Irina
Overwhelmed by £3,600 in debt and struggling with limited income, Irina received vital support from Positive Action in Housing’s Financial Inclusion Project, which negotiated a manageable repayment plan, helping her regain control of her finances.
Irina, 38, originally from Russia, found herself overwhelmed by £3,600 in debt, with creditors constantly pressuring her for payments. Her limited income from Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance wasn’t enough to cover her basic living costs. After having to leave her job due to personal circumstances, her mental health suffered, and she felt trapped and isolated by her financial situation.
Without fluent English, Irina didn’t know where to turn for help. Feeling hopeless, she came across Positive Action in Housing’s Multilingual Welfare Rights and Debt Services. Our team, working in partnership with Community Money Advice (CMA), stepped in to find a solution. Together, we reviewed her finances, gathered the necessary evidence, and began negotiating with her creditors. Through strong advocacy, we secured a £1-a-month repayment plan from each creditor.
Irina's caseworker tailored a solution to her needs, lifting the burden of debt and helping her regain control of her life.
You helped me resolve the debts hanging over my head. I couldn’t pay them back and didn’t know what to do. Now I feel relieved—no more threatening letters or calls.