All About Money

The Support and Information Services (SIS) are available to all NHSGGC staff. They offer a wide range of support and have links to other community-based money advice.

To find out more, click on the buttons below to download posters and leaflets giving contact details for the Support and Information Service.

These resources can also be printed off and hung in staff areas for easy accessibility.

Small numbers can be ordered via the Public Health Resource Directory (PHRD).

The Support and Information Services (SIS) are available for NHSGGC staff, patients, carers and visitors. They offer a wide range of support and have links to other community-based advice organisations, including those for money advice and resolving debt. This makes the SIS the ideal first point of contact for staff needing help and support.

The Support and Information Service (SIS) also provides a range of advice and support for staff who may be struggling during the current cost of living crisis.

We are pleased to confirm that, following an award by the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Healthcare Charity, the SIS will also be able to provide small hardship grants to staff. These will be provided as part of a wider needs assessment, to ensure any member of staff seeking to access the fund is also able to access sustainable, long-term support. The service is entirely confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone.

To access our hardship support:

1. drop in or contact your nearest SIS service. We are located in most hospital atriums.
2. call: 0141 452 2387. If we are closed, please leave a message & we will get back to you.
3. email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Visit the webpage for locations, opening times and local phone number, or email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Inform Scotland’s Service Directory contains details of money advice services across Scotland, this may be of particular use for staff who live outwith Greater Glasgow and Clyde:

Debt Navigator provides information and advice on how to deal with debts including- energy debts; mortgage, rent and council tax arrears; loans, credit cards and overdrafts; car finance and care costs. The website includes a web chat function.

A change in your circumstances, such as changes to your health, relationships, pregnancy or unexpected expenses can change what social security benefits and grants you may entitled to access. This section aims to assist those who may not be in receipt of all of the benefits or financial supports they may be legally entitled to.

Information on benefits and grants can be found here:

Information on local, free confidential money advice services in your area can be found via:

Other useful links

Department of Work and Pensions:

Information on benefits including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carers Allowance, Child Benefit and others:

Social Security Scotland

Information on benefits including Best Start Grants, Scottish Child Payment, Child Disability Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement,Funeral Support Payment and others:

The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes.

You must be 16 or older and on a low income, or getting certain benefits, to apply for grants available.

Help with living costs – Scottish Welfare Fund – mygov.scot

Home Energy Scotland is pleased to be working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to offer you support with free and impartial energy advice and support.

They cover everything from simple energy saving tips in the home to transport and active travel advice. Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors offer vital support to colleagues across NHSGGC.

Who is Home Energy Scotland?

Home Energy Scotland is a network of local advice centres covering all of Scotland. Our expert advisors offer free, impartial advice on saving energy, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel and cutting water waste. We’re funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, and our mission is to help people in Scotland create warmer homes, reduce their bills and help tackle climate change.

We’ll help you stay warm and well

Recent research by Home Energy Scotland* has revealed that 70% of people in Scotland feel concerned about energy bills rising, with almost two thirds using more energy than usual during the first 12 months of the pandemic. The research also found that 59% of Scots have noticed a worrying rise in their energy bills already.

Simple steps like changing your thermostat settings in the warmer months, regularly switching your energy supplier or changing the way you pay can all make positive changes to the amount you spend on keeping you warm and well at home.

Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors can help you make the best use of your energy, so your home is warmer and your bills are as low as possible.

Make my home warmer

Find out if you could be eligible for home energy efficiency improvement worth, on average, £5000. Available to home owners and private tenants, Warmer Homes Scotland could see energy efficient home improvements – like insulation or a new heating system – installed in your home at no cost to you.

Go green and save

We can help you make changes that make a big difference to the planet – and your purse. From heating your home using renewable technology to choosing greener ways to travel, our specialists will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle. Take a look at our webinar programme to learn more.

Find funding

There’s lots of support out there to help you make greener changes and reduce your energy use. We’re even offering free ebike trails to GP surgeries.

Speak to an advisor

If you’re worried about your energy bills, call Home Energy Scotland free of charge on 0808 808 2282 – quoting NHSGGC

You can also contact our Advice Team by email at adviceteam@sc.homeenergyscotland.org – quoting NHSGGC

* Energy Saving Trust, “Climate Change Research” April 2021

Home Energy Scotland E-Learning Module

With the weather changing, the cost of energy might be on your mind at the moment. The new ‘Home Energy E-Learning’ module could be a perfect way to help you keep cosy this winter and save money on your bills.

The module will help you save energy at home to reduce your bills and tackle the climate emergency. It is brought to you by the team at Home Energy Scotland and is available through LearnPro under the CPD Category under show all learning and is called ‘Home Energy E-Learning’. You can also search using the search box and type in Home Energy to find the module. To add this to your learning, please click add and confirm. You can then click select to view the module.

The module will take you on a virtual tour of a typical home, identifying energy saving hotspots and help you discover how much money and energy you could save by making simple changes. You’ll get a personalised action plan to download and take away, with tips and details of funding and support to make energy saving home improvements.

Bloomberg UK have created a helpful graphic to show the cost of running different household appliances according to the energy cap scheduled for October 2022.

A carer is a person who provides or intends to provide unpaid, practical, physical and emotional support to relatives, friends or neighbours due to physical or mental illness, addiction, frailty or disability. This includes young people and parents. They do not need to live with the person to be their carer.

If this is you, you are not alone. There is help and support available for you and the person you look after.

Support from your Union

Many unions offer support to their members who are suffering financial hardship. Check with your union for details.

