The current cost of living crisis is affecting all of us in different ways. Many of us will be worrying about how we will pay our bills and manage our money. The worry associated with this can have a negative effect on every aspect of our daily lives.
The Wellbeing Team is here to support you whether that be by sourcing practical information on money saving or offering advice and guidance on financial and mental resilience. We also want to hear from you, if you have any suggestions on how best NUH can support you or are aware of other benefits not contained within this toolkit please get in touch with us by contacting us on extension 84771 or by emailing us at staffwellbeing@nuh.nhs.uk.
Financial Help Within NUH
Employee Assistance Programme
Balancing everyday life with the requirements of work and home can create pressures for all of us. Health Assured supports the NUH EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) which may assist you in achieving this balance. The EAP is available for all staff to access for free. The EAP can offer advice on managing finances as well as a variety of other work, health and personal queries.
Health Assured's free 24-Hour telephone number is: 0800 783 2808. You can also download the Health Assured App My Healthy Advantage on a work device via the NUH app store or on a personal device via Android play or App store. The first time you use the app you will need to enter the code MHA089937
£2 Staff Meals
As of 3rd October, staff members at NUH can access a specified hot meal for £2 at any of our three restaurants - QMC D floor restaurant, and the City Hospital Hotel and Eat Well restaurants. The offer will be available from 12 noon to 6am and both meat and plant-based options will be available. In addition, there is also the option to purchase a dessert for £1 and a bottle of water/hot drink for £1.
Travel to Work
A range of discounts and benefits are available to help our staff to decide how to get to work.
These include:
Money off tram passes - save up to £75 a year
Discounted bus & train tickets - access to the best discounts available from NCT, Robin Hood, Trent Barton, yourbus and East Midlands Trains
Save money on a brand-new bike via the Cycle2Work Scheme
Secure bike storage
A new car sharing scheme
Staff Travel Discount and Free Travel Plan
Not sure of the best way to travel?
NUH staff can receive a free Personalised Travel Plan that will explore the options from home to work. The plans will look at bus, tram, train, cycling, walking, car share and part drive routes. Using the below email please contact us to receive your free plan.
For general enquiries, please email travel@nuh.nhs.uk.
Nottingham City Transport also nowhave £2 single bus fares. For more information on this, please click here
Salary Finance
You may remember that we previously worked with a partner called Neyber to support your financial wellbeing. We are pleased to announce that they now form the UK’s largest financial wellbeing company, called Salary Finance.
Through Salary Finance, you have access to the same benefits as before - just with a new name!
Affordable loans repaid through salary - Representative Rate 9.9% APR (fixed)
Money Insights including budgeting tips and tools, videos and webinars
If you have a product with Neyber - your product will continue to work in the same way but any communications about it will be from Salary Finance. You will receive further information about this from Salary Finance, including how to access your new Salary Finance account.
Important: This is an option, not a recommendation. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust does not warrant or assess any of the financial products you may be offered, nor do we benefit from offering this service. All your communications and contracting arrangements will be with Salary Finance. Loan applications will be assessed to ensure the loan is appropriate and affordable for you. “Learn” content is for guidance and educational purposes only and is generic in nature. Salary Finance does not offer regulated financial advice. Your use of products is solely at your own risk.
If in doubt, please seek independent financial advice from a registered financial adviser.
Serve and Protect Credit Union
Save and borrow with repayments from your pay
Serve and Protect Credit Union are a not-for-profit financial organisation, that make it easy for you save with deductions from your pay, whilst being available as an option to borrow from (loans subject to affordability and credit checks).
Not sure what a credit union is?
· Financial cooperative
o This means Serve and Protect are owned and run by their members, operating under the ethos of ‘People Helping People’.
· Exclusive membership
o Only some people can join Serve and Protect Credit Union. This includes employees of Nottingham University Hospitals.
· Not-for-profit organisation
o Profits are shared with members in the form of an annual dividend and reinvested back into the credit union.
Here to help you save, there if you need to borrow
By saving with the credit union, you can play your part to improve the financial resilience of those who serve and protect, including your fellow colleagues!
