Meet Simon: A Fresh Start

After spending ten years in prison, Simon was in financial difficulties and having to rely on family for help. Read how support from Better Off Finance got him back on his feet.

Leaving prison after a lengthy sentence presents many difficulties; one of the most common and most challenging surrounds money and finances. Many offenders are already in debt upon entering the prison system, and this situation is often made worse while they are incarcerated (creditors can also take action even if someone is in prison), meaning that upon release, their financial situation is often very unstable. This makes people more likely to reoffend in order to pay off debt and provide an income: The Ministry of Justice found that 67% of ex-prisoners who slept rough went on to commit another crime within a year.

Upon his release from prison after 10 years, Simon* was left homeless and had to resort to sleeping on his son’s couch. With no accommodation of his own or even any clothes, Simon was having to rely on his son for very basic supplies, knocking his confidence and leaving him feeling low. His probation officer referred him to the Better Off Finance programme to support him in getting back on his feet.

His Key Worker helped Simon apply for housing, and also successfully obtained a grant to allow him to buy a bed and clothing for when he moved into his own home. He told us: ‘I am now more comfortable having a bed to sleep in and don’t feel untidy anymore. This has boosted by self-respect and confidence.’

While in prison, Simon had undertaken many courses to boost his qualifications, and upon release decided he wanted to work towards his forklift qualification. He successfully secured his CSCS qualification, which allows him to work on building sites, and means he is one step closer to his goal of becoming a forklift instructor.

Support from Better Off Finance and his Key Worker have allowed Simon to get on the right track for a brighter future. His job search is ongoing, but he is hopeful that he will find employment in the near future.

He said: ‘The Better Off Finance programme has been extremely helpful in my small step back to my own independence and moving forward.

‘It is a very supportive programme, my Key Worker was friendly and approachable, and I would recommend it to anyone needing assistance in changing their situation. [Better Off Finance] has given me my confidence back.’

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.

Meet Amanda: Making a positive change

This month, we caught up with Amanda*, one of our clients who has been involved with the Better Off Finance programme.

How did you get involved with the Better Off Finance Programme?

I was referred to the Better Off Finance programme by RAISE – a charity that helps housing association tenants with advice. I’m unable to work because I have a long-term health condition that affects my breathing, and I live with my son, who I support single-handedly.

What support did you receive whilst on the programme?

I had a Better Off Finance Key Worker that would offer me one to one support. When I came to the programme, I had water, gas and electricity debts, which I was struggling to clear. My Key Worker helped with issues around debt, helped me to access the benefits that I was entitled to, and provided welfare rights advice.

In what ways has the support you were given made a difference?

The support has made a massive difference to both myself and my son who lives with me, but also to my other family members who have been part of my daily care/living.

Describe how your circumstances have changed since receiving this support?

The worry and stress of long-standing debts and money matters has been lifted. All these things were contributing to my illnesses and my quality of life. I am in a much better place in life mentally. My daily living has improved because of the help I have received.

What was the best thing about Better Off Finance?

The one to one support I have received has been fantastic, these are services I would otherwise have not been able to access. Without this help, I was overwhelmed with debt issues and unaware of the benefits I was entitled to, with their support these issues have been overcome.

What would you say to someone else who was thinking about accessing the support from Better Off Finance?

I would (and have!) strongly advise and recommend this service to other people in a similar situation to mine. The support I’ve received from my Key Worker and the programme has been second to none.

Do you have anything else to add around your experience on the programme?

This service is invaluable, the key workers do a fantastic job helping people very often in desperate situations, they are absolute angels for people like myself and their support, help and guidance helps turn people’s lives around!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.

What's Next? Looking after your finances after lockdown

There’s no denying that the past few months have been trying times for us all. Many people have taken an unexpected financial hit during lockdown, and are struggling with what this means for the future.

Here’s how you can look after your wallet coming out of lockdown and beyond!

Don’t look away

We’re all guilty of avoiding looking at our bank balance to delay knowing the truth, especially if you’ve suffered a wage cut. However, continuing with normal spending and hoping for the best is even more harmful in the long run, and you will have to cut back eventually.

Staying aware of your incomings and outgoings from the get-go is crucial, especially as restrictions begin to ease and businesses around the country begin to reopen.

If you’re at home a lot, now could also be the right time to have a sort through things you don’t need and sell them on eBay or Gumtree, giving your bank balance that extra little boost.

Shop around

Any money saving guru will always stress the importance of shopping around!

There’s plenty of tools out there which help you compare the best deal on all of your household utilities, and switching is really easy, too.

Considering different or supermarket own brands for some of your grocery shopping can also really help in cutting the costs. Why pay more when there are cheaper alternatives?

Plan in advance

When it comes to managing your finances, budgeting is king.

Create a plan of how much you can spend each month, taking into account groceries, bills etc., and stick to it! Make sure your plan is realistic and you allow for a few small treats here and there, if you can – if you’re too harsh with your projections, there’s very little likelihood you’ll be able to adhere to it.

