Fred Turns Over a New Leaf After Accessing Support From Better Off Finance

Having launched earlier this year, our team have been busy out in the community offering advice and support to participants of Better Off Finance and experiencing first-hand just how the programme is changing lives. 

If you don’t know, Better Off Finance is a personal programme that provides support to those in Liverpool City Region facing financial challenges or seeking employment opportunities. 

We decided to shine a spotlight on some of the fantastic success stories that have come from Better Off Finance to share with you. First off, we sat down with Fred to find out more about his experience .. 

Why did you decide to get support from Better Off Finance?

I was referred by the Job Centre for help and assistance with my money worries, as I was struggling to afford my household bills.

What support did you receive? 

Ongoing support from my caseworker whenever I need it. I’ve had multiple trust funds submitted and received energy vouchers to top up my meters.

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

I can stay on top of my bills by keeping track of my money and knowing where my money goes enabling me to afford food. I can have showers again as I have now got hot water through a British Gas Voucher. 

Describe how your circumstances have changed since receiving support?

I have a greater understanding of my finances and where my money is being spent. I also know more of what’s available for me in the St Helens area and how to access this support.

What was the best thing about Better Off Finance?

Referrals to other places to receive specific help and assistance for different things. I have started applying the tips my caseworker gave me to better manage my money. 

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

I would highly recommend it to them. Better Off Finance can only help you. There is no commitment besides what you want to take from the programme. 

Are you not accessing any training/employment opportunities as a result of the programme?

I am working with Learn Direct to support me with job searching and CV writing.

A big thank you to Fred for sharing his story! 

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 program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

Andrew Feeling Back on Track with Help from Better Off Finance

Earlier this year, we launched Liverpool City Region wide project, Better Off Finance. The initiative supports individuals in managing their money better, gaining new skills and seeking employment and education opportunities. 

We love sharing success stories and recognising how the project is truly changing lives within Liverpool City Region. Now, we want to tell you Andrew's story!

20 year old Andrew lives at home with his father. After leaving school with little qualifications, he eventually dropped out of college after suffering from anxiety.

Andrew had been volunteering at Citizens Advice Wirral for just over a year when asked if he would like to get support from Better Off Finance. Andrew’s mission was to improve his financial capabilities and his overall confidence. He also wanted support in seeking sustainable employment.

What Andrew liked most about Better Off Finance was that the sessions were done within a group setting – he found it useful to be around other people, listening and learning from the experiences of others and tackling common problems together. Andrew, who is exceptional on computers, then became someone who would mentor his fellow participants on Better Off Finance.

After attending several sessions with Karen Bellion from the WEA, Andrew described feeling “much more confident” within himself and decided to apply for an Apprenticeship that Citizens Advice Wirral were offering.

Andrew was shortlisted for the role and attended an interview and was offered the role as support officer/IT, full time. Reflecting on his journey, Andrew explained that had he not have received the support, he would have not even applied for the role.

Now, Andrew says: “I have started my first job, partly due to the confidence I have gained from the course. I feel much more confident with the financial side of the job after being on this project”.

A big thank you to Andrew for sharing his story! 

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 program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

Drop-In And See Our Money Saving Experts At 54 St James Street!

Starting on Thursday 31st August, for one day each month a team of money saving experts will be at Liverpool city centre location, 54 St James Street, running a drop-in session to help you get the most for your money!

Money saving experts from the Better Off Finance project will be holding a drop-in morning once a month and you are invited to come along and speak to them about anything money related, or job related, that may be on your mind!

The drop-in sessions will be happening on the following dates…

Thursday 31st August
Thursday 28th September 
Thursday 26th October
Thursday 23rd November

All from 9am-1pm, at 54 St James Street, Liverpool, L1 0AB

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 program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

Nicola Regains Her Confidence After Accessing Support From Better Off Finance

Nicola had desperately been seeking employment since completing university in 2016. She was on benefits, struggling to make ends meet, and was totally ‘daunted by finances’. So when she attended a presentation by H and James, the Financial Capability Workers from The Better off Finance project at Citizens Advice Wirral, she just knew that she just had to sign up for help!

Nicola (middle) with H and James

Since her enrolement on the project, she has completed several sessions on debts, budgeting, energy cost comparison and shopping around for better deals, which she stated ‘was one of the best sessions’ she said she is still using ‘my Supermarket.com’ to look for good deals on food shopping.  

Nicola enjoyed being part of a group and attended these sessions with the key workers as well as group employability sessions before successfully applying and obtaining a job role at Premier Inn.

On being asked about her journey, she told us: 

'After being out of work for so long, the depression had kicked in and self-confidence was low. How could I put my skills into words and sell my self when i was feeling so down!?'

