Not eligible for credit cards - how can I increase my score?

ElenorBy

I recently paid off £12k worth of debt that was accumulated at age 19 by a toxic ex. I’ve now 21 and have paid it all off. This was a massive achievement for me because my debt management company predicted I wouldn’t have it paid off until I was 23/24. 

However, I’m now left with a credit score of 116 and want to boost this. I have no open accounts of credit and I’m not eligible for any credit cards at all (even the worst interest ones) so now I’m feeling discouraged and can’t see any way of improving it. 

I know it should technically improve over time but I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to speed this process up 

[Deleted User]

Don't try to boost your score. It's not a real thing and not used in lending.

Start by checking the data on your three credit files and go from there. Depending on how recent and bad your history is, you may need to wait a little longer.

In the meantime, check you're on the ER.

Jamesyb123

As Zx81 said above ignore the score, when you’re fresh off a bad period of debt after a short period of recovery you’ll notice companies like capital one will start to show you as pre approved on eligibility checkers. Just make sure you use the checkers and don’t go applying for random cards as the hard searches will damage your credit file even more. Don’t be in a rush to get credit as after about 3/4 years even the worse markers like defaults and CCJs have less and less impact on your chances of getting credit.

Caracal

Well done on paying off all that debt! Congratulations.
Ignore the score, your credit history is the most important thing. Since yours has been damaged by previous debts, it will take some time to improve - but it will get there. 
In the meantime, MSE have some useful guides on improving things - electoral register, account stability etc. Mostly it will just take time but it will recover, just be patient.