Debt advisers from South Glos charity named Debt Team of the Year at prestigious national awards
- Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s specialist debt team have won the Institute of Money Advisers’ national award for Debt Team of the Year
- The team are based at the charity’s office in Yate and also run an outreach session in Staple Hill each Thursday
- It’s the third year in a row the team have either been shortlisted for or won an IMA award
A team of South Gloucestershire debt experts who provide crucial help for people struggling have been named Debt Team of the Year.
The specialist debt team at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire – consisting of Yvonne Parks, Eliza Hirst, Linda Mullholland and Angus Macdonald – received the award yesterday (12th June).
This is a national award provided by the Institute of Money Advisers (IMA) – the organisation that provides accreditation for money advisers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is the third year in a row the team have either been shortlisted or won an IMA award. Debt Team Manager Yvonne was shortlisted for national Adviser of the Year in 2023 and debt adviser Angus won national Newcomer of the Year last year.
It is very rare for a team to get this kind of recognition three years in a row at the awards and speaks volumes of the team’s strength and dedication to helping those who need it in South Gloucestershire.
Debt Team of the Year
The team help people who have complex debts and have come to the charity’s face-to-face drop-in sessions – or who have been referred through another route such as by the charity’s Food Bank Adviser.
They also see clients who have been referred by advisers on the charity’s projects including When Advice Really Matters (WARM) – a partnership with health services in the region – and the Ingeus project which helps people on probation.
The team of four advisers – whose hours add up to around two full-time equivalents -helped more than 500 people in 2024-25, writing off £1.5 million of debt.
This includes helping people with council tax arrears, credit card debts, water debts and mortgage and rent arrears as well as other types of debt.
The free advice provided by the team is immensely valuable for people struggling in South Gloucestershire – who may feel they have nowhere else to turn for help.
The team were shortlisted for the award due to:
- The wealth of experience they bring – particularly Yvonne and Adviser Linda, who have 64 years of specialist debt advice experience between them
- The team’s commitment to standards of excellence – regulated by the IMA
- Three of the four advisers being Debt Relief Order (DRO) intermediaries – meaning they can apply for DROs on the client’s behalf, allowing the client to have up to £50,000 written off
- The team’s approach to looking at at cases holistically – meaning they don’t only investigate the debt the client has come to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire but check underlying reasons for the debt and look for ways of maximising income
How the team helps
The team help people through several channels: face-to-face, in the charity’s office in Yate as well as an outreach session at Page Community Association in Staple Hill on Thursdays; via phone; and via email.
All of the advisers in the team have passed the IMA’s Certificate in Money Advice Practice – which combined with four years of practical experience allows a person to become a specialist debt adviser.
And the debt team also campaign on social policy issues – such as recently putting pressure on a new water provider in the area to begin offering the equivalent social tariffs as offered by Bristol and Wessex Water.
Words from Debt Team Manager Yvonne
Debt Team Manager Yvonne Parks said: “There were hundreds of money advisers from all over the country representing advice centres and local Citizens Advice offices and when our name was called out as the winner, we were thrilled and delighted.
“We went on to the stage to be presented with a certificate and trophy, and Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire will also receive £500.
“We are a team of four specialist debts advisers with 72 years combined debt advice experience. We deal with all types of debts from mortgage and rent arrears, bailiffs, council tax, credit debts and all forms of court work including County Court, Magistrates Court and High Court.
“We can advise anyone on their options such as payment plans, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), bankruptcy, debt relief orders and applications to court and, between us, there is no debt situation that we have not seen before and helped to resolve.
“We work to exceptionally high standards, and this recognition for our hardworking team affirms all our hard work. We are completely non-judgemental. We know that debts arises from complex situations outside our client’s control and it is a very courageous person who takes the first step in coming to see us to ask for our help in moving forwards.
“That is the most difficult step – once clients know that they have options to deal with debts and that we will be with them every step of the way the most common thing we hear is ‘I wish I’d come to you sooner’.
“Having our work and commitment recognised with this award is a tribute to our excellent debt team and has given us a huge boost. We feel proud and delighted, and are looking forward to continuing our work in our new offices, helping people all over South Gloucestershire with their debts.”
One of Yvonne’s many achievements in her career was representing a client in an important legal case – Bristol and West Plc v Bartlett – which established the precedent for the length of time mortgage lenders have to pursue borrowers for outstanding amounts even after the lender has repossessed and sold the property.
The IMA Awards winners were presented on Thursday 12th June at the IMA Conference at The Rep Theatre, Birmingham.
Anyone living in South Gloucestershire who needs help with debt is asked to come to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s face-to-face drop-in sessions around the region in the first instance.
The times and locations of these can be found at: https://www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-advice/visit-us/
Published 13/06/25.
