Forced to Work: Tackling Modern Day Slavery

If you hear about slavery, you would probably think about the exploitation of human rights that was abolished in the 19th century, but in fact, slavery still exists today. It’s hard to accept that this practice is still a reality all over the world, with an estimated 40.3 million people in modern day slavery. 

Modern day slavery can take shape in many forms, from being forced to work, being owned or controlled by an ‘employer’ to being physically constrained without freedom of movement. It affects people of any age, race or gender but most commonly those who are vulnerable are being taken advantage of. Originally from Eastern Europe, Karl approached his local Citizens Advice to get support settling back into the community after being a victim of trafficking into the UK. 

Forced into illegal practices and made to work in a car wash for little or no pay, Karl had spent 7 years living in squalor with physical and mental abuse before being rescued by police intervention and brought to a safe house by the Salvation Army. 

After visiting Citizens Advice for a food voucher, it was quickly established that Karl could benefit from extra support with finding full time employment and managing a budget. Due to Karl’s status in the UK as a job seeker he was unable to claim any benefits, meaning it was vital for him to find employment to support himself.

Since enrolling onto the programme, the key workers over at Citizens Advice have been able to support Karl to update his CV and apply for potential jobs. The programme was able to support him to understand contracts, and secure expenses for clothing. 

The Key Worker also spoke to him about the courses he would have access to during Better Off Finance. Karl completed the My Turn training to build his confidence and went onto receive an accredited qualification for attending the Money Mentor ‘Become a Savvy Consumer’ training. 

Often struggling with feeling alone and isolated that has impacted on his overall health, Karl has relished working in a group environment with people who have been supportive and empathised with his situation, he said: “Since I’ve engaged on the project my confidence has increased. The project has given me so much practical support but has also restored my faith in human nature with welcoming smiles and people’s willingness to listen”

Since completing the programme, Karl is now engaged in full time employment and is looking forward to his future.

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 National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

From Carer to Employment: Joanne Works with RAISE to Boost Her Employment Opportunities

Leaving employment to become a full-time carer can be a tough decision to make, and with seven million carers currently living in the UK it’s a decision that many people have had to face. Whilst many find caring for their family a very rewarding role, financial matters can make it hard to continue. As many as 60% of people have used all their savings to cover the cost of caring and that’s only set to increase. 

Spending many years as the primary carer for her husband, Joanne approached RAISE for support in transitioning back into full time employment following his death. Since her carer role ended, she had been living off her savings and wanted to get back into employment but struggled with her lack of confidence brought on by the prospect of going back into interviews after so long.

The transition from carer back into employment can feel like a huge step, but with the support of her key worker at RAISE, Joanne was able to go through some simple interview techniques that she was able to use for a job interview she had coming up. Looking at the skills and interests she already had, she was able to tailor her job search around roles she had experience in and successfully get through to interview stage.

With continued support from RAISE, she was able to confidently attend her interview. Eagar to continue her personal development, Joanne's key worker spoke to her about what other courses she could have access to, and suggested she attend confidence building courses My Turn and Change it at The Women’s Organisation.

“I really enjoyed the courses, they were interesting, and it was great to interact with others. I would highly recommend the Better Off Finance programme to others”

Since the programme, Joanne has now moved into employment and is thinking about moving into her own home. She is now working with her keyworker to put together a typical budget for household bills and has been able to get advice on renting prices.

With the number of carers set to increase by 3.4 million in 2030, it’s more important than ever that there is support available for people thinking about becoming a carer or going back into employment.

For more information about caring you can check out the following resources:

https://www.carersuk.org/

https://carers.org/

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 National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

10 Easy Tips To Become a Savvy Saver

The following blog was written by our Intern from Liverpool John Moores University, Cerys Evans.

Whether you are saving for that summer holiday or if you just want some pocket money each month, the best way to get your finances in check is by making sure you're putting some money aside to save. We've rounded up the best 10 tips to use to become a savvy saver. 

1. Track your spending

Keeping track of your spending will help you stay within your budget. Set a budget for how much you can spend and then track it. Whether you want to keep track of your spending in a notebook or on your phone, make sure that you’re consistent and stick to your budget. There are now a lot of apps that will help you track your spends with the most popular being Monzo!

