Clean Slate Training & Employment CIC, the social enterprise behind Quids in! Money Guidance, marked its 20th anniversary by looking back at the impact of its work, celebrating with the communities it supports, sharing stories through Quids in!, and opening up a national conversation about what comes next.
The anniversary theme was helping people regain control. This is the same idea that has shaped Clean Slate’s work since it was founded in 2006 by social entrepreneur Jeff Mitchell. The organisation was created to alleviate financial hardship and support people into work.
“I founded Clean Slate on a profound belief that work, for those who can manage it, is key to independence,” said Clean Slate founder Jeff Mitchell.
“During my previous years at The Big Issue, I had watched people get up from sleeping rough and spend the day selling a magazine to make their own money. I witnessed the lie that people were unemployable just because of their circumstances. What they needed was a fresh start. A clean slate.
“I’m so proud to be standing here 20 years on, and still delivering vital support to people struggling on low incomes.
“The fact we’re still here is testament to the strength of the original service offer and to all the many wonderful people who have worked with and for us over the years to deliver our services.”
That founding idea has carried through two decades of change. Clean Slate’s 20th anniversary impact report tells the story of how the organisation grew from its early days in Bath to delivering Quids in! Money Guidance through information services, one-to-one coaching, training and sector development.
The report highlights 6.6 million magazines and guides published, 2.3 million Quids in! Readers Club emails sent, since 2006 and more than £5.5 million in financial gains achieved through one-to-one support since September 2019.
The anniversary also brought that work into community spaces. Clean Slate hosted five birthday drop-ins across London, Bristol and Stroud, welcoming 160 people in total. The events took place at Feldy Community Centre, Marie Lloyd Centre and The Oasis Centre in London, St Werburghs Community Centre in Bristol, and Cashes Green Community Centre in Stroud.
Across the week, Clean Slate gave out copies of the impact report, along with anniversary tote bags and key chains. The drop-ins gave local people, community partners and staff a chance to connect, celebrate, and see Quids in! Money Guidance in action.
A special Quids in! Readers Club takeover marked the anniversary too, celebrating client and staff achievements and sharing practical money guidance tips through Clean Slate’s email information service. You can read their stories here.
The celebrations also included with Project Reconnect, a national webinar asking what comes next. The webinar received 95 sign-ups and explored hardship, trust, community division, and how people can be reconnected with services, opportunities and each other.
The webinar featured Jeff Mitchell, Head of Programmes Emmie Jenkins-Hill, and guest speaker Paul McNamee, award-winning journalist, broadcaster and former Editorial Director of Big Issue Group. More information, including the full webinar recording, is available here.
Clean Slate will use its anniversary year to keep championing practical, person centred support that helps people regain control over their money, their choices and their future.