Financial wellbeing is an important contributing factor to an individual’s overall wellbeing. If you are worried about money, then this can have a negative impact on your emotional and psychological health which can then also impact on your physical and social wellbeing. This is why we have pulled together a list of resources which may provide support whatever your circumstances may be.
We want to help all employees feel confident and in control of their finances — and to understand the full range of benefits available through the Trust.
That’s why we offer a series of financial wellbeing webinars, running regularly and delivered by Oaktree Finance, who have supported CNTW colleagues for several years with trusted pre-retirement workshops.
These webinars are designed to help you build clarity and confidence in managing your finances, no matter where you are in your career. Whether you’re just starting out, planning for the future, or thinking about retirement, you’ll gain practical insights to make informed financial decisions.
Topics include:
In addition to these webinars, the Trust works closely with charities, banks, and other financial institutions to provide targeted support and resources, guided by the needs and feedback of our staff.
For more information, or to register for an upcoming session, please contact StaffExperienceTeam@cntw.nhs.uk
CNTW staff can also access financial advice through Vivup.
NTW Solutions staff can access financial advice through PAM Assist.
We’ve been working with the MoneyHelper, an organisation who work to improve people’s financial wellbeing across the UK, to provide you with free, independent support. Based on calls to their support lines, we’ve picked out some of the top tools and resources to help you.
NHS staff can call the dedicated NHS financial support line on 0800 448 0826 for free and impartial money advice, help sorting out debts, credit questions and more. The support line is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Lots of people miss out on benefits they’re entitled to – so it’s worth checking what you can get.
Claiming benefits might also let you get access to other financial help like cost of living payments and discounts on energy and transport.
If you require more information on the cost of living support available to households then please access the Governments ‘Help for Household’ website: https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/
Staff can also access the following sites to see what benefits they are entitled to.
We work in partnership with NHS Payroll Services to deliver training webinars on both The Value of the NHS Pension, aimed at employees at any stage of their career, and Flexible Retirement, aimed at employees looking to retire with opportunities to ask questions.
For further information or to book, please email StaffExperienceTeam@cntw.nhs.uk
This is a free workshop provided by Oak Tree Financial Services in association with CNTW Academy. The workshop covers topics such as financial planning, NHS Pension schemes and legacy planning. To attend a workshop email: CNTWAcademy@cntw.nhs.uk
Payroll services are managed by NHS Payroll, part of Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust.
NHS Payroll provides all aspects of payroll, pensions and expenses for CNTW staff.
If you have any payroll or pension queries you can contact your payroll officer.
We know its a challenging time at the moment financially and would like to share a list of local foodbanks and community organisations who can help support you if you are struggling to get by.
You can find out more information and access support at The Trussell Trust – Stop UK Hunger
Everyone Benefits is a staff savings scheme for everyone (CNTW and NTW Solutions). It helps you manage money and put something aside each month to save for Christmas, your dream holiday, or just for a rainy day.
You are in total control of your savings and you can choose how much to save each month and when you want the money back. Saving with the scheme does not affect your pension or tax payments.
The amount you choose will be taken from your pay each month and kept safe for you. The scheme runs from January and you get the money back in your October pay, just in time for Christmas.
Life doesn’t always go to plan and if you need the money back you can just ask us.
Unless you tell us you want to leave you will stay a member of the scheme and we will start taking the money again in January the following year.
You can join the scheme anytime but if you join by the 5th of January the money will come out of your January pay and you’ll be a member for the full year. But you can join for part of a year if you want.
To join simply email everyonebenefits@cntw.nhs.uk or call 07551 685 531
Staff members may be eligible for social tariffs. These broadband and phone packages are delivered in the same way as normal packages, but at a lower price to support those on low incomes.
If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the social tariffs available from different providers. Some providers also include people on other benefits such as Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Income Support. The person receiving the benefit will need to be the main person on the contract.
Most tariffs offer superfast broadband at speeds over 30 Mbit/s and no or minimal set up costs. If your provider offers a social tariff, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge.
Find out more about social tariffs and see a full list of providing these packages on the Ofcom website.
You may also be eligible to join your energy supplier’s priority services register. This free service helps suppliers know which customers need extra support, such as advance notice of power cuts, priority support in an emergency, or sending bills to a family member or carer.
Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK.
If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, Stop Loan Sharks are here to help and keep you safe.
Their specially trained staff will provide you with emotional and practical support that is tailored to your needs.
Call 0300 555 2222
For more information on Stop Loan Sharks’ service, visit the website linked above or view the information flyer below.
Wondering what you could be entitled to? Check out what Government help is available with childcare costs for parents.
Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support.
Visit the Gov UK page to learn more about the help on offer.
The PDFs below have further information:
My Blue Light Mortgages
Did you know Emergency Service and Military workers can receive FREE mortgage advice via My Blue Light Mortgages?
They are a regulated mortgage and protection advice firm and help everyone from First Time Buyers, Home Movers, and re-mortgages, Buy to Lets and portfolio landlords or those needing specialist adverse advice.
Visit Blue Light Mortgage for all information and services they provide.
NHS Staff Free Mortgage Advice
Lucra offer fee free mortgage advice for NHS Staff. As a key worker, you may be eligible for exclusive mortgage rates and enhanced income multiples with participating lenders, subject to lending criteria & credit scoring.
Lucra have access to over 90 lenders and over 12,000 mortgage products.
Contact the team today and one of the advisers will call to discuss your situation in depth, all for free!
Call 01225 970830
Text 07458195830
Blue Light Card voucher shop helps NHS staff save even more on everyday essentials, monthly treats, gifts for loved ones, and much more!
The voucher shop offers a variety of ways to save with instant and reloadable vouchers and cards for retailers such as Tesco, B&M, M&S, Uber, and many more!
