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.

Better Off Finance: Advice during COVID-19

As Coronavirus guidelines have escalated over the past week, social distancing has become even more important. However, our Better Off Finance partners are still working to provide you with support and advice through this difficult time, over the phone and online.

Find out below how your local partner will be providing support during COVID-19:

Citizens Advice Liverpool

All face to face services have been suspended until further notice.

Their services remain available through digital and telephone channels.

For general advice, click here.

For debt advice, click here.

For help claiming Universal Credit, click here.

Citizens Advice Sefton

Face to face services have been suspended until further notice.

Advice is still available over the phone:

For general advice: 0344 493 0012 (Mon to Thurs 9.30am – 2pm)

For debt advice: 0300 330 1196 

Citizens Advice Knowsley

 All drop in and face to face appointments have been cancelled until further notice.

You can still get in touch here:

Adviceline: 0300 330 9008 (Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm)

Universal Credit Help to Claim: 0800 144 8 444

 

Citizens Advice Halton

Suspension of all drop in and face to face appointments, with increased availability of telephone support.

Helpline: 0344 477 2121

Citizens Advice Wirral

All face to face support has been suspended, but advice is available by phone and email.

Helpline: 0300 33 00 111 (at busy times, there may be a wait to have your call answered)

They have also advised that as the Hubs are not open, to visit your local One Stop Shop if you need food vouchers.

https://www.wirral.gov.uk/about-council/contact-us/one-stop-shops/find-your-nearest-one-stop-shop  

Citizens Advice St Helens

Face to face appointments have been suspended for the foreseeable future, but they will be offering support via phone and email.

Adviceline: 03448 269694

Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644

Email advice can be found here.

RAISE

Raise have suspended all home visits due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but they will still be providing debt and benefit support over the phone and email.

Email: admin@raiseadvice.org.uk

Helpline: 0151 482 2475

5 Everyday Changes to Save Money

    Here are a few tips you can follow to help you save that little bit extra! These small changes can have a major impact on your annual finances and help you feel more comfortable with your money.

 Money management

Work with a budget. If you’re someone who impulse buys, then a properly thought out budget could become your best friend.

A budget is not something to fear, all it takes is preparation and dedication! By working out your weekly costing for food, petrol (or public transport), any memberships or classes you pay for, subscriptions and of course a treat, you are giving yourself an accurate representation of the budget you can live within. The one rule for this money saving tip is to not overcompensate to make yourself feel better! You must be ruthless in order to see a change.

2.       Use price comparison websites

Shopping around for the best deals is a perfect way to find the cheapest option. This can be for insurance, broadband and maybe even bank accounts. These websites can save you from overspending and can very quickly save you a few quid!

3.       Bulk buying to the rescue

Buying in bulk is probably the easiest way to save on your everyday items. This can apply to your everyday life as well as your business, for example, pens are a common necessity in almost every business. But, buying the odd pack of pens here and there can rack up to a high price whereas if you buy in bulk your getting more bang for your buck!

4.       Turn that heat down

The colder seasons can see us walking in and whacking that central heating right up to take the chill off.

Turning your heating down by as little as one degree and sticking a jumper on can see a decrease of 10% in your heating bill. There’s even apps, like ‘Hive’, which can help you to control your heating away from home, making it that little bit easier to save.

5.       Go generic

Brands can be super expensive to buy and can rack up your shopping bill if they become a repeat buy. Swap that named brand for something generic. With budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, you can find some seriously good quality dupes and much more affordable prices.

Meet Katie: Struggling With Benefit Caps

Katie was struggling with money after her splitting from her husband and having to cover the cost of housing alone. Not knowing how to improve her situation, she approached Better Off Finance, and is now on top of her finances.

Katie got in touch with Better Off Finance (BOF) after being referred by the Citizens Advice. A full-time mum-of-four, Katie’s eldest child was awaiting heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart, and her youngest was also being monitored for cardiac difficulties. Katie’s marriage had broken down in 2017, after her husband was unable to cope with their children’s ongoing health problems. While he still maintains a good relationship with the children, Katie was going it alone.

Katie was struggling with money due to the cap imposed on housing benefits, which meant only £24 of her £78-per-week rent was covered – a common issue since the cap was introduced in 2013. Lack of money had caused Katie to fall into debt to cover housing costs, which had mounted up to £2,800. At the time of approaching Citizen’s Advice, her washing machine was leaking, but with no disposable income to replace it, Katie had to make do.

