Support structure

Financial difficulties can significantly affect our overall wellbeing yet talking about money has long been a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.

This month, if you're feeling worried and anxious about money, you're not alone. Financial worries are a major cause of stress for millions of adults; just take a look at the figures below:

• One in two of us worry about our finances with many people ‘slipping’ financially each year and resorting to expensive forms of borrowing

• Two thirds of UK workers are ‘balancing’ financially, dealing with the ‘now’ rather than saving for the future

• One in six people under the age of 35 have defaulted on debt repayments

• Only 40% of people have a month’s worth of savings to tide them over and just 58% of people feel confident about handling unplanned spending of up to £500.

Worrying about money can leave us feeling stressed, low or anxious. It can affect self-esteem, the ability to sleep well, as well as lead to the breakdown of relationships with friends, colleagues or loved ones. But don’t worry, help is available.

Our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund (RHF) offers financial assistance and support to colleagues (past or present) and their dependants. The Fund operates independently, fairly, confidentially and without judgement and can make grants towards disability aids, household items and modifications, rent and mortgage arrears and a lot more.

To find out more about the fund, visit the RHF website. You can also contact them directly at rowland.hill.fund@royalmail.com or follow the fund on Facebook or Twitter.

The First Class Support helpline can help with information on government benefits, managing debt and dealing with creditors. The helpline can also offer colleagues self-service direct access to mental health support as well as legal, relationship and lifestyle advice.

Call the 24/7 confidential helpline on 0345 266 5060 or visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk.

You can also visit www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk for proactive financial wellbeing and mental health advice and content as well as the ‘Online Stress Tool’ (use code FFC1 to register).

Other support: 

• Neyber: Through My Bundle’s financial wellbeing option you can access debt consolidation loans and financial education. Log into My Bundle through PSP or visit mybundle.myroyalmail.com.

• Stepchange: Offering expert, tailored advice and practical solutions to problem debt, contact the UK’s leading debt charity on 0800 138 1111 or visit www.stepchange.org.

• Money Advice Service: Free and impartial advice including tackling problem debt and a number of tools and calculators to help manage money better. Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk (includes a live chat option) or call free on 0800 138 7777 (available five days a week).

• Citizens Advice: Free, confidential and independent advice to help overcome problems such as benefits, debt, family problems, housing, legal issues and health. Advice is available face to face, over the phone, by email and webchat. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk, call the national helpline on 03444 111 444 or find your nearest Citizens Advice.

• Samaritans: Available 24/7 offering confidential support for anyone who may need help or be in crisis. Call: 116 123.

• Shout Mental Health Text Service: Free and available 24/7 - text Shout to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer.