This week sees the launch of AdviceUK’s new Advice Saves campaign to raise awareness of AdviceUK and the fantastic work of its members across England, Scotland and Wales. Advice Saves launches in our first ever Advice Week that is taking place this week, Monday 21 October – Friday 25 October 2024.
Through the Advice Saves campaign we are highlighting the key challenges faced by advice-giving organisations and calling for policy change to support the advice sector.
Our Advice Saves research, launched in Advice Week, reveals that independent advice services across the UK are at breaking point. A staggering 90% of advice centre staff report an increase in demand over the last year; yet more than half (55%) report they are not confident they can meet demand.
The survey of 247 independent advice-giving organisations across the UK reveals that only one in ten (11%) report feeling extremely confident they have funding to continue operating over the next year. More than one third, 35%, say they are not confident about their financial stability.
Furthermore, nearly two-thirds (61%) of organisations say they are likely to reduce or cut services within the next year due to financial constraints, with 23% stating they are ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ likely.
We know that the advice sector depends on highly trained, professional staff as well as volunteers who offer a lifeline to people facing the hardest of challenges. Yet almost all of the organisations (88%) say that recruiting and retaining staff is a significant hurdle, with 4 out of 10 (42%) stating it is extremely or very challenging. The heavy burden on staff is apparent with only 3% of respondents rating their wellbeing as ‘excellent’ in the past six months. Meanwhile, almost one in five (20%) reporting their wellbeing as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, raising concerns about burnout and retention in this vital sector.
Liz Bayram, CEO of AdviceUK said:
“Our survey results reveal a sector under immense pressure – we have overstretched, dedicated staff working tirelessly to offer a lifeline to people in crisis, but a lack of sustainable funding means they are at a breaking point.
“Our Advice Saves campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the life-saving work independent advice organisations do across the country and call for long-term funding and resource solutions to ensure that they can continue to support those most in need in our society.”
We know that catching problems early before they escalate is cost effective and can save money for the public purse before individuals present to other over-burdened services such as the NHS, local authorities and the criminal justice system.
Through the Advice Saves campaign we are calling for sustainable funding through mandating local authorities to provide social welfare advice; a comprehensive advice sector strategy similar to the Welsh Government’s Information and Advice Action Plan; and a workforce development strategy with improved career pathways including apprenticeships to support recruitment, development and retention.
Liz Bayram continued:
“A robust and secure funding model is essential to ensure these vital services can continue to support vulnerable people across the UK. Through the Advice Saves campaign we urge policymakers and funders to recognise the long-term nature of these issues and invest in the future of advice services so they can keep their doors open to those who need them most.”
AdviceUK members will be raising concerns directly with MPs and policy makers at the Advice Saves parliamentary reception on Tuesday 22 October.
Read the full Advice Saves report:
Read the Advice Saves Survey Results Report
Read our stories of life-transforming work of independent advice centres