Start your journey to financial resilience by becoming a member of the Serve and Protect Credit Union today. Learn more via their website below:
Save - https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save
Borrow - https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/borrow
Prepare - https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/prepare
Financial wellbeing can have an impact on all areas of our lives including our mental and physical wellbeing. As already described the Employee Assistance Programme can help and support individuals with these elements as well as providing advice on managing finances. The services described below are also able to support with any impacts your financial wellbeing may be having on other areas of your wellbeing.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy team supports staff whatever their background or belief. Your need may be faith specific, or you may simply need someone who has time to listen and help you understand and make sense of what is happening to you. Support is available 24 hours by contacting 83799 (QMC) or 76187 (City).
Staff Wellbeing Team
If you are experiencing any difficulties, the Staff Wellbeing team are here for you throughout. We have seminars on mental health awareness and support, healthy eating, menopause awareness and support, and mindfulness sessions and courses.
If you would like any information on how to attend these sessions, then please feel free to reach out to us, by contacting us on extension 84771 or by emailing us at staffwellbeing@nuh.nhs.uk.
Self Referral or Manager Referral to Occupational Health
The NUH Occupational Health service can support you to create a positive and healthy working environment and our experienced nurses will help your employees to make healthy lifestyle choices. Our programmes aim to:
Ensure staff ‘know their numbers’ - blood pressure readings, cholesterol, and blood sugar level checks. We provide immediate feedback and straightforward advice to your employees on ways to improve their health.
Improve mental wellbeing
Change behaviour – such as smoking, alcohol, and substance misuse
Increase physical activity
Promote healthy eating
Thrive App
Thrive is an app that is completely free and confidential to all NUH staff. Staff can use the app to individually receive help from a qualified therapist should they need it. After answering a questionnaire, if you qualify a therapist can be in touch with you within 10 minutes.
Thrive also offer other services such as financial wellbeing webinars, and individual help such as deep muscle relaxation, CBT, games related to calming anxiety, and sliding mood scales to insert every day. Use the code NUHT when signing up.
Financial Advice from External Organisations
Money Saving Expert - Cutting Your Costs, Fighting Your Corners
This is a website dedicated to giving advice and tips on how to make your money go further.
On the website you will find a Cost-of-living help guide that offers advice a multitude of topics from saving energy by using a slow cooker to staying warm on a budget, something many people, currently working from home may be interested in as we approach the winter months.
There is also a section that identifies what benefits may be available to individuals (click here) to see if you are claiming all that you are entitled to claim.
You can sign up to a weekly email to stay on top of all the latest deals and guides, tips, and tricks to save money.
Tax Free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year). Please visit Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
30 Hours Free Childcare
You may be able to get 30 hours free childcare if:
You live in England
Your child is 3 to 4 years old
Please visit 30 hours free childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home
If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
For each recommendation you can see:
an estimated cost of making the improvement
how much you could save on your bills
next steps if you want to make the improvement
Money Helper
MoneyHelper is here to help, so you can move on with life. Here to cut through the jargon and complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it. Here to put you in control, with free, impartial help that’s quick to find, easy to use and backed by government.
Whatever your circumstances or plans, MoneyHelper is on your side. Online, over the phone or face-to-face, we’re here to give you clear money and pensions guidance. We can also point you to trusted services, if you need more support.
Open to everyone, MoneyHelper is helping people to clear their debts, reduce spending and make the most of their income. To support loved ones, plan ahead for major purchases and find out about entitlements. To build up savings and pensions, and know their options.
For money help all in one place that’s free to use, just search for MoneyHelper.
Discounts and Money Saving Apps
The Company Shop
The company shop is a store where surplus food from supermarkets is sold at discounted prices. You need a membership card to access this store, which is free to all NHS staff.
The nearest store to NUH is Long Eaton and you must apply for free membership before visiting, you will then be invited to collect your membership card and you are free to start shopping.
