Clean Slate

Clean Slate Guiding you to financial freedom

We look at a whole series of measures to try and get the person back in control, and equally important - that they remain in control. For many it is rediscovery of lost 'financial capability' skills and realising that the basics remain the same as ever. The topics covered, although the list is not exhaustive, nor does everyone need to cover all the points:-
- Claiming the correct benefit entitlem

ent
- Managing all debts, and producing an affordable repayment plan to reduce them
- Finding affordable credit - to seek out credit that can be realistically paid back
- Avoiding fuel poverty - to assist with finding the best price and assistance with energy efficiency
- Signposting people back into work, training or volunteering
- Helping people understand the many choices available for other financial products, such as bank accounts, home contents insurance, savings, etc.
- Produce a realistic budget detailing all household income and expenditure that is both accurate and realistic, and to encourage that it be kept updated.
- Knowing where to go for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice in the future to help sustain their stability
nt
- Managing all debts, and producing an affordable repayment plan to reduce them
- Finding affordable credit - to seek out credit that can be realistically paid back
- Avoiding fuel poverty - to assist with finding the best price and assistance with energy efficiency
- Signposting people back into work, training or volunteering
- Helping people understand the many choices available for other financial products, such as bank accounts, home contenst insurance, savings, etc.
- Produce a relaistic budget detailing all household income and expenditure that is both accurate and realisitic, and to encourage that it be kept updated.
- Knowing where to go for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice in the future to help sustain their stability

29/01/2026

Now that the loooongest month is drawing to a close, why not join us in doing Frugal February?

This is a month where you spend only on bare essentials and anything non-essential or frivolous is not allowed, including things like eating out, takeaways, cinema, designer clothes shopping etc.

As well as giving your finances a boost, which will help you in the following months, it also shows you just how much you are spending (or wasting!) on non-essential extras. This can break bad spending habits and encourage you to be more economical in future. Wouldn’t it be amazing to make informed choices about where your money goes instead of just spend, spend, spend?

We know tightening your belt never sounds like fun, but as February is the shortest month it will be over with in a flash, and any pain felt will be reduced by the knowledge you are doing something that will be good for you in the long-run.

Go on, you know it’s what you should do!

With love,

Clean Slate
Financial Freedom in Recovery

At Clean Slate we are passionate about financial inclusion and recovery. We are a small charity with strong foundations ...
11/06/2025

At Clean Slate we are passionate about financial inclusion and recovery.

We are a small charity with strong foundations and we are looking for people with passion to join our Board of Trustees as we move into our next chapter.

Whether you are highly experienced in charity governance and considering a new opportunity or considering your very first trustee role - we would love to hear from you.

Drop us a message if you would like to know more.

05/06/2025

Many ESA claimants in Newcastle are receiving Migration Notices requiring them to claim Universal Credit.

One thing to be aware of is that the move to UC can reduce your entitlement to Council Tax Support. ESA is a “passported” benefit that automatically entitles a person to the highest rates of Council Tax Support. With UC the amount of support will be based on your income.

Clean Slate is here to help those in recovery from addiction manage this change and advise on your entitlements.

06/05/2025

We would like to thank our outgoing CEO Naomi Kenneth for her outstanding contribution to Clean Slate.

We have transformed and grown under your leadership and wish you the very best for your future endeavours.

You will be greatly missed!

25/04/2025

🌟 Big News! 🌟

After an amazing journey with Clean Slate, the time has come for me to turn the page and start an exciting new chapter in my career. Today is my last day and I’ll soon be heading off to a new opportunity, and while I’m thrilled for what’s ahead, leaving this incredible team and community is definitely bittersweet.

Working with Clean Slate has been more than just a job—it's been a place of growth, connection, and purpose. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and deeply grateful for the support, laughs, and shared vision along the way.

To everyone who’s been part of this chapter—thank you. You’ve made a lasting impact on me, and I’ll carry those memories and lessons with me into the future.

Wishing the team continued success, and I’ll be cheering you on from afar!

With gratitude,

Naomi

02/04/2025

Changes to PIP

The UK government has announced forthcoming changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, aimed at refining eligibility criteria and assessment processes. These changes won't be implemented until November 2026. so anyone who is at the start of the claim process, or waiting for an assessment won't be affected.

Key Proposed Changes:

Tightening of Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the daily living component of PIP, claimants will need to score at least four points on a single activity, in addition to meeting the existing requirement of accumulating eight points across various activities. ​

Assessment Process Adjustments:
DWP plans to modify the assessment procedures to ensure that PIP is targeted more effectively toward individuals with higher needs. ​

The changes will apply to NEW claimants from NOVEMBER 2026 and to existing claimants during their subsequent award reviews.

25/02/2025

UK pensioners eligible for £169 BBC TV license before April price rise

You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything on BBC iPlayer, even if it is on-demand - but if you're over 75 and claim Pension Credit, you can get a TV licence for free.

