History

..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
BDAC was originally a response by a group of legal professionals in Bristol who recognised the damaging effect debt has on individuals and families. Starting off in the basement of a house in Redland, BDAC has grown in size and reputation through the support of early volunteers and a strong staff team.

1989-1996

  • volunteers trained and first advice sessions start in the basement of one of the Founder’s houses on Ravenswood Road Redland
  • Small office space secured in church hall – The Elmgrove Centre
  • First major grants secured from the Tudor Trust and Church Urban Fund
  • Community outreach session started in Knowle West and Lawrence Weston
  • Martin Green appointed as full time manager as demand for BDAC’s services grow
  • Money Matters Step-by-Step guide to debt management produced
  • First grant secured from Bristol City Council
  • Relocation to Shop front premises in the heart of Easton
  • Independent evaluation of services carried out ‘…this evaluation has shown BDAC as a highly professional, specialist money advice agency providing a high quality service for the people of Bristol.  Its work is a vital part of advice work generally and provides a  crucial lifeline for people at one of the most distressing time of their lives’


1996-2004

  • Nick Park (of Aardman Animations) started supporting BDAC as patron, providing invaluable support for many years.
  • ’500 fives’ campaign launch
  • Achieved Legal Aid Franchise status (since renamed Community Legal Services ‘Specialist Quality Mark’)
  • Community outreach sessions started in Easton, St Pauls and Lockleaze – deprived areas of the city
  • Relocated to new shared voluntary sector premises on West St, St Philips where BDAC remains today!
  • First client survey undertaken
  • Plain English Campaign gave crystal mark to BDAC’s new self help guide
  • Community Fund grant secured to start outreach sessions targeting Black and Ethnic Minority Communities and home visiting service started targeting disabled peope/carers
  • Pilot money management courses introduced to prevent debt
  • ‘Tackling the debt problem’ conference organised
  • Debt advice training courses introduced
  • Funding from South Gloucestershire Council secured in recognition of hte support given to South Glos residents
  • Social Policy campaign against door step lending supported

2005-2008

  • 15th Birthday celebrated!
  • Third independent evaluation carried out confirming that BDAC makes a major contribution to communities in Bristol and the surrounding areas
  • Referral scheme with Payplan and CCCS piloted
  • Trainee project launched in partnership with CEED
  • Energy Advice Project launched through funding from EDF Energy Trust
  • Delivered training on behalf of the Money Advice Trust (MAT) and South West Advice Training (SWAT)
  • Worked in partnership with Fairbridge West to improve financial capability amongst young people
  • Advice and training delivered to Credit Union members
  • Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) grant for regional advice partnership secured and 26 debt advice trainees recruited with BDAC acting as Lead Agency
  • Bailiff survey conducted
  • ‘Free cash point’ campaign supported
  • Expansion of Energy Advice Project following grant from the British Gas Energy Trust
  • Appointed as Lead Agency for the Wessex Financial Capability Forum
  • Direct referral scheme set up for social tenants developed with Knightstone Housing Association
  • Financial Inclusion Funding secured for 3 years until 2011

2009-2011

  •  Financial Inclusion Fund Advisers attend 10 Downing St
  • Pilot triage scheme launched with Bristol City Council’s Rent Management Team
  • Prison outreach at Horfield prison starts
  • ‘Putting Policy Into Practice’ social policy project launched
  • Funding secured to start FUTURES self-help and financial capability service
  • Successful consortia relationships built
  • Three year Legal Services Commission (LSC) contract secured
  • Three year Bristol City Council contract secured
  • Media campaign against cuts to end the Financial Inclusion Fund.  BDAC project manager speaks on BBC Points West and engages in national lobby. The project is extended for one year to March 2012 and is renamed the Face to Face (F2F) Project.
  • Investment in three key income generation roles
  • Successful completion of ‘Putting Policy into Practice’ project with key results in changes to Local Authority Bailiff policy and practice and changes within Lloyds TSB’s debt recovery procedures
  • Following new funding the Energy Advice Team expands, gaining two new Energy Advice Assistants
  • BDAC’s Advice Manager Frank Band acts a consultant to Bosnia’s first Debt Advice Centre
  • BDAC partners with TaxAid to offer face to face tax help via video link
  • BDAC launches the BDAC Wall an initiative to break down the stigma surrounding debt and raise funds
  • BDAC helps over 2,500 people with full debt advice and casework support in 2010-2011 and fields over 8,000 enquiries.
  • BDAC takes part in the Bristol 10k raising over £2,000 to help vulnerable clients
  • Linda celebrates her 20th Anniversary of being with BDAC.  She has helped countless people regain control of their finances through her advice and support
  • Celebrates 21 years of changing lives through tackling financial problems!