About
Us
Who We Are
At Debt Free Advice, we believe no one should face the stress of debt alone. As a coalition of charities led by Toynbee Hall, we are dedicated to offering free, impartial, and expert debt advice to anyone in financial difficulty. Our mission is clear: to help individuals and families take control of their finances, achieve stability, and move toward a debt-free future.
For nearly 20 years, we’ve stood beside Londoners during life’s toughest moments—from the 2008 financial crash to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Each year, our services adapt and grow, ensuring we remain accessible, innovative, and responsive to the unique needs of our clients.
What We
Offer
Accessible Support
We provide advice through a wide range of channels—face-to-face, telephone, video chat, WhatsApp, and more—so help is always available at a time and place that suits you.
Find Support Now
Tailored Solutions
Whether you’re struggling with rent arrears, energy bills, or credit card debt, our expert advisors work with you to explore options and find the best path forward.
Explore Solutions
Real Impact
In the past year alone, we’ve supported over 18,000 people, helping them become £13 million better off financially.
See Our Impact
Our
Values
Integrity
Grounds us in a moral code to deliver high-quality advice that meets the needs of our customers.
Innovation
Ensures we challenge complacency, leading with a ‘solutions-focused’ mindset to bring about meaningful change.
Empowerment
Empowers customers to take control of their personal finances to lead them to a debt-free world, while also empowering our colleagues to develop their careers through a high-performance culture.
Our
Partners
Leadership Team
Meet our leadership team supporting our partners and frontline staff, working behind the scenes to help deliver expert debt advice and vital support to those who need it most. Click on their profiles to learn more about their roles and how to get in touch with them.
Matt Dronfield
subtitle: Managing Director of Debt Free Advice
Matt is Managing Director of Debt Free Advice and has led our partnership since January 2019. He is responsible for ensuring we can offer free, expert advice to over 24,000 people each year.
Amaka Menakaya
subtitle: Head of Grant Delivery
Amaka is our Head of Grant Delivery. Prior to joining the team in August 2016, Amaka was a Grant Manager at a non-departmental public body.
Sharaf Mahmood
subtitle: Head of Direct Delivery
Sharaf is our Head of Direct Delivery for Central and East London and supports Debt Free London's partner organisations to provide high-quality advice. Before joining the team in April 2019 Sharaf managed a number of large employment contracts for a charity in East London.
Necla Bakirci
subtitle: Head of Quality and Compliance
Necla is our Head of Quality and Compliance at Debt Free Advice. She is dedicated to ensuring that the debt advice delivered across the DFA partnership meets the highest standards of quality.
Liam Randall
subtitle: Head of Impact and Strategy
Liam joined Debt Free Advice in April 2021 and, in his role as Head of Impact and Strategy, he leads on culture, innovation and marketing.
Find your nearest advice location
Barking Learning Centre
Barking Learning Centre
Monday: 09.30 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09.30 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09.30 - 17.00
Thursday: 09.30 - 17.00
Friday: 09.30 - 17.00
Citizens Advice Brent
Citizens Advice Brent
Monday: 10.00 - 16.00
Tuesday: 10.00 - 16.00
Wednesday: 10.00 - 16.00
Thursday: 10.00 - 16.00
Friday: 10.00 - 16.00
Citizens Advice Bromley
Citizens Advice Bromley
Monday: 09:00 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09:00 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09:00 - 17.00
Thursday: 09:00 - 17.00
Friday: 09:00 - 17.00
Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham
Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham
Monday: 10:00-16:00
Tuesday: 10:00-16:00
Wednesday: 10:00-16:00
Thursday: 10:00-16:00
Friday: 10:00-16:00
Citizens Advice Lewisham
Citizens Advice Lewisham
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Speak to an Adviser by calling free on 0800 231 5453.
South West London Law Centres - Croydon
South West London Law Centres - Croydon
Monday: 09.30-17.00
Tuesday: 09.30-17.00
Wednesday: 09.30-17.00
Thursday: 09.30-17.00
Friday: 09.30-17.00
Citizens Advice Waltham Forest
Citizens Advice Waltham Forest
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Call the adviceline on 0300 330 1175 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Mary Ward Legal Centre
Mary Ward Legal Centre
*no drop ins available*
Monday: 09:30 -17:30
Tuesday: 09:30 -17:30
Wednesday: 09:30 -17:30
Thursday: 09:30 -17:30
Friday: 09:30 -17:30
Citizens Advice Southwark
Citizens Advice Southwark
Monday: 10.00 - 14.00
Tuesday: 10.00 - 14.00
Wednesday: 10.00 - 14.00
Thursday: 10.00 - 14.00
Friday: 10.00 - 14.00
Nucleus
Nucleus
Monday: 10:00-16:00
Tuesday: 10:00-16:00
Wednesday: 10:00-16:00
Thursday: 10:00-16:00
Friday: 10:00-16:00
Call for a free advice session at 020 7373 4005
Mon-Fri, 10AM-4PM
Citizens Advice Sutton
Citizens Advice Sutton
Monday: 09.00 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 09.00 - 17.00
Friday: 09.00 - 17.00
Toynbee Hall
Toynbee Hall
Monday: 10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 16:00
Friday: 10:00 - 16:00
Citizens Advice Westminster
Citizens Advice Westminster
Monday: 09.00 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 09.00 - 17.00
Friday: 09.00 - 17.00
Citizens Advice Islington
Citizens Advice Islington
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
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If you live or work in Islington, please call our debt line on 020 3745 8921.
Nucleus at the Lido Centre
Nucleus at the Lido Centre
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Call for a free advice session at 020 7373 4005
Mon-Fri, 10AM-4PM
Citizens Advice Bromley
Citizens Advice Bromley
Monday: 09:00 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09:00 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09:00 - 17.00
Thursday: 09:00 - 17.00
Friday: 09:00 - 17.00
Citizens Advice Southwark
Citizens Advice Southwark
Monday: 10.00 - 14.00
Tuesday: 10.00 - 14.00
Wednesday: 10.00 - 14.00
Thursday: 10.00 - 14.00
Friday: 10.00 - 14.00
Citizens Advice Sutton
Citizens Advice Sutton
Monday: 09.00 - 17.00
Tuesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Wednesday: 09.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 09.00 - 17.00
Friday: Closed