I am in a financial mess and have buried my head in the sand for so long, marriage breakdown, job loss, health issues, everything has got on top of me, but today I want to try and sort this mess out and looked on here for some help...I have mortgage arrears and have entered into various payment plans which they review on a 3 - 6 months basis, if I don't take the call they start charging the penalties again even if I still pay the agreed payment...I sometimes avoid the calls as the anxiety of talking about it is too much. I don't see a way out of it as the peanalties are mounting up to almost as much as the arrears were....i saw on the forum about reclaims for unfair charges and also about hardship reclaims but most date around 2010 - 2012 so was wondering if I've missed the boat to try to reclaim some as this would help reduce what I owe and possibly start to help me get on right track. Any advice most welcome.

Hi Guys, Looking for some advice. Begining of last year I was smoozed and talked to and eventually suckered into signing a membership with Esporta. My eldest son had just left college and was looking to be a sports instructor, after months of no luck with jobs, we'd gone down to Esporta to ask if anything available and was told the quickest easiest way was by being a member, his potential would be recognised and he'd be recommended for next available position. We were promised loads of free gifts, personal training, inductions the lot, also told that if I never turned up for regular training sessions they'd be on the phone. I asked about redundancy etc as we are in a recession and companies were failling thick and fast. I was told that contract would be cancelled if I was made redundant as long as I sent in redundancy notice. As soon as I signed agreement, everything went quiet, I had to hound them for 3 weeks for induction to gym, when we got it the staff member told us it was a **** place to work and they had a huge staff turnover as they treated everyone like dirt and the 'punters' were seen as pound notes, nothing else. I booked a class the following week and booked my younger son into the juniour club, they didn't have anyone to look after them when I arrived so I had to miss the class. I still hadn't recieved my free gifts apparently they were waiting on stock!!! The following week I ended in hospital after a fall (fractured pelvis - out for 12 weeks) I paid my membership every month, not a single call to see why I wasn't there, although 6 leters asking me to recommend a friend to join (I'd recieve a free gift). During this time I'd recieved word my employer was going into administration and would have to make redundancies, I was one of them. I wrote to Esporta enclosing the letter, offering to pay one month more and then I'd need to cancel. I heard nothing and duly cancelled the following month. 2 months after that i got a letter from esporta saying my direct debit had cancelled and could I fill a form out to reinstate. I sent another letter copying in my original letter. Heard nothing. 2 months later ARC got in touch, I told them, I copied in letter and heard nothing for about a month, then they called again, acting as if they didn't know, I sent everything again and the process has repeat itself every month for 4 months now. They have just called me to say they want £780 arrears and will accept payment over the phone now......Anyone any advice, sorry I know I sound stupid and can't believe I was taken in. I don't have money to pay this, but also don't feel they are justified in asking for it.