Time to stop burying my head in the sand!

Eunosben

Hi everyone I've decided I've been burying my head in the sand for too long with my debts.
For years now I've just ignored letter from debt collection agencies and have no excuse for why I didn't pay other than I was an idiot.
I was just wondering where to start as regards finding which are statute barred etc and how I go about making offers for reduced settlements etc.
I've had enough of avoiding payments etc and fully respect that I was an idiot for getting things on credit when I couldn't afford them.
I want to get myself on the housing ladder in the next couple of years so need to clean up my credit file as best I can. Thanks in advance for your advice.