About Us
Debt Talk CIC was founded in response to the profound trauma experienced by Bangladeshi communities in London during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crisis not only exposed long-standing inequalities, but it also deepened financial hardship, emotional distress, and generational wounds caused by poverty. In the face of this adversity, the strength of the Bangladeshi community shone through acts of solidarity, storytelling, mutual care, and collective problem-solving. These experiences were documented in the publication Covid Crisis: The Brit-Bangla Response, which laid the groundwork for a trauma-informed approach to addressing poverty trauma support.
Debt Talk CIC exists to centre healing, dignity, and empowerment by:
Creating trauma-aware anti-poverty forums where Bangladeshi communities can safely explore the root causes of poverty, share lived experiences, and collectively address the emotional and structural impacts of financial trauma.
Developing community-led strategic research, campaigns, and innovative support initiatives that restore agency, reduce stigma, and strengthen wellbeing, particularly for ethnic minority groups.
Providing accessible, compassionate financial education and community debt advice that builds long-term resilience and alleviates the fear, shame, and overwhelm often linked to money stress.
Delivering culturally competent, trauma-informed debt advice so individuals can navigate financial crises with hope and dignity for a better future.
Podcast
The Debt Talk podcasts operate in ways that larger organisations sometimes cannot, particularly in providing community debt advice to the Bangladeshi community and other ethnic minority groups:
We speak in a community-rooted voice that feels familiar and trustworthy, making our discussions on sensitive topics like debt, budgeting, and family pressure culturally relevant and accessible.
We respond quickly to emerging issues without the hindrance of bureaucracy, ensuring that our financial education reaches those who need it most.
By utilizing digital content, we effectively connect with both younger and older generations, addressing their unique challenges.
We listen first, act thoughtfully, and amplify community concerns responsibly, particularly around issues like poverty trauma support.
Our strength lies in our closeness to the people we serve, allowing us to provide tailored assistance that meets their needs.
Education
As part of our educational offering, we provide tailored courses on topics such as income maximisation, fuel suppliers, consumer credit, debt, and other personalised financial education needs, particularly aimed at the Bangladeshi community and other ethnic minority groups. Our expert team is trained in delivering trauma-informed money and debt education, ensuring a sensitive and supportive learning environment that also addresses community debt advice and poverty trauma support.
Research &Campaign
Covid Crisis: The Brit-Bangla Response
"Ripon Ray’s exciting new book -‘Covid Crisis: The Brit Bangla Response’ - is a significant achievement, as there are very few studies of the pandemic that focus in such depth on specific ethnic minority communities in the UK,” stated Alastair Owens, Professor of Historical Geography, Queen Mary University of London.
"Highlighting the dynamic response of the British Bangladeshi community during the devastating Covid crisis, the book offers unique insights into a marginalised community facing challenges such as community debt advice and poverty trauma support. It includes testimonies from the local community and beyond, showcasing lived experiences during this unprecedented global pandemic. This work provides a vital platform for often vulnerable voices, exemplified by the Brit Bangla COVID Platform, which serves as an excellent case of community-wide mediation and financial education.” added Dr. Chris Tang from King’s College London.
"All proceeds from the book will be reinvested into community projects and activities aimed at supporting the Bangladeshi community and addressing crucial issues such as financial education and debt advice."
Donate
Become a part of our mission and consider donating to our cause!
All proceeds will be invested into community projects and activities.
Debt Talk CIC publishes its first report
Breaking Point to Breaking Through reveals a hidden debt crisis affecting Bangladeshi Londoners, based on community consultations with over 45 residents, frontline workers and statutory organisations in Tower Hamlets.
Despite 63% of Bangladeshi Londoners living in poverty, there is no dedicated, culturally responsive debt advice service for this community. The report shows how shame and honour (izzat), faith-based barriers to interest, informal lending, remittance pressures and intergenerational trauma combine to push families into crisis before they seek help.