Useful Contacts

The FCA has created several resources to support anyone experiencing difficulties or changing financial circumstances due to Coronavirus (Covid-19). The support is for a range of topics such as mortgage payments, personal loans, credit cards, overdrafts, motor finance and other forms of credit, managing your financial situation and working out a budget.

The Money Advice Service offer free and impartial money advice. They offer advice and guides to help improve finances, tools and calculators to help keep track and plan and offer support over the phone and online. They have created a Money Navigator Tool to support those affected by Coronavirus, which will provide helpful support in less than 30 seconds.

The national charity Money Advice Trust runs National Debtline and offers free, independent and confidential advice to people in debt, by phone and online.

StepChange offer a wide range of services and gives advice to people in varying levels of need; they will ask the individual what their debts are and help them devise an action plan to improve their situation. They also have many useful online tools such as budget controls, web chats and FAQ support guides.

Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. Citizens Advice will help people in numerous situations, from unfair employment dismissal to immigration and asylum issues, housing and benefit and personal family issues (divorce, legal problems).

Cruse Bereavement Care offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies. Cruse specialises in helping individuals deal with grief and the many
different forms that it can take.

Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits,charitable grants and other financial help — online, by phone and face to face through partner organisations.

Customers struggling with problems related to ill Health should be signposted to their GP as the first port of call. NHS choices provide online information on health conditions.

Mind Info Line provides information on a range of topics, including

> types of mental health problems
> where to get help
> medication and alternative treatments
> Advocacy

This is for anyone who has/has had mental health issues and is feeling overwhelmed; it is not advisable to diagnose someone.

AgeUK Advice Line helps vulnerable older people in need of support. There are numerous things that AgeUK can help with, from end-of-life planning to help with benefits and entitlement or Health and well-being to care and support.

Macmillan provides support information, practical advice and support for cancer patients. They are a charity for cancer patients and their loved ones. Macmillan can help individuals deal with the diagnosis, understand the treatments and side effects involved, and also help with benefits and financial support.

Samaritans provide emotional support and a safe space to talk about any difficulties. They offer a wide range of support functions, from helping people understand their suicidal thoughts to bully in the workplace and helping loved ones of individuals experiencing difficult times.