Official data obtained by housing charity Shelter in September 2019 found that around 370,000 low-income households renting privately struggle financially, as housing benefits fall so far behind rental costs due to the benefit cap. The average monthly shortfall now stands at £113, putting many families at risk of poverty and homelessness.

Through Better Off Finance, Katie was assigned a Key Worker, who sat down and helped her work through her financial issues. Her Key Worker identified that Katie wasn’t receiving all of the benefits to which she was entitled, such as Disability Living Allowance for her eldest child. She was also assigned a Discretionary Housing Payment, and received a grant to purchase a new washer-dryer; she has now been referred to the debt advice team, who are helping her work out what debt-repayment options are open to her.

Since accessing support through Better Off Finance, Katie’s situation has improved. Her finances have become more stable, and the new washing machine has lightened her load at home. She said:

“I am feeling more optimistic and confident and know that my situation will continue to improve… The best thing is seeing the same person and knowing you can turn to them whenever issues arise.”

Katie has now begun a Level 2 Mental Health course, and is starting to feel more confident in herself. She said she’s grateful for the support she’s received from Better Off Finance, and to anyone thinking about accessing support, she would definitely recommend it!

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

The Women’s Organisation Praises Universal Credit Report Recommendations

The Women’s Organisation is welcoming recommendations in a new report into the impact of Universal Credit.

The study published last week, by the Resolution Foundation in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has called on the government to make vital reforms including making Universal Credit more female-friendly. It says boosting work allowances for single parents and second-earners would boost their work incentives and increase household incomes.

As part of its research, the Foundation carried out in-depth interviews across the Liverpool City Region (LCR). The area was one of the first areas to receive Universal Credit, and a higher proportion of working-age families are on UC than across the country as a whole (31 per cent for LCR, compared to 24 per cent for the UK).

The interviews focused on recipients’ experiences of various aspects of the new system and uncovered a number of areas where further improvements are needed.

The report also said that they were almost universally positive about the other organisations that were supporting with financial or employment-related issues.

One of these is Better Off Finance, an innovative partnership led by social enterprise The Women’s Organisation and funded by Building Better Opportunities via the European Social Fund, along with the National Lottery Community Fund.

It helps people better manage their money, instil financial resilience and prepare and move into sustainable employment.

Its services include helping with benefits, ensuring people are receiving their full entitlement, and helping reduce debts to make peoples’ money go that bit further.

The initiative began in 2017 and so far it has signed up 1,174 people across the Liverpool City Region, with nearly two-thirds of them women. (64% female and 36% male. All were unemployed and 49% had a disability.)

Maggie O’Carroll, CEO of The Women’s Organisation, said: “Last week’s report shows the damaging effect which Universal Credit is having on our communities. While the roll out of Universal Credit may have been intended to simplify the welfare system, we have found that it compounds common issues for many of the most vulnerable who we work to support.

“Not only does it create a very real barrier for those who may wish to explore the route of self-employment to improve their own personal and financial circumstances, the one payment per household system poses an even greater threat to vulnerable women who may be at risk of domestic abuse. That’s why it’s so important that programmes like Better Off Finance are equipping people with the tools to become more financially mobile.

“We’re proud to be working with Citizens Advice across the Liverpool City Region on the delivery of Better Off Finance, which is helping those who are most vulnerable to take control of their finances, become more resilient and gain the all important confidence to take their next steps into sustainable employment”.

Maggie O'Carroll, CEO of The Women's Organisation

Among Better Off Finance’s success stories are Catharine Ramage, who left her teaching job due to ill health and was unemployed for seven years. Better Off Finance helped her become more financially savvy and regain control of her personal finances, saving £100 a month. Feeling empowered to take her next steps into self-employment, Catherine is now a small business owner.

She said: “My key worker gave me tools for life to maximise my income and minimise my outgoings. I always tended to bury my head when it came to this stuff – now I have the confidence to find and negotiate better deals for monthly necessities.

“Today, I am a business-owner running my own editorial business from home. My mentor made me feel like they really cared about helping me to improve my situation – not that they were just ticking boxes or trying to ‘push’ me back into work. They took the time to understand my circumstances and give me a personalised service. I feel really lucky to live in a city where these services are available to me”.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “As it stands, Universal Credit disproportionately punishes the most vulnerable will leave a majority of families in our region worse off.