Claim the benefits you are entitled to

If you’ve become unemployed or your job has been affected by the pandemic, there may be benefits you are entitled to which you are not yet claiming.

A Better Off Finance Key Worker will help you with a Better Off calculation and assess which benefits you could be entitled to, as well as providing support with debt and rent arrears.

Get in touch!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.

Meet Ana: A Life-changing Journey

When Ana* approached Citizen’s Advice, she had just been granted refugee status after living in the UK as an asylum seeker. Ana had fled her home country with her four daughters two years previously, when her life became under threat; like many asylum seekers, Ana and her children were all suffering from PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. 

Her status as an asylum seeker meant that she was unable to work, access healthcare or permanent accommodation while she waited for her refugee application to be processed, meaning she had been living in ‘limbo’ for two years.

Shortly after being meeting with her Better Off Finance Key Worker, Ana moved into her own social housing, and was massively struggling with her finances due to being hit by the benefit cap. Her Key Worker set to work on obtaining the correct benefits for Ana, and also successfully applied for a series of grants, including the Citizen Support Scheme and Merseyside Holiday Fund.

Ana’s Key Worker tried to get Ana’s qualification from her home country transcribed, but as the certificate was incomplete, this proved impossible; they instead had to look at her doing another course, which cost £1500. Her Key Worker approached the European Social Fund manager for Liverpool, who agreed an application of £750 towards the course costs, as well as Ana’s social landlord, who agreed to pay for the remainder through a funding charity. She now has a diploma, which allows her to apply for jobs in the UK.

Since taking part in the Better Off Finance programme, Ana’s mental health has hugely improved. She said:

‘The changes to me and my life have been so great since I started getting support, it has affected my whole life and my family’s.

‘A year ago, I was depressed, and I felt buried with my mental health and life circumstances, but today, I’m applying for jobs and going to interviews. The emotional and psychological improvement is remarkable, and attending self-confidence and finance management courses has been absolutely great.

‘No words can show my appreciation for everything my Key Worker has done for me and my family. I feel more hopeful for the future and I feel confident with her by my side that my life and the lives of my four girls will definitely be better’.

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.

A Brighter Future: Carrie's Story

When Carrie* approached Better Off Finance, she was at a difficult point in her life. Having suffered with anxiety and depression for a number of years, 26-year-old Carrie’s confidence and self-esteem had taken a beating; she was struggling to find a job, and had found that many of the organisations she had approached in the past were never quite the right fit for her. 

‘I was referred to Better Off Finance by the Jobcentre. I wasn’t very optimistic at first, I was at my lowest point and I didn’t think anything or anyone would be able to help me moving forward.’

Carrie isn’t alone: around 19.7% of people in the UK suffer with anxiety or depression according to the Mental Health Foundation, and it can have a debilitating effect on their lives. Feelings of hopelessness can impact relationships, work, and physical health, which creates what feels like an inescapable cycle. Coping with anxiety and depression makes it difficult for sufferers to deal with many things in life, and can mean small tasks sometimes seem completely overwhelming and impossible.

Battling through these feelings, Carrie agreed to meet with a Better Off Finance Key Worker. She was instantly reassured. Her Key Worker worked with Carrie to create a support package, focusing on improving her mental health and overcoming the barriers posed by her low self-esteem and confidence.

‘My advisor went above and beyond for me and was always on hand to support me through the difficult time I was having… I learned some simple breathing techniques to help me through difficult moments, and I was referred to several different organisations to help with my mental health.’

From there, Carrie and her Key Worker did lots of practical work around job searching and employability development. With support and encouragement from her Key Worker, as well as attending a self-esteem course, Carrie’s confidence began to blossom. She began to believe in herself and recognise the skills that she had, and began to apply for jobs that she would have previously felt were way out of her reach. Today, Carrie is employed full-time at a call centre for a law firm, something which she never could have imagined a few months ago.

‘I feel the support that I was given has made me a more rounded person and has made me believe in myself more. I am now able to contribute to the family financial pot and this has improved the family dynamic. I know now that I am capable person, and I have a lot of skills and qualities to offer any employer.’

For anyone considering getting in touch with Better Off Finance, Carrie’s wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it, giving special thanks to her Key Worker.

‘The best thing by far about the project was having that one-to-one support from my advisor. She always kept her promises and encouraged me on so many levels to achieve my aims and objectives. I know I still have a long way to go regarding my future career, but I feel now I have a good foundation in developing a happy life for me moving forward.’

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.

Free Online Things to Do During Lockdown

We've nearly done it: we've nearly completed one full week of lockdown!

If you're struggling for things to do and wondering what to do over the weekend, fear not - we've compiled some of the best virtual things to do, to make it feel like any other.

Virtual museum tours

Some of the world’s best and most famous museums and art galleries have created virtual tours for people wanting a culture fix during the outbreak. From Musee d’Orsay in Paris to MASP in Sao Paulo, there’s something for everyone! Find a list here.

Google Arts and Culture also have plenty of great cultural content for a browse of some of the world’s best art.