  

I now have a greater confidence both personally and financially, and armed with the knowledge I have learnt, I am able to confidently stay within my budget between paydays”

And what would she say to someone else who was thinking about accessing the support of the project?

 “Go for it, it's been invaluable!”

We hope that this is the start or a new life for Nicola and thank her for sharing her journey with us.!

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 program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

David Is Back On Track After Accessing Support From Better Off Finance

H and James, the Financial Capability Workers for the Better Off Finance Project at Citizens Advice Wirral, met with David at the end of 2016 for support with a reluctant claim for ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) as he had been made redundant from his job in the summer. Since the loss of his job he had been struggling with depression and described himself as 'at an all time low'.

David (middle) and his BBO Financial  Key Workers; James Callaway and Helen Panayiotou

David is a 40 year old man who lives in Wirral with his partner who was also struggling with depression and claiming out of work benefits. The couple also have a young child who lives with them for part of the week, and David had said that he felt he was letting everyone down by not being in work. 

In January, H and James contacted David and asked if he would like to attend a presentation about the Better Off Finance project and see what support it could offer. David was somewhat sceptical at the time, but stated he would 'Give it a go'.

Since his enrolment on the project in January, he has completed several sessions on debts, budgeting, energy cost comparison and shopping around for better deals as part of a group with the key workers and had 6 group session within the WEA organisation (Workers Educational Association) 

David felt that being in a group environment with people who understood how he felt was 'invaluable'. He stated that his confidence had increased and he felt better able to showcase his skills in a positive and confident way.

After attending the sessions David applied for a job as a delivery driver within ASDA, gaining part time employment and applied for a teaching post with the WEA which he is waiting to hear back from. He said he also felt confident enough to explore the tutoring role as a business.

On being asked what he would say to someone else who was thinking about accessing the support of Better Off Finance and WEA, David said;

'I would strongly encourage anyone to take part, you will gain great advice and knowledge and also meet people in similar situations'. More importantly, David stated that; 'I feel I am now back on track after being unemployed and suffering from depression.' 

David and Karen Bellion from WEA

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 program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

The Better Off Finance Project Has Launched!

800 Individuals Across Liverpool City Region Will Be Supported To Manage Money And Access Employment Through New Project; Better Off Finance

A Liverpool City Region wide programme which will offer support around money management and accessing employment opportunities launched on Thursday 26th January in Halton.

Better Off Finance is a £2.4 million innovative project funded by Building Better Opportunities via the European Social Fund and Big Lottery. Its aim is to connect with more than 800 residents from across the local authority areas of Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral. The project will provide support to people who are facing challenges moving towards or accessing employment opportunities, and those who, due to a lack of financial capabilities, face resulting barriers that can make it more difficult when trying to find and keep a job.

(From L-R) – Maggie O’Carroll; Chief Executive Officer of The Women’s Organisation, Hitesh Patel; Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Halton, Caryn Matthews; Chief Officer of Citizens Advice South Liverpool, Councillor Rob Polhill; Leader of the Halton Borough Council and David Parkinson; Policy and Learning Manager of Big Lottery Fund) 

 The project will offer support to individuals to improve the ability to manage their money better and gain skills to cope with changes in circumstances. Better Off Finance will also help residents across Liverpool City Region prepare and progress into sustainable employment as well as training and education opportunities.

At the Select Security Stadium Halton over 80 individuals from support services across Liverpool City Region heard about the project from Chief Executive Officer of The Women’s Organisation; Maggie O’Carroll and Caryn Matthews, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice South Liverpool, before it was formally launched by Councillor Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council. The project is a collaborative effort and will be carried out by 11 different support agencies across the Liverpool City Region with The Women’s Organisation acting as the accountable body.

Hitesh Patel; Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Halton and Shelah Semoff; Partnership Officer from Halton Borough Council

Councillor Rob Polhill said of the Better Off Finance project: ‘I am very pleased that partners from across the Liverpool City Region have developed this innovative support package to help people improve their financial capabilities so that they can find and keep a job. I, and  my colleagues on the Combined authority appreciate the efforts of all those involved in its visioning and development and we are sure that it will make a huge difference to so many people lives and also create and effective model  of support.’

Maggie O’Carroll of The Women’s Organisation said about the project launch; ‘We believe that the Better Off Finance project is a new and innovative way of working towards helping people find employment and stay in employment. Looking at financial capabilities hasn’t been addressed previously and building an individual’s skills in this area is crucial to that.

We are delighted to be working with the partners on this project and are pleased that the Big Lottery fund and European Social Fund recognise that this is an important area that can be addressed for Liverpool City Region.’

Better Off Finance will carry out this crucial work over 2 years and will engage and connect with over 800 residents from across Liverpool City Region and help them, to progress into work.