Curo's Money Advice service has put more than £1.1 million into customers' pockets across the South West over the past year.

An experienced and friendly team of advisors work in-house at Curo. They use their in-depth knowledge of budgeting, debt management, benefits and grants to help customers manage their finances and access money they wouldn't otherwise get.

"The team are delighted that we've been able to help ease the financial pressures on our customers," says Sarah Rogers, Customer Accounts Manager at Curo. "Our Money and Benefit Advice services have been a real lifeline for customers during the current Cost of Living crisis, which has seen many struggling with soaring food and energy prices. These figures speak for themselves in showing how the service supports our customers into a better financial place. It's life-changing for many."

Transforming finances

The Money Advice service helped transform the finances of customer Brigid Nolan . "It's a godsend that the service has managed my finances," she says. "I've never felt so supported in my life. It makes me feel so good that Curo colleagues cared enough to help me."

The complex benefits maze makes it difficult for many customers to know what they're entitled to. Money Advice colleagues identify the benefits customers should apply for and support them every step of the way in claiming. In total, they've helped customers claim £68,276, or £734 per customer supported in the past year.

Financial knowledge

Money Advice colleagues also use their financial knowledge to help customers reduce their debt, expenditure and rent arrears, while increasing their income and accessing charity and grant payments. This has made customers a total of £291,192 better off, or an average of £4,282 per customer supported. In total, the Money Advice service accessed £103,186 in backdated benefits and charity and grant payments in the past year.

Curo's Passport to Housing service has saved customers a total of £743,533, or £3,541 per customer supported. Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through Bath & North East Somerset's Homesearch and South Gloucestershire's Homechoice schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.

Money worries? Get in touch

"Our message to customers is, if you're having trouble with money, it's always worth giving Curo's Money Advice service a call," says Sarah. "We have access to grants and funds that you may not know about. Please don't suffer in silence – pick up the phone and get in touch."

Customers can contact the service either by phone on 01225 366000, or by email [email protected].