Resources Within Nottingham
The Uniform Project
The Uniform Project is helping Parents, Schools, and communities in Nottingham to reduce clothing waste by upcycling school uniforms.
“We achieve this by collecting School uniform donations from schools throughout the year and releasing them back to the community for parents to upcycle and save money at the same time”.
The Unform Project was founded by a Nottingham mum called Emma, is supported by Councillor Audrey Dinnall, the Woven Churches, and St John's Church (Carrington), Himmah and Sharewear to save school uniforms from landfill, helping save the planet.
Notts Help Yourself
The Notts Help Yourself website provides residents of Nottingham with a lot of services
that are accessible to them. Some are free and can offer advice on several things, including financial help. Please visit this web page to find out what financial support you can access around Nottingham.
Connected for Warmth - Free Energy Efficiecency Measures for Domestic Properties
A new energy efficiency scheme, Connected for Warmth, is offering free cavity wall and loft insulation to households nationwide. If the resident’s Council Tax Band is A-D, they could be eligible.
Free Air Source Heat Pumps are available to households that don’t currently have a central heating system in any Council Tax Band, if their circumstances make them eligible. Full eligibility criteria for the heat pump scheme can be found here: https://www.connectedforwarmth.org.uk/ashp-eligibility
These offers are free for both property owners and landlords. Funding is available on a first come first served basis.
If You are a Victim of a Loan Shark
Illegal Money Lending Team (national)
To safely report a loan shark: 0300 555 2222 (24/7)
https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/ (includes resources to download)
Boots Staff Sales Store
All NHS staff can access the Boots Staff Sales store with their NHS cards. Please see below opening times and location details.
Monday-Friday 11:30-3 D6 Store
Nottingham NG90 6BH
Support in Boroughs
Support in Broxtowe
https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-you/live-well/cost-of-living/
Support in Gedling
https://www.gedling.gov.uk/resident/community/supportingedling/
Support in Rushcliffe
https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/counciltaxandbenefits/costofliving/
Foodprint
Himmah have two Foodprint stores, one in Gamble Street Radford and one in Sneinton, located at 101 Sneinton Road.
Radford is open 10-4 Monday-Thursday. Sneinton is open 10- 4:30 Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. We aim for prices here to be roughly 50-60% the price of supermarkets. There's no eligibility criteria so feel free to pop down!
Gambling Addiction Support
Gambling support services (local)
GamCare East Midlands:
Free, confidential structured support for anyone aged 18 and over, experiencing gambling related harms. GamCare East Midlands hold regular clinics at the Wellbeing Hub (73 Hounds Gate, NG1 6BB), offer telephone and virtual appointments, support in co-location with other services, and outreach into specific settings such as in prison. They accept self and professional referrals.
24/7 free helpline 0808 8020 133
Webchat: www.gamcare.org.uk
Wellbeing hub referral: East.midlands@gamcare.org.uk
01522 274880
Al-Hurraya:
Culturally sensitive empowering support for ethnic minority communities, including 1:1 counselling and weekly mutual aid meetings in Lenton. They accept self and professional referrals.
0115 786 9206
Unit 6, Lenton Business Centre,
Nottingham, NG7 2BY
Referral: info@al-hurraya.org
NHS East Midlands Gambling Harm Clinic:
A gambling harm service for adults affected by gambling in the East Midlands. This is accessed in Derby or with virtual appointments. They accept self and professional referrals.
0300 013 2330
www.eastmidlandsgambling.nhs.uk
Gamblers Anonymous:
Confidential mutual support groups of people affected by gambling.
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Sunday: 19:30-21:30
Wednesday: 19:45-21:45
Nottingham Royal Naval Association Club, 22 Church Street, Lenton, NG7 1SJ
nottsgasunday@gmail.com
0330 094 0322
Double Impact, Time Out project:
Developing a post-treatment peer-led recovery programme with ambition of facilitated recovery.