2. Find things to do for free

There are plenty of activities that you can do for free! Look at tourist centered sites to find out about museums, exhibitions, events and festivals happening in your local area. One of our favourites is Visit Liverpool and Day out With The Kids where they’ll gather all the information in one place, simple!

3. Leave debit/credit cards at home

This may seem a little strange… but leaving your debit/credit card at home and only taking the money you absolutely need is a simple way of making sure you don’t overspend! Tempted as you will be to purchase an item, you will have no choice but to walk away 

4. Avoid temptation - don’t go shopping if you don't need to

If you don’t go to the shops, you can’t be lured by nice things.

5. Decrease the amount of eating and drinking out

Try to leave eating out for a special occasion and start making your own food at home. It can save you a lot of money, but it can also be a chance to learn a new skill! Not convinced? Here’s some quick math for you…

£2.50 (one coffee a day in the week) x 5 coffees a week = £12.50

£12.50 x 4 weeks = £50

£50 x 12 months = £600 a year.

Making a coffee at home is a fraction of the price of that!!

6. Look on discount sites

If you do decide that you will go out for food or drinks, then you can take advantage of discount sites such as Groupon that will offer some great deals on food prices. There is always a discount code for stores when you buy anything online and a lot of the time you will be able to at least find 10% off which will make a big difference long term!

7. Cheaper supermarkets 

Make sure to always go for the supermarkets that offer you the best value for your money. It can be easy to opt for the supermarket that is closer and more convenient but by making sensible swap and choosing none-branded items you could save a good amount of money. A great way of finding out where best to shop is by using a supermarket price comparison tool, we've found a great one you can use here 

8. Plan your food shop

You know what they say: never go food shopping on an empty stomach. Work out prior to the supermarket trip what you need to buy and try to stick to just buying those items, but if there’s something that you use weekly you could stock up when prices are reduced. 

9. Switch energy suppliers

It's said by switching energy supplier each household could save up to £400 a year! It's an easy way to save money and it takes a couple of minutes to do. 

10. Sell your unused items online

Just because you're not using it anymore doesn't mean that somebody else won't! a great way to earn some extra money to put away is by selling your unused clothes, CD's, Books etc online! There is truly money to be made by items you probably haven't thought about in years. Some of the most popular sites to sell on include eBay, Music Magpie and Depop!

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

Sarah Controls Her Finances Thanks To Better Off Finance

Sometimes it’s the simple changes that can make the biggest difference, especially when it comes to our finances. Getting the ball rolling when starting to budget can be difficult but in the long term can have a huge impact on how you spend. Our key workers at Better Off Finance are experts in knowing what changes can be made to start the journey to a positive debt free future. 

Struggling with her budget and looking to get a better understand of her money and the ways she could save, Sarah approached citizens advice Wirral where she found out all about how the Better Off Finance programme could improve her financial savviness.

Sitting down with Sarah, she looked at the simple changes that can be made like looking at gas/electric comparisons, looking at contents insurance to make sure household personal possessions are fully covered for repairing or replacing and we looked at opening a credit union account.

Sarah is now in control of her debt: “I am more positive, happy and confident knowing my finances are under control and being managed better with the amount I can afford to pay”

Alongside receiving financial advice she has been able to meet new people and also get some great tips on how to save for the future. “I think people should really think about coming onto the programme, I like how talking about finances isn’t made scary or serious and the group can have a good laugh whilst doing it”

Since attending the programme, she will now be going on to volunteer at Wirral point in Birkenhead as a receptionist.

“The Key Worker who ran the programme was brilliant at delivering the contents and information, extremely friendly and was easy to approach”

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 National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Danielle Can See a Clear Future Thanks to Better Off Finance

Worrying about debts piling up and having just had her benefits sanctioned, Danielle was told about the Better Off Finance Programme in Halton Citizens Advice and decided it was time she took control of her finances and gave it a go.

Recently, we spoke about how debt can have detrimental effect on a person’s mental health and how it can make a person’s behaviour to change dramatically during the period of poor health. Feeling vulnerable due to mental health, Danielle felt she was unable to engage with the working programmes she had been sent on by the Job Centre leaving her to live on just £277 per month and was struggling to make ends meet.  

Being able to sit down one to one and engage with a Better Off Finance key worker meant that Danielle was able to figure out ways to increase her income and take the appropriate actions that saw her sanctions removed which has left her with a much better outlook on life:

“My mental health and relationship with my 12-year-old son has improved since going through the programme due to having more money coming into the family”

Completing the programme full of confidence, she now engages with work programmes to help her into employment and recently completed an employability course with Riverside.

