Our Impact
Why our work matters
In Stockton, poverty isn’t just a statistic- it’s a daily reality for thousands. Rising debt, low incomes, and complex challenges mean people are falling through the cracks.
Nearly 1 in 3 children in Stockton lives below the poverty line. But our team helps catch them, providing practical, local support that gets results.
Our clients come from all walks of life, but many face real disadvantage
62% live in social or private rented housing
77% have a disability or long-term health condition
57% have a household income under £1,200 a month
When people in Stockton don’t know where else to turn, they turn to us.
In 2024–25, we supported thousands of local residents to deal with problems that could have pushed them into crisis – from benefits and debt, to housing, energy bills and employment. Many people came to us with more than one issue at a time, and often after trying other routes that hadn’t worked.
58,000+
detailed advice issues
recorded for local
residents
enquiries
2,400+
quick queries
answered through
brief advice and
signposting
- Most people we helped were facing multiple, complex problems, not just one issue
- The most common advice areas were benefits and tax credits, debt, housing, and energy and utilities
- We worked with over 130 local partners – from the council and NHS teams to community organisations, foodbanks and schools – to make sure people could reach us quickly and get joined-up support
At A Glance
We’re seeing rising complexity and increasing first-time clients – particularly around benefits and debt.
60,700+
enquiries
13,100+
unique clients
supported
£16.3m
secured in
financial outputs
for clients
93%
client
satisfaction
£4.2m
debt
written off*
131
Partners
The Value of SDAIS
£46.7m Total value to society delivered in 2024/25
For every £1 invested…
£2.52
Fiscal savings (to government services)
£16.51
Public value (to society)
£14.52
Value to people helped (clients directly)
Savings for Stockton Borough Council
£492,047
saved by preventing homelessness, evictions, and reducing demand on mental health services
£42,608
saved through Council Tax arrears support
Savings for the NHS
£522,069
saved by reducing GP and mental health service use, and helping people stay in work
Direct Impact for Local People
£20.2m overall value to clients through increased income, reduced debts, and improved wellbeing
Support that prevents crisis, strengthens households, and builds resilience
The difference we made this year
In 2024-25, we helped thousands of local people secure real, measurable outcomes:
£16.3 million
in extra income for residents- helping families heat their homes, feed their children, and reduce stress.
£3.1 million
in debt written off – lifting the burden of unmanageable debt that can lead to homelessness, mental health issues, and family breakdown.
£43,000
in repayments rescheduled – giving breathing space to people
trapped by arrears.
7,759
financial outcomes delivered for 2,873 Stockton clients, evidencing the scale and depth of support provided.
£5,700
gained on average, per client, in income or debt relief – support that can be the difference between coping and crisis.
A holistic, embedded service
Our clients rarely face just one problem. They come to us with 4–5 issues on average – benefits, debt, housing, employment, relationships.
Because we’re embedded in the community and co-located with a Wellbeing Hub in a central high street location, we’re able to offer wholeperson
support that’s easy to access, trusted, and joined-up with wider services.
Being on the high street isn’t just symbolic, but means people can find us when they’re at their lowest, without needing referrals or appointments.
Co-located with mental health services, our hub offers visible, stigmafree support that people trust.
The impact isn’t just financial. People tell us they feel calmer, more in control, and more able to move forward after receiving support.
And because we’re not tied to rigid categories or time limits, we can walk with clients until they’re truly back on their feet.
Innovation and added value
We also hold a national Debt Relief Order (DRO) contract, which last year enabled £19.6 million in debt write-offs across the UK.
Through this, we generate income that we reinvest to strengthen our local offer – ensuring Stockton residents benefit from national resources and smarter ways of working.
This flexibility in how we use funding means we can fill gaps, respond faster, and deliver support that reflects real life, not just reportable outputs.