Their website provides information for public and professionals including a screening question, the PGSI tool, and information on local support services.
https://www.doubleimpact.org.uk/time-out-gambling-project
Time Out project co-ordinator: rebeccajones@doubleimpact.org.uk
Gambling support services (non-local)
GamCare (National Gambling Helpline):
They give confidential information, advice and support, free of charge and are available 24/7. They will listen to what is going on, and talk through options for support in your local area, online or over the phone.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/
0808 8020133
GamCare Youth Programme:
Free, confidential 1-2-1 structured support for anyone aged 11-25 affected by gambling harm, including through cryptocurrency and gaming. This service also provides support, advice and signposting for parents, families and professionals.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/outreach-and-training/youth-outreach-programme/
Referral website: https://bigdeal.org.uk/referral-form/
GamAnon:
Mutual support group for people affected by another person’s gambling.
Sporting Chance:
National sport funded organisation offering free gambling harm treatments for professional sportspeople.
https://www.sportingchanceclinic.com/
EPIC Restart Foundation:
A charity offering free support after treatment, through mentoring and coaching.
https://www.epicrestartfoundation.org/
Bet Know More:
A charity providing gambling support, support information, and training services.
https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/
Gordon Moody Association:
Online support and short and long-term residential treatment for men and women.
Gambling With Lives:
A charity supporting families bereaved due to gambling-related suicide. They also raise awareness and campaign for change.
https://www.gamblingwithlives.org/
GamStop:
Blocks UK licensed gambling websites and apps.
GamBan:
Blocks computer, mobile phone and tablet gambling websites and apps. Can be accessed for free via National Gambling Helpline 0808 802 0133.
Support for impacts of gambling
Citizens Advice Bureau Nottingham:
Information on benefits, work, money, housing, family, and immigration
Debt enquiries – 0115 945 3989
Housing enquiries – 0115 945 3970
Consumer enquiries – 0808 223 1133
Universal Credit claim help – 0800 144 8 444
All other enquiries – 0300 330 5457
https://citizensadvicenottingham.org.uk
Nottingham Welfare Rights Service:
Support for financial concerns and benefits advice
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/welfarerights
Telephone: 0115 915 1355 (Mon-Fri 8.30am - 4.50pm)
Email: welfarerights@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Housing Aid, Nottingham City Council:
Support for homelessness or risk of homeless
0115 876 3300
housingaid@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Customer Hub, Loxley House, Nottingham, NG2 3NG
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/homelessness
Nottinghamshire Mental Health Crisis:
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Help in a crisis 0808 196 3779
https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/help-in-a-crisis
Nott Alone:
Support for mental health
Health and Wellbeing Hubs:
Support with health and wellbeing
Juno Women’s Aid:
Support for domestic abuse
0808 800 0340
helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk
Nottingham Women’s Centre:
Support for domestic abuse
0115 941 1475
reception@nottinghamwomenscentre.com
Trade Unions
Royal College of Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing Foundation have a hardship grant. Please click the logo on this page to be taken to the relevant site.
You do not need to be a member of the Royal College of Nursing to apply to the RCN Foundation. We are here for all members of the nursing and midwifery professions. This includes:
NMC registered nurses and midwives who live in the UK, including nurses who have qualified abroad and are seeking to work in a health care environment.
Health care support workers, nursing associates and nursing apprentices living in the UK who have practised in a health care support role for three or more years, under the supervision of registered nurses. Applicants who are currently retired or off sick having previously worked in these roles can be considered for funding if evidence of three years' health care support employment can be provided.
Nursing undergraduate students whose funding has stopped due to illness, or who are fleeing domestic abuse, or who have experienced a bereavement of a partner that they lived with (please get in touch with the Foundation to discuss specific cases).
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
The Members Benevolent Fund (MBF) can assist past and present members of the CSP experiencing unforeseen hardship or financial difficulties.
They will ask that you ensure that you have investigated other sources of assistance, e.g. State Benefits, before applying to the CSP MBF.
Please note that the MBF is UNABLE to assist with:
A shortfall in income/expenditure due to consumer debts such as credit cards and loans
Awards for educational purposes
Awards to support family members in the UK or overseas
For more information or to discuss your application with someone, please call 03306 780 655.
Our lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.