A report from Rose Regeneration, has found that Advice NI’s debt service is essential to improving social outcomes in Northern Ireland. The evaluation firm carried out an analysis of the support provided by Advice NI’s debt service during the period from April 2024 to March 2025 and found that it delivers a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of £5.83 for every £1 invested.
Rose Regeneration used its Social Value Engine, a unique online tool accredited by Social Value International, to place a value of £8,938,767 on the social impact created by Advice NI’s debt service. The value was based on how the service ensures people are better able to manage their money, delivers increased financial resilience, stability, security and dignity, and reduces anxiety and stress after getting specialist debt advice.
Funded by Department for Communities, Advice NI has been delivering this debt advice service since 2019, in partnership with 17 of their community-based members located across Northern Ireland. The service is the largest free debt advice provision in the region, offering free, confidential, and impartial support to businesses and individuals.
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons said, “The findings of this report demonstrate clearly the significant social return on investment delivered by the Northern Ireland Debt Advice Service. This service is adding value and making a real and lasting difference to people’s lives, supporting individuals and families who are facing financial difficulties and helping them regain stability and confidence and improve their quality of life. I commend all those involved for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring that vital advice and support is available to those who need it most.”
Rose Regeneration’s analysis highlighted that many of the people Advice NI helped in 2024/25 accumulated debt to manage day-to-day living costs. 77 per cent had turned off the heating because they couldn’t afford it and 57 per cent had experienced going without food. Most worryingly, 15 per cent had felt suicidal before seeking advice.
It also shows that in 2024/25, Advice NI increased financial gains for clients by 185 per cent compared to 2023/24, reaching a total of £2,441,383. In most cases (93 per cent), this meant getting the debt either fully or partially written off, giving the client a vital fresh start.
Sinead Campbell, Head of Money, Debt and Quality at Advice NI explained that in today’s climate, more people are at risk of debt.
She said, “Today’s high cost of living means more of us are vulnerable to financial stress. Many of the people who come to us for advice are not financially irresponsible but are struggling to make their income stretch to cover essential costs. Often, it only takes an unexpected event such as an illness or a job loss to kickstart a negative cycle. We need to challenge and remove the stigma associated with debt and we are pleased that Rose Regeneration’s analysis highlights the significant positive impact of receiving professional debt advice.
“Many people struggle in silence, which has a profound impact on other areas of their life, including their relationships, self-worth and mental health. It is crucial that people reach out to us for support as early as possible. Our expert advisers can help manage and negotiate existing debts, as well as help people understand their entitlements, and review their budgets identifying ways to maximise income and reduce expenditure.”
The Rose Regeneration report also shared an insight into the experiences people had whilst using the debt service revealing that 94 per cent now feel able to manage their money better, 90 per cent feel their emotional wellbeing improved from the advice they received, and 89 per cent felt that their overall situation has improved.
A service user said, “Due to a previous recession and illness, we had built up legacy debt and despite years of paying off interest we simply couldn’t get on top of it because the cost-of-living and interest rate rises made it impossible. Our situation was unsustainable and desperate, so we turned to Advice NI and were supported without judgement and finally received the help we needed.”
Social Value has been embedded in legislation in England & Wales since 2013, but in Northern Ireland, it is implemented through policy rather than standalone legislation. However, it is a mandatory part of public procurement and a growing number of funders and government departments are becoming more interested in how organisations demonstrate their social value.
Interim Chief Executive of Advice NI, Fiona Magee, explained how important it is to organisations to communicate their impact.
She said, “This report provides clear evidence of the value our debt service delivers for individuals, families, and communities across Northern Ireland. Every pound invested generates significant social value while helping people improve their financial resilience, reduce stress, and rebuild their lives. As financial pressures continue, it is essential that specialist debt advice remains available to those who need it most. We remain grateful to the Department for Communities for its continued support.”
The Social Value Analysis was performed by Conor McGale, Evaluation and Impact Manager at Rose Regeneration.
He said, “Measuring the tangible costs and outputs of an activity is relatively straightforward. We may know the inputs – the funding, equipment, or volunteers, and the outputs expected. However, the greater challenge is quantifying the wider social, economic, and environmental outcomes that a project or service is delivering. This is what social value does. It bridges the gap between the monetary value we spend on delivering an activity, and the value of that same investment in terms of wider benefits for the local community. We were delighted to partner with Advice NI on this analysis to demonstrate the importance of its debt service in Northern Ireland.”
