Plain Numbers welcomes StepChange as a Partner.

We are delighted to announce an exciting partnership with the debt advice charity StepChange. Their team of experts help hundreds of thousands of people a year to deal with their debt problem.  

StepChange is the foremost debt advice and solution provider in the UK, offering invaluable support to their clients by providing them their debt-related options. They believe no one should have to pay for debt advise when they're already struggling and consistently strive to provide their clients with a positive experience of using their services.  

StepChange recognises the importance of clarity in conveying complex financial messages and wants to empower people with a comprehensive understanding of the debt advice provided to have a real impact on their financial wellbeing.  

Considering the customers serviced by StepChange – people grappling with debt – their clients are already financially vulnerable. Moreover, half of StepChange’s clients face additional challenges, compounding the complexity of their financial circumstances. Amidst these hurdles, understanding the numbers and numerical concepts should not be an added burden.  

At Plain Numbers, we are hugely enthusiastic about this collaboration with StepChange and the opportunities to make a difference to the financial future of those most in need. The statistics paint a stark picture: nearly half of the UK’s working-age adult population have numeracy levels equivalent to those expected of a primary school child. There is also evidence which links numeracy skills with the likelihood of someone experiencing debt.  

This alarming reality underscores the need for numbers to be communicated in a way more people will understand, particularly concerning financial products. Failure to understand such information can significantly impact a person’s financial well-being.  

Plain Numbers will work with StepChange over a three-year partnership. In this time members of the StepChange team will be trained in the Plain Numbers Approach, followed by ongoing support from the Plain Numbers Partnership team in applying this Approach across various communications channels – be it letters, online platforms, or app interfaces. The Plain Numbers Approach has been validated through randomised control trials, which demonstrated, on average, a doubling in the number of customers who understood the communications of diverse sectors.  

Through this collaborative effort, StepChange and Plain Numbers will equip people with the necessary tools to navigate their financial challenges with confidence and clarity, fostering a brighter financial future.