“I really liked the one to one support and being able to have direct contact with my key worker, Gill. It’s really helped my confidence and I was so glad to get help with my sanction”

Struggling with poor mental health for many years, Danielle found it hard to manage her finances and is now able to breathe easier with an increased income and has more knowledge about her universal credit claims online.

“I have so much more confidence than before! I would definitely recommend it as I can now see a future for me and my son. I really want to get into work, and now I can start to think about it as I’m starting to manage my debts.”

Thanks to Danielle for sharing her story, we're excited about what your future holds. 

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

My Turn is Back with New Dates Available

Early in the year we introduced you to our new course ‘My Turn’. The 2-day personal development journey that is helping residents in the Liverpool City Region say hello to their confidence and help them knock down those barriers to change and now were happy to announce that we’re back!

We’ve just released new dates in various locations around the Liverpool City Region, we have a location that will be available for you!

📍 Citizens Advice Wirral - 3rd & 19th December 2018

    237-243 Liscard Rd, Wallasey CH44 5TH

📍 Citizens Advice St Helens - 14th & 18th December 2018
    Millennium Centre, Corporation St, Saint Helens WA10 1HJ

📍 Citizens Advice Wavertree - 30th November & 5th December 2018
    242 Picton Rd, Liverpool L15 4LP

📍 Citizens Advice Garston - 20th & 27th November 2018
    2 Speke Rd, Garston, Liverpool L19 2PA

📍 Citizens Advice Sefton - 4th & 5th December 2018
    297 Knowsley Rd, Bootle L20 5DF

📍 Citizens Advice Halton - 15th & 22nd November 2018
    Grosvenor House, Halton Lea, Runcorn WA7 2HF

📍 Citizens Advice Knowsley - 5th & 12th December 2018
    Kirkby Job Centre Plus, St. Chads House, L32 8RW

If you’re new to ‘My Turn’ let me tell you what it’s all about. Across 2 sessions, the course will have you looking at various factors in your life that will give you the best boost for the future. You will receive support to:

✅ Build your confidence

✅ Overcome your barriers

✅ Build Your Skills and Qualities

✅ Drive your assertiveness

Each session will focus on the different steps to take for a positive future:

Day 1 – Think, Believe and Achieve will look at strategies that you can use to help you become more confident and assertive

Day 2 – Positive Next Steps will help you to identify barriers hindering your goals and give you the tools to help with future employment searches.

We recently went behind the scenes with our trainer Victoria, to get an insiders peek on the sessions, you can take a look here!

And that’s not all! By attending the programme, you could get access to a specialist key worker who can help with taking your goals even further. Key workers are specialists in financial capability, helping people understand more about their finances and personal needs.

You will also get the opportunity attend accredited training through our Money Mentor programme. The programme offers guidance and training to go out and help others with financial advice and support.

Dates are available in various locations around the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, Halton, St Helens). This programme is open to men and women who are currently out of work. 

To book onto the programme or for more information call us on 0151 706 8111 or email us hello@thewo.org.uk

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.

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 

New Dates Added for Money Mentors Accredited Training!

Are you interested in learning more about managing money / debt, and then helping others to understand more?

You can access accredited training and become a community based Money Mentor. This is an excellent opportunity from the Better Off Finance Programme to access learning on Supporting Universal Credit Claimants.

This two day program is being run at 54 St James Street in the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool.

Supporting Universal Credit Claimants

27th November & 4th December 2018

10 – 3pm

These courses are level 2 accredited and lunch will be provided.

These courses are part of the wider Better Off Finance Programme and attendees must be willing to complete registration to the programme in order to access the training.  Full details of sign up process can be supplied at time of enquiry.

To be eligible for the training and for the programme, participants must live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens or Halton) and not in paid employment.

Expenses may be available on request.

What is Better off Finance?

From understanding benefit entitlement to receiving support around managing debts, Better Off Finance is an innovative partnership between The Women’s Organisation, Citizens Advice, and RAISE. The project support residents of Liverpool City Region to improve their financial competency and offer pathways to sustainable employment.  Jointly funded by National Lottery and European Social Fund.

To find out more click here to download the course outline booklet or contact the team: on 0151 706 8111 and hello@thewo.org.uk