Financial support
We know how much money worries and stress can affect your wellbeing.
Here at LSCft we offer access to support to help you take control when it comes to money matters.
Below is a list of the help available.
You can also find out more about saving money on the Staff Benefits page.
Salary Finance
Get affordable loans repaid through your salary.
Many people find managing their money a daunting and stressful task.
Our mission is to help you take control of your finances so you can worry less and enjoy life more!
Salary Finance provides:
Loans repaid through salary: an affordable alternative to credit cards and overdrafts, which could be used to cover an unexpected expense or to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
Money Insights: a range of tips, tools and videos to help you better understand your personal finances
With higher acceptance rates than traditional lenders and lower interest rates, Salary Finance may be able to help you pay less for your debt.
Our interest rates range from 3.9-19.9% APR with a Representative Rate of 9.9% APR (fixed).
Representative Example: A loan of £3,000 over 2 years will cost you £137.71 per month at a Representative / fixed annual interest rate of 9.9% APR. The total cost after 2 years is £3,305.09 which includes £3,305.09 interest with no with no hidden fees or charges
Important: This is an option, not a recommendation. LSCFT does not benefit from offering this service and all your communications 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. Please seek independent financial advice.
Affordable loans – Payroll Pay
As part of the staff benefits offered through Vivup, you can access a range of educational resources and debt consolidation.
These can be repaid direct from your salary.
Using Vivup, you can also buy home and electronic items – including tech - in a budget-friendly way.
Using Payroll Pay®, you can spread the cost of your items through manageable monthly salary reductions with no credit checks.
NHS Credit Union
Like all credit unions, the NHS Credit Union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members.
The Union helps care for the financial health of members and almost 20,000 NHS workers are currently enjoying the benefits of being an NHS Credit Union member.
Its mission is to promote financial wellbeing and a savings culture in the NHS industry alongside reducing financial stress in staff and providing ethical financial assistance to those who need it.
Credit unions
A credit union is a financial co-operative which provides savings, loans and a range of services to its members.
All credit unions offer savings accounts and loans and some run one or more branch or service points to offer a face to face cash service.
To become a member you need to call or visit your chosen union and need to share a ‘common bond’ with other members.
Gambling Charter
Working with Unite the Union, LSCft is the first NHS organisation to sign a new Workplace Charter – a commitment to supporting employees and their family members who may be experiencing harm as a result of gambling.
We work with the Beacon Counselling Trust to provide specialist support to anyone who feels that gambling is having a negative impact on their life or family.
Employee Assist Programme (EAP)
Please know, we also offer an Employee Assist Programme (EAP) to all those working for LSCft.
An EAP is a confidential employee benefit to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home or work life or both as well as your health and general wellbeing.
Our EAP is provided by Health Assured.
They offer a helpline which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Please ring: 0800 028 0199.
Through the helpline you can access:
• Ad-hoc emotional support
• Formal counselling – either face-to-face or telephone sessions
• Online video counselling and CBT
To access support, please use the username ‘Lancashire’ and password: ‘Care’.
Food banks
Food banks are community organisations that are designed to provide short-term emergency support with food. You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.
A good place to ask for a referral is your nearest Citizens Advice however, you can also ask for a referral from organisations such as charities, schools, children’s centres or your local council.
Money Helper
If you’re struggling with debt Money Helper provides information on free advice services available across the UK to find help in the best way for you.
Household Support Fund
Provided by the Department for Work and Pensions to support those in need, the fund runs from 6th October 2021 until 30th September 2022. The fund can be used to help towards the cost of food, energy or water bills and wider essentials such as bills and housing costs.
To access support in Lancashire contact your district council here.
To access support in Cumbria call 0800 783 1966 (9am – 3pm).
Turn2us
Support to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help. Their website includes a benefits calculator, grants search database, information on welfare benefits, charitable grants and managing money.
Further contacts and information
Money Helper are offering independent impartial advice to NHS staff through a variety of means:
NHS Staff Support Line
Call: 08004480826. Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
Whatsapp: add +447701342744 and send the Money Helper service’s national support team a message
Webchat: chat to one of the team via their online portal.
Membership dependent links that might you may be able to access financial support via:
Blues and Two's
Here to help you save, and there when you need to borrow.
Staff can sign up on the Blues and Twos website below.
No need to do anything further as Blues and Twos send the payroll deductions to payroll directly.
Please take a look at the Save and Borrow Leaflet for further information.
