About Us - St Luke's Advice Service

Read Our Vision for 2021

St Luke’s Advice Service is a registered charity, providing free welfare benefit and debt advice to people in need across the city of Brighton & Hove.

From our friendly offices, close to Seven Dials, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers provide 1 to 1 support for those who are struggling to claim the benefits they need and/or need help with managing debt.

We strive to achieve best practice in all aspects of diversity and inclusion. We are affiliated to St Luke’s Church, Prestonville and Christian values are central to our work; this does not constrain who we help, we are open to everyone and are proud to serve the whole community.

Our team’s knowledge and expertise in the areas of debt management, tax and benefits help people overcome their financial struggles. However, it is our team’s compassion that helps people to feel whole again, feel connected to their communities and able to get back on with their lives.

The Impact We Have

There are no words for the support I had. Trevor is wonderful. I really do not know how I could have gone on without your support. Trevor and John made life bearable for me... the pressure of my situation and ill health retirement was beyond words and a special thank you to Grace who goes out of her way to help and support all of us, she is truly amazing.

(You) helped me at one of the lowest points in my life. Without your help or understanding of the benefits systems I am not sure where I would be today.

It was amazing to me that at no point during my appointment did I feel that I was being a burden, nor did I feel that I was being rushed through the process. The consideration and time I was given by Liz and her assistance, as well as kindness and understanding truly stands out. They made an extremely difficult task for me very easy and comfortable.

...consistently so impressed by the quality of the service and Clare's calm, personable manner and her knowledge around benefits. I can't thank you enough for the support and guidance you've shown me around the often confusing and overwhelming benefits system.

My adviser was incredibly friendly and put me at ease. She was respectful and empathetic and I felt listened to. You can see that she is very passionate about her job and genuinely cares.

I would like to thank John for all his hard work in helping me through all of my financial problems. A really excellent service.

We helped 459 people last year

45% MORE clients than the previous year

574 face-to-face appointments

More and more people need our advice service.

77%

of clients felt less anxious about their situation after receiving help

100%

Felt they had been supported to resolve the problem they cam to us with.

521 Cases

49% more cases opened in the last 12 months, vs 2017

100%

Felt they were treated fairly and would recommend our service to others.

Over £600k

of additional benefits awarded to our clients

Helping people to secure the benefits they desperately need

We Succeeded in 89% of Benefit Tribunals last year

Guiding our clients through the appeal process and giving moral support at tribunals when we can

Almost £500k in debt written off with the help of our advice team

Our teams knowledge, expertise, commitment and compassion is what enables them to help so many people through difficult times

We have been audited by Recognising Excellence on behalf of the Advice Services Alliance and have proudly held the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) for many years. The AQS is an award granted to organisations providing the highest quality of advice.

As we provide money advice, St Lukes Advice Service is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Reference Number 626265).

St Luke’s Advice Service is an active member within two partnership organisations led by Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove, Advice Matters and Moneyworks. We are proud to provide a key service to people in need across our city, working alongside Brighton Housing Trust, Money Advice Plus, YMCA Youth Advice Centre, Possibility People, Hangleton & Knoll Project, East Sussex Credit Union and Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project.