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  1. Home
  2. Dignity First Campaign

Dignity First Campaign

People experiencing financial challenges deserve to access and receive support without fear of judgement. However, stigma continues to have a significant impact on peoples' willingness to seek help, and their journey towards financial wellbeing. 

We believe that language holds the key, and that by changing our language, we can challenge this stigma and dismantle barriers that hinder access to money and debt advice. The campaign calls for a collective effort to make conversational change to end the use of stigmatising language. 

Read our Dignity First Report for a comprehensive overview of our mission to transform language and silence stigma in money and debt. 

 

 

Our campaign mission

 

       

How you can help

 

Join us in creating a society that holds space and compassion in conversations about money, debt, and financial worry. 

Together, we can build a more inclusive future. 

Dignity First FAQs

Dignity First FAQs

Have questions about our Dignity First campaign? Find the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) here. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 17th January, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Dignity First Language Guide

Dignity First Language Guide

Our Dignity First Language Guide will help you on your way to silencing stigma. Click here to read on and join us in reshaping conversations around money and debt. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 5th March, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Dignity First Commitment

Dignity First Commitment

Sign up to pledge your organisation's commitment to transforming language norms and promoting dignity and respect in all financial communications. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 18th January, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Dignity First Resources

Dignity First Resources

Downloadable resources to help you become more informed about what you can do to change language, and silence stigma, around money and debt. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 10th November, 2025

Author: Heather O'Rourke

A call to action for creditors

A call to action for creditors

Creditors play a pivotal part in breaking stigma in money and debt. This section offers information and guidance on creating a supportive and respectful environment for consumers experiencing financial difficulty. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 10th November, 2025

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Message for the media

Message for the media

Media professionals, you have the power to positively shape public discussion and attitude towards money and debt. Learn how to integrate person-first language into your reporting. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 5th March, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Advisers' experience of stigmatising language

Advisers' experience of stigmatising language

Do you support clients with money and debt concerns? We want to hear your experience of how stigmatising language has affected clients' money advice journey. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 16th January, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Share your experience of stigma in money and debt

Share your experience of stigma in money and debt

Have you experienced stigma when it comes to money and debt? Share your story to support the campaign and inspire change. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2024

Updated: 17th January, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Dignity First: Our approach to silencing stigmatising language in money and debt

Dignity First: Our approach to silencing stigmatising language in money and debt

Dive into the details of our journey to the Dignity First campaign. See our comprehensive report detailing our approach to silencing stigma and why language holds the key to doing so. Read more

Published: 14th January, 2024

Updated: 6th March, 2024

Author: Heather O'Rourke

Stigma Alert: Challenging Negative Narratives

Stigma Alert: Challenging Negative Narratives

Stigma Alert is a community-driven initiative aimed at monitoring media reports and creditor communication and raising awareness about the harmful effects of stigmatising language and negative stereotypes. By actively engaging with media content and reporting instances of stigma, we can advocate for more respectful and compassionate discourse surrounding financial issues. Read more

Published: 19th April, 2024

Updated: 15th May, 2024

Author: Emily Logue

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