Welfare Together has been shortlisted for multiple awards, marking a standout year of recognition for its impact, innovation and sector‑leading partnership work.

The organisation has been named a finalist in two categories at the IRRV Performance Awards 2026:

• Excellence in Social Inclusion, alongside Mid Sussex District Council, recognising the partnership’s success in identifying and supporting vulnerable residents, securing vital financial relief, and improving long‑term outcomes for households in hardship. Read the full case study here.
• Excellence in Partnership Working, with Rugby Borough Council, celebrating a collaborative model that has delivered early‑intervention support, increased engagement from residents in arrears, and significant returns for both the council and its communities. Read the full case study here.

The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) is the primary UK-based professional body and examining board for practitioners working in local taxation (like Council Tax and Business Rates), welfare benefits administration, and property valuation. A key element of the IRRV Awards is the inspection process, which will take place in the coming months and be the basis for deciding the winners.

Welfare Together was also recently named as a Finalist in the Credit Connect Credit & Collections Industry Awards 2026 in two categories:

• Customer Vulnerability & Support Initiative of the Year
• Innovator of the Year

Adding to the momentum, Welfare Together’s Founding Director Tracey Stone has been named in the Credit Connect Industry Leaders List 2026, recognising her as one of the UK’s most influential figures shaping the future of responsible collections, vulnerability support and ethical practice.

Tracey Stone said the recognition reflects the organisation’s mission and the dedication of its partners:

“This industry recognition is a testament to the organisations we work with who share our commitment to doing things differently. Social inclusion and partnership working are at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to see that approach given the credit it deserves.”

With growing demand for early‑intervention support and a rapidly expanding client base, Welfare Together’s continued recognition highlights its role as a leading force in improving outcomes for vulnerable people and strengthening the social impact of public‑sector and creditor services.

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Welfare Together has strengthened its national footprint with the addition of Erewash Borough Council as its newest client, marking another milestone in a period of sustained growth for the early‑engagement specialist.

The partnership will see Welfare Together deliver its human‑centred, vulnerability‑aware support model to residents across Erewash, helping people in arrears access the right help earlier, maximise income and avoid crisis.

Mid Sussex District Council and Walsall Council recently renewed their partnership with Welfare Together for a third year and Reventus committed to a fourth year, reflecting the proven impact of its model.

This growth comes as amid the government’s overhaul of council tax administration, which puts the onus on local authorities to engage earlier and offer more tailored, fairer support to vulnerable households.

Lisa Black, Head of Revenues and Benefits at Erewash Borough Council, said:

“We’re committed to supporting residents in a way that is fair, compassionate and effective. Welfare Together’s approach aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re confident this partnership will help more people get the support they need at the earliest opportunity.”

Tracey Stone, Director of Welfare Together, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Erewash Borough Council on board. Our growing number of renewals and new partnerships shows that councils and enforcement partners want a more empathetic, evidence‑based way of supporting vulnerable residents. Our team is passionate about delivering real‑world outcomes for individuals, for communities and for the organisations we work alongside.”

Founded in 2022 by Tracey Stone who has 25 years’ experience in local authority debt recovery, Welfare together partners with Councils, Housing Associations, Enforcement Firms and other creditors to provide proactive, tailored early intervention support for those who can’t pay. Its Welfare Officers personally engage with vulnerable individuals to help them navigate complex and overwhelming systems and find proportionate, fair and sustainable debt resolution outcomes, based on their specific circumstances. This includes financial guidance and relief, income maximisation, mental health support and crisis intervention.

By understanding their unique circumstances and providing holistic guidance, Welfare Together has helped individuals save almost £1 million through access to benefits, exemptions, discounts and financial relief.

Find out more about working with us.