St. Luke’s Advice Service is a community charity dedicated to supporting Brighton & Hove residents experiencing financial hardship. We provided free, expert advice on welfare benefits and debt, helping people in crisis to stabilise their situation and build long-term financial resilience.

Our clients are often among the most vulnerable in the community, experiencing poverty alongside disability, poor mental health, and social isolation. Many struggle to access mainstream services. Our inclusive, compassionate approach ensures they are not left behind.

With a small, dedicated team of staff and seven volunteers, we provide expert, compassionate advice through phone, email, and in-person appointments. Each year, we help hundreds of people navigate complex welfare systems, appeal decisions, manage debt, and build confidence in their ability to move forward.

In 2024/25, the need for our work continued to grow - and so did our impact:

• £1.8 million in annualised unclaimed benefits accessed for clients.

• £1.3 million in debt written off or managed for 93 individuals.

• 878 clients supported across 974 benefit and debt cases — a 26% and 29% increase respectively on the previous year.

• 3,060 new enquiries, up 13% year-on-year, reflecting growing community need.

Our impact goes beyond the numbers. After receiving support from St. Luke’s:

• 95% of clients said their understanding of their rights and options improved.

• 57% felt more confident about their financial situation.

• 62% reported reduced anxiety, and 68% experienced less stress and worry.

• 82% felt well-supported with benefit and debt issues.

• 100% said they were treated fairly and would recommend our service to others.

These outcomes show that our service makes a tangible difference - helping people regain control of their finances, reduce stress, and rebuild confidence.