Michele Wigram
Debt Specialist

The Bureau has dealt with 2,180 initial debt enquiries. A large majority of these enquiries were for information and guidance; 650 clients requested further assistance to resolve their issues, of which 506 clients disclosed their total debt, which amounted to £11,251,132 That gives an average debt per client of £22,235. The Bureau believes that this figure represents the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of people in the Chelmsford area who are trying to cope with debt problems. Many people struggle on alone in an effort to keep their creditors at bay. Others seek assistance from debt management companies who charge a fee for their work and frequently deliver a poor quality service.

The Bureau’s debt specialist, Michele Wigram, deals daily with clients who need assistance to manage their debts. She is the second of two advisers in the newly-opened Specialist Advice Unit, as highlighted earlier. Michele has been a money adviser since 1991 and has wide experience in dealing with debt- related issues. She said: “The legal help service is valuable to those who qualify but I think anyone in the Bureau will tell you that there are a lot of people in debt who are equally desperate but don’t qualify for legal help. After all, the more people earn the more they can borrow. When someone comes to you with multiple debt problems they don’t know which way to turn. Many of them are too embarrassed to even mention their problems to friends and family. Quite often the problems are due to a change of circumstances such as separation, unemployment or illness. However, I also believe that credit is too easily available and clients are sometimes the victims of irresponsible lending. What appeals to me is helping them make sense out of their situation – helping them to prioritise, maximising their income, looking at ways to reduce their expenditure and negotiating affordable payments to their creditors. The relief on their faces after finding a way forward at their first interview is very rewarding.”

Over 3.5 times the number of clients disclosed their debts (141 in 2004 – 2005). The Bureau has also advised on over 3 times the amount of debt (£3,508,354 in 2004 – 2005).

Back to Annual Review