with my mental health so much I really struggled to manage my finances. Finally, mentally I've started to become well, but I am still paying for being too ill to manage my finances. It would make me so happy to have a 'good' credit rating for once in my life.

Any tips appreciated xx

[binkyblinky]

Thankyou everyone for your advice. I'm going to wait until my credit rating shows my next and very account owing zero, and the defaults to clear, and then I'll perhaps try a small credit card.
I really appreciate your advice, thanks so much x