Unison Financial Assistance

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.

If you are a Unison member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.

About the NHS Credit Union

Like all credit unions, the NHS Credit Union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members.

We help care for the financial health of members across Scotland and the North of England and our membership is growing at record rates. Almost 20,000 NHS workers are currently enjoying the benefits of being an NHS Credit Union member.

Our mission is to promote financial well-being and a savings culture in the NHS industry alongside reducing financial stress in staff and providing ethical financial assistance to those who need it.

For access to savings products and loans, paid directly from your salary the NHS Credit Union is easy to join. It can help you to budget your money or to save for holidays, unexpected spends or even your professional registration fees.

Am I eligible to join the NHS Credit Union?

The Safe Harbour Service @NHS Credit Union

Safe Harbour is confidential service open to all members, that aims to help those who may be experiencing economic abuse to take back control of their money.

The service is currently running a simple three questions survey to find out about member awareness of the service and to inform future developments.

A wide range of services are available to NHSGGC staff.

Discounts

NHS Staff Benefits offers discounts and special offers on many products and services from holidays and eating out, to gym membership. Log in to find out further details:

Mortgage Advice Clinic

Qualified advisers can help you find the right mortgage, matching your circumstances and requirements to the right product.

You can arrange an appointment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary by calling 0141 211 5885, or arrange an appointment at Dykebar Hospital on 0141 314 4016.

Financial Planning Clinic

Through NHS Staff Benefits, staff can access support in planning for their retirement or if they have been affected by recent pension changes.

Some stores offer membership to certain groups of workers, including NHS staff, giving access to discounted goods.

The Company Shop offers discounts to NHS staff, and also reduces waste by redistributing surplus food and household products from some of the biggest UK retailers.

Did you know that you can claim tax relief on the cost of laundering your uniform? This includes nursing and allied health professionals and also domestic, catering and portering staff.

You can also claim tax relief on registration fees that you are required to pay to your professional body. It is easy to do and you may also get a backdated sum. To check your eligibility and then apply visit:

Are you interested in learning more about easy retirement planning or how to understand mortgages better. Do you need support on how to manage your money better or maybe you feel you need a midlife MOT on wealth, work & wellbeing? Then these Open University courses may be for you.

They are free & range from as little as 2 hours study upwards depending on the course you choose.

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.

For more information about how you can receive help with childcare costs have a look on the Childcare Choices website.

Problem gambling is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to you or your family, or interferes with your daily life. Most people in the UK gambled or played the lottery in the last year and with the rise in the number of online internet gambling sites and mobile apps has made gambling more easily and readily accessible – activities like playing the lottery once or twice a week aren’t harmful however, for around 9 in 1000 people, gambling becomes a problem or an addiction.

Problem gambling can strain relationships, impact on work and have serious financial consequences. There is a risk that escalation of the problem could lead to harmful behaviours like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.

For information on problem gambling and the signs of problem gambling visit:

Support and getting help

Support within NHSGGC

There is a dedicated specialist resource via Occupational Health via an addiction’s nurse who can be accessed via self-referral on 0141 201 0600. Further information can be found via:

Alternatively your manager may refer you via this link: https://nhsggc.opasg2.com/login/form Further information about this can be found here: Management Referrals – NHSGGC

Other external sources of support

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland has meetings every day, and is free to attend. The meetings are informal and friendly, and there are currently around 70 meetings held in Scotland every day. Gamblers Anonymous also has a 24-hour helpline you can phone on 0370 050 8881.

A member of Gamblers Anonymous will answer your call – someone who fully understands the problem of compulsive gambling. Please note that this is NOT a crisis hotline. If you are in crisis or suicidal call 999.

Gam-Anon Scotland

If you have a loved one with a gambling problem, support is available from Gam-Anon Scotland. The organisation has supportive, confidential meetings that are separate from Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Call the Gam-Anon 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881

Breathing Space

If you’re struggling with the impact gambling is having on your life, or the life of a loved one, phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 for support and counselling. Breathing Space is open:

· Weekdays: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am

· Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am

Public Health Scotland’s Virtual Learning Environment [VLE] has developed 6 modules aimed at those working in front line public services, with some sections dedicated to those in a management role. Please see list below

·       Understanding Poverty

·       Understanding Poverty, Stigma and Discrimination

·       Poverty Sensitive Practice

·       My Role in Service Planning and Design

·       My Role in Organisational Policy

·       My Role as a Line Manager

The module objectives are;

• Provide an overview of poverty in Scotland
• Raise awareness of stigma and discrimination associated with poverty
• Raise awareness of the impact of poverty stigma and discrimination on individuals and their health and wellbeing
• Introduce sensitive approaches to reduce poverty stigma discrimination

To access these modules please visit the VLE using this link Course: Challenging poverty stigma and discrimination (publichealthscotland.scot)

You will be required to enrol to access these modules

Please familiarise yourself with the Challenging Poverty Stigma Hub by watching this short VT. To access, click on the screen below:

• RCN Foundation Benevolent Services (For more information on how to apply for a grant)
• Money Worries and Financial Wellbeing Podcast (National Wellbeing Hub)
• Tips for Managing Finances (National Wellbeing Hub)
• Employee financial wellbeing (CIPD)
• Mental Health and Money Toolkit
• Money and Pensions Service
• Money Helper – Free money guidance
• Citizens Advice Scotland, Council Tax Reduction Tool
• Energy domestic consumer advice for Autumn/Winter 2022 from Ogem (Download the pdf:

Help with Bills Scotland)