Spotlight on the Moneywise team
This year our Moneywise team is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. Over this time, the team has helped thousands of customers with budgeting, debt management, eligibility for benefits and grants, distributing food bank vouchers, energy advice, applications to our Customer Support Fund and much more.
Even if you’re working, there may still be some benefits, grants and additional support you’re entitled to. In the year 2022-23, the Moneywise team helped customers to apply for benefits and grants totalling £1.58 million – and they may be able to help you too!
The support from our Moneywise team is free and completely confidential. You can arrange an initial chat with them through your MyRaven online account or by calling 0300 123 3399.
Customer Support Fund
We know times are difficult, so we've invested more money in our Customer Support Fund to support you if you're struggling to pay for new appliances, essential furniture, debts and other unexpected bills.
The fund is available to ALL customers, whether you're employed, on benefits, in sheltered accommodation, or a leaseholder.
With the cost of living on the increase, many people are also looking to get better paid work. Our employment advisors are able to support you with accessing opportunities to develop your skills and confidence to be able to get these higher paying jobs.
Last year, we received 153 applications to the fund, we paid out a total of £30,870 to help customers like Mrs C* from Merstham who was struggling to sleep because she was so cold: “I received my blanket yesterday. I had a good night sleep without my dressing gown and hot water bottle. Thank you very very much for your help.”
Getting extra support
The Moneywise team also has strong links with local and national charities and extra support services that they can refer you to.
We’re a partner of Citizens Advice Bureau Reigate and as one of our customers, you can contact them for advice on a wide range of subjects like legal, health, employment, family law and immigration.
We can refer you to Stripey Stork, a local baby bank, that supports families in need of help with everything from clothing, toys, equipment, and toiletries, from birth up to age 16.
There are a number of local Food Banks, including Loveworks, St Matthews in Redhill, Epsom and Ewell and other food banks across East Surrey and West and Mid Sussex that we can provide you with vouchers to access. This is a short-term fix for emergency food and we’ll work with you to find long term solutions to help make sure you have access to food.
Top tips for saving £ in the run up to Christmas
The festive season is filled with memorable moments but it‘s also a time when our wallets can take a big hit. With the right planning and some creative thinking you can enjoy a fantastic Christmas without breaking the bank. Here are some of our top tips for saving money in the run up to Christmas:
- Focus on the kids: Due to the cost of living, lots of families only buy presents for the children, particularly if the families are large. Most people understand the need to cut back and this decision can bring relief to others who might be struggling too.
- Most shops are only closed on Christmas Day so don’t stockpile! Make a meal planner and only buy items required for the meals on your list. That way, you won’t buy what you don’t need and there will be a lot less waste.
- Enjoy local entertainment: Instead of splurging on high-priced theatre performances, opt for local amateur dramatics. They will be a lot cheaper than a star-studded pantomime and you can usually take your own snacks.
- DIY games night: Save your money on entertainment by making your own games. Classics like charades, pictionary, who am I? can all be recreated at home and provide hours of fun for the whole family.
*names have been changed to protect the customers’ identities