WARNING I am not a financial adviser. Seek proper advice from an Independent Financial Adviser on fee, not commission basis.
A few things spring to mind immediately:
1. Clear debts, esp. store and credit cards; pay off the most expensive first.
2. Use your tax free allowances (you & your partner, if you have one). So, up to �3k (each) in a cash mini-ISA and up to �4k each in a stocks and shares mini-ISA - take advice on which fund(s) according to your appetite for risk. AND do the same in the next tax year, starting April.
3. Create an "emergency fund" to cover you/your outgoings for 3 (better, 6) months if for any reason you no longer had an income through accident, ilness or unemployment. Put it in a high-interest earning account; good rates are available, even with instant access.
4. If you have money left over (or you don't have to do any of 1-3 above) then investment decisons depend on a) the level of risk you will accept and b) the length of time you are prepared to leave the money/investment alone.
Where should you invest? Stock exchange investments have proved to deliver greater benefits over the medium (say five years) term and longer. The least risky stock exchange investment would spread across a number of stocks ("diversification") would be a tracker fund focused on the FTSE 100.
Individual stocks (especially those on the AIM or PLUS markets) are always more risky but offer greater rewards if you back a winner.
Property has been successful over the past ten years - but by the time it reaches the retail market many think it's past its peak and on the way down.
THE BEST THING TO DO is talk to an INDEPENDENT financial adviser who operates on a fee basis (like consulting a solicitor) and NOT on a commission basis. Ask around for personal recommendations.
Hope this helps.