Money Advice Scotland's new chief executive writes on the challenges ahead amid the cost-of-living crisis

More than ever before, the issue of debt impacts all corners of communities across the country. In my previous role leading the growth of Wellbeing Scotland we focused on supporting survivors of childhood abuse and sexual exploitation. We fought hard to bring legislators, employers and civic society to the table to create a united, multi-disciplinary and focused ‘coalition of the willing’ to create a safe and inclusive space for survivors. We did this by empowering the people we helped by giving them a platform to speak and by ensuring our partners listened.

I saw many similarities when considering the challenge of leading Money Advice Scotland. The charity, powered by its amazing membership of money advisors across Scotland, are the front-line of helping people who are facing debt issues. They demonstrate technical expertise but also the compassion to offer practical support through listening and understanding the wider factors which may have brought someone to seek advice. With the brutal cost-of-living crisis and economic malaise affecting all demographics, our members tell us the volume and diversity of people seeking debt advice has never been greater.

I have inherited an amazing team. We have a shared determination that we need to expand the recognition and support for people living with debt into the homes, workplaces and schools of Scotland.

Our ‘Dignity First’ campaign which brought partners together to push for more inclusive language and the normalisation of financial challenges in the private and public sectors, driven by responsible reporting in the media is a benchmark of what’s to come. Representatives from housing providers, mental health campaigners, the financial services sector and journalists stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our members to promote the Guide for Compassionate Communication in Money and Debt.

This campaign is still underway - change doesn’t happen overnight - but it does represent a statement of intent from Money Advice Scotland. Our focus will always be on supporting our members and the clients they serve by offering training, encouraging joint-working and through influencing policy. However, ‘when the winds of change blow, it’s time to adjust your sails.’ I know the value of listening and I’ve seen the power of turning these insights into a meaningful platform and action-plan to help the people who need it most. There should be an expectation that all service-providers are trauma-informed. We need to have a national conversation around what that the term means and how we can achieve real understanding for the people who are at the sharp end. Debt is one of the drivers of trauma and that link should be called out and addressed.

I’d like to pay tribute to the work of John Poole, our out-going chair of Money Advice Scotland. John has worked tirelessly for the last six years to help shape the direction of MAS. We are now looking for a new chair to take the charity into an important phase. Please do get in touch via the Goodmoves advertisement if you would like a discussion on the role. This is important work, and I feel privileged to be involved.

Janine Rennie is chief executive of Money Advice Scotland