Hi Vikki,
Here's my two penn'orth.
1. Don't get into debt to fund the training, unless it is genuinely an investment in your future, i.e. you will definitely be doing a commercial. Debt, no matter how apparently reasonable at the time, is pernicious and it will eat away at your soul, particularly if you are just starting out and don't necessarily have a good income. Avoid debt. Save the money and then get the licence with saved money. MUCH better idea.
2. Once you've got your licence look at the PFA route, buying a share for £1500 to £3000 in a small, lowish-powered two seater, based on a farm strip. That way you'll have a lot of fun for £30-40 per hour.
3. Sometimes you just have to postpone things. I spent 13 years living in London, travelling and studying for postgraduate degrees and gave up flying. It wasn't feasible. Every time a plane went over I looked up and ached. I thought I'd never get back into it and got depressed about it frequently. For about 5 years I stopped buying flying mags or even talking about flying. Then, stuff happened and somehow I have ended up owning a Super Cub down here in Devon and having the time of my life. Keep the faith and it will come together when things are right. Thousands of pounds worth of extra debt at age 18 are not worth having.
QDM