How Mr Dan made life manageable again

Posted on 15th October 2025

At 76, Mr Dan never imagined he would be facing financial hardship alone. But rising costs, long-term debt and a small pension meant he often had to choose between food or keeping the lights on. He told us he had been managing on very little for a long time and had reached a point where he could not cope.

Like many people, he felt nervous about asking for help. After months of worry, he contacted Citizens Advice, who began working with him to stabilise his finances and address his debt. This kind of support takes time, and while a long-term plan was being put in place, Mr Dan was still struggling to afford daily essentials.

Citizens Advice referred him to Longleigh for additional support. He applied for food and energy vouchers to help him manage day to day essentials. Careful with his budget, Mr Dan used his Iceland vouchers on Tuesdays when pensioners receive a discount, making each voucher go further.

This small but timely support helped relieve some of the financial strain and gave him breathing space while he worked with Citizens Advice to get back on track.

Mr Dan said he felt relieved to know help was available, and that asking for support sooner would have taken away months of stress and worry.

If, like Mr Dan, you are finding things difficult and struggling to manage essential costs, please reach out for support. Asking for help is never a step back. It is often the first step to moving forward.

*Names are changed and stock images are used to protect identities.

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