UNISON’s welfare charity There for You responded to more than 4,000 requests for help from union members last year.
The charity was set up to help members and their families in financial difficulties.
This help includes:
- small grants – every year the charity operates two programmes for members on low incomes, one for winter fuel, the other for school uniforms;
- UNISON debtline – a free, impartial and confidential debt advice service provided in partnership with Payplan, who are experts in helping people in financial difficulty;
- credit unions – a new and unique network of 40 credit unions to help low-paid members tackle debt;
- wellbeing breaks – these can include family holidays, get-well breaks, breaks for a carer or following bereavement.
UNISON also campaigns nationally for the government to alleviate the financial worries of millions of workers by negotiating decent pay for our members, speaking up for a living wage and arguing for social security that supports those most in need.