The price of a TV licence will rise from £169.50 to £174.50 from April 1. But if you're over the age of 75 and you claim Pension Credit, then you're entitled to a free TV licence. If you turn 75 and become eligible for a free TV licence, you can get a refund for any length of time left on your licence.

You don't automatically get a free TV licence when you turn 75 - you have to apply to turn your TV licence into a free one. You can apply for a free TV licence when you turn 74, as TV Licensing will update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday.

Are you eligible for free or cheap TV licence?

Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit: People aged over 75 who are claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence.

Students living away from home: Students who are living away from home may also be covered if their parents have a TV licence, but only if they're watching TV on a device that isn't plugged into the mains, such as a phone, tablet or laptop.

People who are blind or severely sight-impaired: If someone in your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you'll get 50% off the cost of your TV licence.
Residential care or sheltered accommodation: If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to apply for a concessionary TV licence which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.

17/02/2025

For people wondering how they can afford to feed the kids over half-term.....

Asda Cafés - kids eat for £1 - No minimum spend required
Kids aged 16 or under can eat for £1

Beefeater 'free' kids' breakfast - When an adult buys a cooked breakfast. Valid every day. Up to two children aged under 16 can eat a 'free' breakfast at any Beefeater when accompanied by an adult buying an unlimited cooked breakfast.

Bella Italia - kids eat for 'free' on Thursdays - And for '£1' on Sun-Wed, 4pm-6pm. When an adult buys a main meal - No code needed to claim this deal, this is automatically applied to your bill.

Brewers Fayre - feed a family of four for £15 Weekdays during February half term, 12pm-6pm from Monday 17 February until Friday 28 February between 12pm and 6pm.

Brewers Fayre - 'free' kids' breakfast when an adult buys a cooked breakfast. Valid every day during breakfast hours.

Burger King - kids eat 'free' Via Burger King app
Order an adult burger meal via the Burger King app and kids can get a King Jr Meal for free from Friday 14 February until closing on Friday 21 February.

Dobbies - kids eat for ‘free’ when an adult buys a main meal

Dunelm Pausa Café kids eat 'free' when an adult spends £4 in café

TGI Fridays - kids eat 'free'Via Stripes Rewards app
Purchase an adult main meal, any day of the week, all day.
This offer is available for new and existing members of the Rewards app. You'll need to select the 'kids eat free' deal found in the app, tap redeem and a code will appear. Show this code to your server when ordering.

Harvester - kids eat for '£1' when an adult purchases a main meal.
Dine in at a Harvester and kids aged 12 and younger can eat for £1 when an adult downloads the Harvester app, then purchases a main meal.
Offer is available from Monday 10 February until closing time on Friday 28 February.

Hungry Horse - kids eat from £1 when an adult buys a main meal. Mondays only.

Las Iguanas - kids eat 'free' Via Las Iguanas app, when an adult buys a main.
Children aged 12 and under can eat for free if you're signed up to its My Iguanas app. Offer is available for new and existing members. You'll need to select the 'kids eat free' found in the 'Perks' tab, click 'activate now' and show the code to your server when ordering.

Morrisons Café - kids eat 'free' when an adult buys a main meal. Valid every day.
Free kids' meal when purchasing an adult main meal for £5 or more.

Prezzo - kids eat 'free' when an adult buys a main.
Kids aged up to 12 years old can eat for free when an adult main is purchased from the 'A La Carte' menu from Sunday 9 February until Sunday 23 February

Premier Inn - kids eat 'free' when an adult purchases a drink and meal.
Up to two free kids' meals when you purchase a meal. Discount will be applied automatically when you order the Full Premier Inn Breakfast or a a main course from the core evening menu with a drink priced at £1.99 or more.
From Monday 17 February until Sunday 2 March.

Sizzling Pubs - Kids eat for £1 Monday to Friday when an adult buys a main meal.
Valid Monday to Friday from 3pm.

Tesco Café- kids eat 'free' when an adult makes a purchase (Clubcard members only).
Valid from Monday 17 February until Friday 21 February.

Travelodge - 'free' kids' breakfast (£1 in some locations) when an adult buys an unlimited breakfast.
Valid during breakfast hours every day of the week.

12/02/2025

BEWARE!!!

Tax Credits come to and end on the 5th April.

Don't ignore crucial letter or you could lose your benefits. There are still 100,000s of people on Tax Credits, but the scheme is due to finish in April. The DWP has been sending letters by post to people saying they must now apply to switch to Universal Credit. DON'T IGNORE IT, or your benefits will be cut off. Tragically this has happened to 3 in 10 people who have had letters in the past.

Address

1 Carliol Square
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE16UF

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Clean Slate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Clean Slate:

Shortcuts

Share

Category