April 2025 marks the completion of our first full financial year supporting individuals and families across Lisburn who are facing financial difficulties. This highlights the impact of our work, the challenges faced by our community, and our commitment to continued growth and collaboration.
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of working with 207 households, delivering personalised, compassionate, and confidential support. Among these, 140 households sought help for benefits-related issues, while 65 households faced challenges with problem debt.
Financial Impact
Total Financial Gain: £65,444.00
Total Debt Managed: £571,255.00
These figures represent not only the financial impact of our work but also the life-changing difference this support has made in the lives of those we’ve walked alongside.
Partnerships & Referrals
CMA’s work is strengthened through our ongoing relationships with local and national organisations. In 2024/25, we made over 700 referrals and signposts to external agencies to ensure our clients received holistic and specialist support where needed.
These partnerships remain central to our mission and enhance the breadth and depth of support we can offer.
Responding to Change
As economic and social circumstances continue to evolve, so too does our work. At the beginning of the 2024 financial year, a significant portion of our support focused on assisting households migrating to Universal Credit. Now, as we move into 2025, we are seeing a worrying rise in housing debt and eviction notices.
In response, we are working closely with local families and specialist agencies to prevent homelessness, recognising the urgency of the ongoing housing crisis. We remain committed to developing our team’s knowledge and skills to provide a high-quality, informed, and adaptable service to those who need us most.
Training & Development
We are committed to delivering a high-quality, informed service. In 2024/25, our team has:
- Participated in regular training and upskilling to stay current with benefit and debt policies.
- Developed new tools and processes to meet the increasing complexity of cases.
- Continued to build capacity to respond to growing demand across Lisburn and Castlereagh.
Looking Ahead
As we step into the new financial year, our focus remains on:
- Responding to the housing crisis with targeted support
- Deepening partnerships with local services
- Advocating for those whose voices often go unheard
- Investing in our team’s skills and resilience