‘It makes a difference to have someone on your side.’

Money Buddies is a FREE service offering money and debt advice to the financially vulnerable in Leeds. We help people get out of debt and poverty, and start planning for their future.

Families in Leeds are struggling. Child poverty and the cost of living are both rising. Around 176,376 people in the city live in relative poverty - about 21% of the city's population.

Money Buddies are vital. They help people escape the 'poverty trap' and get towards a brighter, more secure financial future.

What Money Buddies do

Every day, our trained advisors give advice and information to people struggling with the rising cost of living. People come to us when they're behind on their bills, when they're struggling with the choice between 'heating and eating', and when they don't know where to turn.

All who visit us get help to manage their debts. Advisors can put 'breathing space' in place, giving clients time to manage their debts. They also complete a benefits check, making sure people are getting all the benefits they're entitled to, and help completing a budget.

Advisors give 'hidden education', teaching people how to switch supplier and shop around for better deals. Everybody who visits us learns something that can help them in the future. Up to 90% of people who visit us learn what they need to know, to never have to come and see us again.

This help changes lives. In 2024, we helped 4,000 people to make their money go further, and to increase what they have coming in.

When people come to see us, they see a Money Buddy face to face. This kind of support isn't available anywhere else. We're available across the city, in community hubs and in foodbanks, and we're available to help when people need us most.

Money Buddies can keep supporting somebody through all of the steps needed to prioritise and clear debts, improving their financial situation and bringing new hope. Our support has prevented homelessness, hunger, prosecution of the vulnerable, and kept families warm throughout the cold winter months.

‘I was rather anxious about coming to Money Buddies having never needed a service like this. I was treated with kindness and respect and even given a lovely cup of tea. Everything was dealt with smoothly efficiently and explained effectively.  Thank you very much for your help’ 

We've won awards including: 'Debt Project of the Year'. We also won 'Debt Team of the Year' and 'Best Financial Capability Project'. We regularly show up as an expert voice on shows like GMB, The Martin Lewis Money Show, and Look North. We are small, but we are mighty.

More people need Money Buddies than ever, and your help will help us reach the people who need us.

Your donation will help us keep providing advice and financial empowerment which changes lives. We are asking for your help today so that we can help families to have warmth, energy, food, and to escape poverty.

‘Great service, lovely, caring people who genuinely want to help people and you can feel that they care about you and your situation’

Whatever you can give will help us reach the people who need us. Please click the button to make a donation to Money Buddies today.

Money Buddies is the operating name for Burmantofts Community Projects.