“I’ve been an opponent of UC since day one, but the reality is that this government aren’t going to scrap it. They have to listen to those on the frontline and undertake reforms like those suggested in our report to make things more manageable for people who are struggling.

“UC should offer a genuine safety net rather than forcing people to wait five weeks wait for a first payment and penalising them for finding work.”

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram

To find out more about Better off Finance contact hello@thewo.org.uk or call 0151 706 8111.

John turns his life around with Better Off Finance

 There’s nothing worse than feeling out of control. When life begins to take a downward turn, the resulting domino effect can cause breakdowns of relationships, businesses, and ultimately, mental health.

62-year-old John’s* life began to spiral after his business began to fail. At the same time, his marriage started to disintegrate; due to the stress and anxiety he was under, he eventually became alcohol dependent, disengaged from his family, and withdrew from society, rarely leaving the house and neglecting to care for himself. As matters worsened and his mental health deteriorated, John began to suffer from suicidal thoughts.

Alcoholism and mental health issues often go hand in hand - people with mental health issues are twice as likely to develop alcohol dependency than the rest of the population. While many use it to numb negative feelings, in the long run alcohol greatly contributes to stress, anxiety and depression, meaning sufferers become trapped in an inescapable cycle of trying to treat a problem with the very thing that is causing it.

John was put in touch with the Better Off Finance programme by his housing association, who were assisting him in finding a cooker and using food banks. His situation had deteriorated to the point where he realised he needed help: he lived alone in a four bedroomed house, and found himself unable to deal with everyday matters. John came to the decision himself that he wanted to turn his life around and become alcohol-free, and so reached out for support.

Through Better Off Finance, John was assigned a Key Worker, who provided 1-2-1 support throughout his journey. During this period, John managed to clear his water arrears and create a new payment plan for future bills; he received a new washing machine, as his previous one had fallen into a state of disrepair; he reduced his mobile and TV package, and received support in creating a manageable budget for utility bills and monthly outgoings – something which he has never done before. A further grant has also been applied for to top up John’s current income while he is getting back on his feet.

As a result of the support from Better Off Finance and his Key Worker, things have been looking up for John. After getting his new washing machine through Better Off Finance and a new cooker from his housing association, he has started taking care of his appearance and eating healthily, which has had a huge positive impact on his wellbeing. In turn, this has led to him reaching out to his family and spending time with his grandchildren – along with support from a substance misuse charity, contact with his family has been a massive encouragement in his journey to becoming sober.

The change in John is clear: he’s more confident and sure of himself, and is managing independently. He’s recently gained a qualification in First Aid, something which he could never have imagined doing a few months ago.

He said: ‘The support and encouragement from my Key Worker has been amazing, and I can’t thank he enough for just listening and understanding my situation. I would urge anyone to access this service. It has been invaluable to me in realising that there is help if you want it, and it has started to build my confidence and self-respect back to what it used to be’.

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

Energy Saving Week Tips

Turn off Standby appliances

Take a look around your home, how many appliances do you have on standby? TV, phone charger, microwave, lights? These devices draw power when plugged in and not in use. This is sometimes known as 'vampire power'.  Each appliance may only account for £3 each year although, if you have 30 appliances on standby this amounts to £90 every year! Research from energy saving experts have also discovered that having appliances on standby may account for about one hundredth of all carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere globally.

 Turn down Temperatures

The washing machine is one of the most heavily used appliances in the home. A 7kg washing machine used 220 times a year will cost typically between £25 - £35 a year to run. In-fact, wet appliances account for almost 10% of typical household’s energy bills. To save energy, switch to low temperature 30-degree washes.

Money can also be saved by turning down the thermostat dial. Research from Energy Saving Trust shows that more than 60 % of the British public are making at least one heating control errors. Simply setting your thermostat from 24 C to 23 C, could save £75 a year to your annual energy bill.

Be Water-wise

Save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a constant stream. Studies have shown that we waste four gallons a minute. Doing this can save 200 gallons a week for a family of four!

Think twice before filling up your kettle to the brim. The average kettle holds 1.5 litres of water and uses about 0.1 kWh of electricity to boil for 3 minutes. That’s around 2.5 pence every time you boil a full kettle. The average British person drinks 884 cups of tea each year, this means that we spend over £20 every year boiling the kettle!

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