Virtual zoos

Chester Zoo did a live virtual tour of the zoo this week, but they aren’t the only place where you can get up close and personal with wildlife (from a safe distance, of course). Zoos all over the world are taking their animals online, including San Diego zoo and Berlin Zoo.

Online theatre

Theatres across the globe are streaming classic theatre pieces for free online. The National Theatre have just launched their free online streaming service, allowing people to access quality pieces of theatre from the safety of their own home. Even Broadway theatres are moving content online!

Music

Musicians everywhere are still performing for their fans from their own homes, via social media. Take a look at local and international musicians everywhere to see their latest activities! Plenty of music venues are also acting as platforms for many artists to stream shows to their audiences, so have a look at what they have to offer, too.

Food

Struggling with what you could possibly make out of your one last tin of beans, some rice and a bit of salad? Celebrity budget chef Jack Monroe (@BootstrapCook on Twitter) has begun #JackMonroesLockdownLarder on Twitter, where followers send photos of their last remaining ingredients, and she comes up with a tasty meal! A great way to get thinking about simple, healthy food during lockdown, and minimise wastage, too.

Exercise

You needn’t fork out for expensive apps and subscriptions: YouTube is your friend during these times. Professional fitness coach Joe Wicks has launched his ‘PE with Joe’ series, live every weekday morning for children and adults alike to get moving! There’s also tonnes of different exercise videos to choose from on YouTube, whatever your style may be: whether it’s some gentle Yoga with Adriene, or some hard hitting bodyweight training, there’s something for everyone.

Virtual landmark tours

Google Arts and Culture, once again, delivering the goods, with tonnes of online tours of various famous landmarks around the world. Explore the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, or the Palace of Versailles, all from the comfort of your sofa! You can explore more here.

Google Earth also have tours of some renowned national parks available, including Yosemite and Yellowstone, which you can find here.

Online learning

If you fancy expanding your mind a little while we’re in lockdown, there’s plenty of resources out there to choose from. Khan Academy is great for getting the basics on some key subjects, while Coursera and Ed X have courses from globally renowned universities, including Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Cambride.

There’s also multiple educational platforms for children out there too – the BBC have done a round-up of some of the best here.

9 Cheap Things to Do in Isolation

Nearly everyone, all over the country, will be spending the majority of their time over the next few weeks indoors. So what can you do to pass the time?

Learn a language

Learning a language has so many benefits, including improving your memory. Sadly, it can also be pretty time consuming – meaning isolation is the perfect opportunity to knuckle down and learn your Français from yourEspañol.

There’s plenty of free tools out there to choose from, Duolingo being one of the most popular and easy to use, with tonnes of languages to choose from. You’ll be fluent in no time!

Read some books

It could finally be time to dust off them books that have been sat on the shelves, and get stuck in. If you have a Kindle, Amazon have free downloads for some books, and there’s plenty of other websites out there with licensed, free eBooks, too. 

If audiobooks are more your style, Audible has a free book trial for new users, plus Open Culture and Digital Book have plenty of free resources to offer.

Play some games

It might sound a little childish, but puzzles and games are great ways to pass the time and keep your mind active, too. You might have some old jigsaws and board games lying around the house, but there’s loads of things you can do online as well. Sporcle is a great site for trivia games and quizzes, and try looking on news websites for good daily crosswords. If you’re feeling adventurous, some people are bringing their pub quiz into the virtual world, video calling friends and family to keep the weekly quiz alive!

Get moving

Exercise is so important for our mental health, and being cooped up indoors all day makes it even more crucial. The current guidance surrounding COVID-19 allows us to go out for one form of exercise a day, so try and get out if you can; if not, YouTube is a treasure trove of all the exercise videos you could dream of. Yoga with Adriene is a firm favourite among many, and Joe Wicks has just started a ‘PE with Joe’ session every weekday morning for little ones and parents alike.

Get creative

That thing that you said you always wanted to do but never had the time? Now could be the chance to pick up the pencils or whip out the paint, and get stuck into a creative project, whatever it may be. Creating is also a great release for tension and has loads of therapeutic properties, perfect for these particularly trying times.

Deep clean

It may sound pretty boring, but there’s much to be said for an ordered and clean house. You could use this free time to sort through your wardrobe, give your bathroom a good scrubbing or organise the garden. A redecorating job could also well be on the agenda!

Watch TV

There’s so many streaming platforms out there, it’s hard to know where to begin. Luckily for us, it also means there’s plenty of choice. Get stuck in to a binge-worthy series, or watch some classic films that you’ve never had a chance to see. 

Call people!

Staying connected is crucial for our mental health while we’re in isolation. Most of us are used to going out every day and socialising with our friends, family, and co-workers, so the removal of this can be quite the shock. Be sure to check in on people: give them a call, or use the wealth of video technology to keep up that face to face interaction.  

Do some digital housekeeping

Most people’s phones and computers will look the same: hundreds upon thousands of photos, emails, and documents that we no longer need or use. Taking a bit of time to go through your phone and unsubscribe from emails, or delete photos and unnecessary apps is a great use of time and you’ll thank yourself later.