What national organisations can I turn to for financial advice and guidance?
Worries about money or concerns around our finances can affect us in a range of different ways. Below are a few places you can visit to find some helpful information.
The national health and wellbeing offer includes access to a range of wellbeing apps, and support through counselling and coaching services.
The Inspired to Care webpage share a number of helpful resources those working in the care sector can use to support their financial wellbeing.
Join the Midlands Staff Experience page to access information, resources and good practice. The site is open to anyone working in health and care. You can become a member if you are invited to join a workspace by a workspace manager, or you can self-register on the platform if you have a trusted organisation email address.
The RCN have teamed up with Money Helper to bring a range of tools and calculators so you know where your money is going The RCN welfare team can support members on a wide range of welfare related issues and are here to offer confidential , non-judgemental advice to try and help you get back on track.
MoneyHelper’s website provides information on a range of topics, such as benefits, money troubles, savings and pensions. They also offer a free Couch to Financial Fitness programme. You can contact them for free, impartial advice using the details on their contact us page.
You may be able to claim your employment expenses directly from HMRC for uniforms, working from home, tools and more. HMRC authored a guest blog for the Healthcare Financial Management Association, which you may find useful to refer to for more information on the best way to claim a tax refund. They have also published articles in healthcare magazines warning nurses of repayment agent fees when claiming tax refunds.
HMRC’s online guides and support help you understand your taxes, what you are due and how to claim them:
- Understand your tax code better on GOV.UK or watch the YouTube tax code guide
- Check whether you are eligible for marriage allowance
- Find out more about the P45, P60 and P11D forms using the workers’ guide
- Sign in or set up your personal tax account, or find out more first by watching the personal tax account YouTube guide
Download the free HMRC app.
LGA’s cost of living hub shares best practice case studies and resources on various areas relating to the cost of living, such as food, fuel and energy. LGA also provides specific information on cost of living and support for people with a learning disability or autistic people.
Debt Advice Foundation offers free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. Contact details are available on their website.
Provides accessible cost of living resources.
Their cost of living page provides details of action they have taken and various support resources.
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential advice on various matters such as benefits, housing, debt and money. Their website has a page dedicated to help with the cost of living and provides various ways to contact them for advice.
The Money Saving Expert website provides a range of financial advice, with a dedicated cost of living help section. Their Cost of living help guide provides over 90 ways you can save money. They also provide money saving tips specifically for disabled people.
The BBC’s cost of living page provides help and tips on saving money, including articles, videos and a personalised guide.
Their Reducing everyday living costs booklet provides tips on how to save money on utility bills, food, fuel and more.
The charity has pulled together various sources of support on the cost of living.
Angel Advance provides free expert debt advice to help individuals manage their debts. Their website has a specific cost of living page.
Provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need via Good Things Foundation’s network of community partners.
Pet healthcare costs can be an additional source of financial worry. The RSPCA’s website provides advice on how you can look after your pet’s health whilst keeping costs down.
Gives people in debt who are receiving treatment for a mental health crisis a ‘breathing space’ from the people they owe money to, so they can focus on their mental health recovery. Find out more here
The EMMA partnership employs trained debt advisers who work from offices across the East Midlands.
Payplan offers comprehensive advice, guidance and support for anyone struggling with debt. Call Payplan on 0800 716 239. This free helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am-9pm and Saturday 9am-3pm.
If you are concerned that you are spending more than you have or want to be kinder to the environment with your energy usage, the Ask Bill website offers free, impartial advice about money and bills.
The charity offers free debt advice to help you deal with debt and set up a solution, along with guides on the rising cost of living.
Various banks have mobile banking apps and internet banking tools to help customers with money management, such as NatWest and Lloyds Bank. HSBC has a range of resources, including a cost of living hub and webinars, a financial fitness tool and tools to help with managing your money.
