Credit counselling started in the USA in the 1940's to assist returning ex-servicemen, and has since grown into a force for good.

Vic Ware O.B.E. and Malcolm Hurlston introduced CCCS into the UK in 1992 through a pilot scheme established in Leeds to test whether the approach, which worked well in the USA, could be equally effective in the UK.

Development and pace gathered during 1996 and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service in Scotland was launched in Glasgow along with new centre openings in Newcastle, Chester and London. This expansion has further continued with centres opening in Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham and partnerships developed with Direct Debt Line in East Sussex and the Limavady Community Development Initiative in Northern Ireland.

A dedicated helpline for Scotland - Scottish Debtline - was established at the end of 2000, followed by a Scottish Debtline website in April 2001. The website was the first in the UK to offer direct access to credit counselling.

A keynote development during the last 12 months has been our partnership with the Highlands Council in Inverness. Our Debt Management Plans now complement the council's existing advisory services.

The team at the Foundation for Credit Counselling office in Leeds has supported this expansion by training new counsellors, as well as carrying out counselling at the centre itself and providing a central support function.

Although the charity has greatly expanded from the original group of six counsellors to a group many times larger operating from eight centres, the management, training and systems have ensured no loss in quality. Each counsellor is trained in counselling, debt advice and the operation of systems specifically designed for debt counselling.

CCCS Scotland is now well established as an important and growing source of money advice and the focus for the repayment ethic.