I have frequently read the posts on this forum over the past 3/4 years but have never posted myself. I thought as it is now 7 years after I signed a Trust Deed I would post my experience.

In March 2007 I signed a Trust Deed as I was about £20k in debt and was accumulating more each month trying to pay off debt and having to 'live' at the same time. I went with a company called Wilson Andrews who I can only describe as being fantastic with helping me with my situation. Any mail that was sent to me from my creditors I would forward on to WA and if I received any phone calls I would refer them to WA or I would let WA know myself and they would phone the creditors and deal with any issues. After my TD became protected I had total peace of mind. I could contact WA whenever I needed to and I completed 6 monthly reviews to ensure everything was running smoothly. After 3 years I was discharged.

Three months after being discharged I managed to get hire purchase for a new car as my old car was on its last wheels! I also got a vanquis credit card which I used to pay for petrol through the month and then paid it off at the end of the month. I still paid for my phone contract which I had done during the TD.

Just before siging my TD I opened a bank account with Think Money who were good while I was in a TD but 3 years after being discharged from my TD and with the TD droppping off my credit profile I opened a TSB account for one reason only - to get a savings account! Thought I'd never see the day.

So 7 years after I signed my Trust Deed after fighting £20k of debt I have hire purchase on (another) car, a credit card with £0 balance, a savings account with savings in it haha and a great credit rating.

I would just like anyone who felt as terrible as I did just before I signed a TD to know that there is a better financial future on the horizon and I wish everyone all the best.