Financial support after Christmas

It's easy to get a little carried away during the festive season, and we don't just mean by dipping into the tub of chocolates too many times.

Surveys show around a quarter of people build up debts at Christmas because they feel they have to splurge on more than they need and we sometimes feel the pressure of "making the day magical" or trying to compete with others.

However you spent the festive season, we wanted you to know that we're here to help if you need support with your finances after Christmas.

Our dedicated Tenancy Sustainment Team will work closely with you to see how they can help maximise your income, working with other agencies to apply for benefits you didn't know you were entitled to, or more direct support with things like food or energy vouchers, or even buying the kids school uniform. They can also put you in touch with our partners Lightning Reach.

We really are here to help!

Last year the team supported residents to claim over £10 million in benefits they were entitled to helping residents stay debt free and keeping their tenancies safe.

Also, through our Support Fund, we’ve awarded £640,000 to residents – helping them to navigate through difficult times.

They provided support such as:

• food vouchers so they have enough food for them and their families
• energy vouchers to make sure their home is warm
• cookers which mean residents can cook a hot meal
• fridge freezers so residents can buy and store fresh food instead of packaged and processed food
• ring doorbells to victims of domestic abuse which means that they feel safer to stay in their homes and don’t have to move 
• school uniforms meaning that our younger residents can focus on their education.