There for You, UNISON Welfare

Unison has its’ own Charity called ‘There for You’ (previously known as Unison Welfare).

The ‘There for You’ Charity provides a Confidential Advice and Support Service for members and their dependents experiencing financial hardship and/or emotional difficulties as a result of unforeseen circumstances (being off work with a long term illness, bereavement, loss of job etc).

The contact point for ‘There for You’ within the Inverclyde Branch is Carole Watt, Welfare Officer, (Contact Number at the Branch Office : 01475 715900)

The help UNISON offers :

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; DEBT ADVICE; WHITE GOODS PURCHASE; SUPPORT & INFORMATION; WELL BEING BREAKS; ACCESS TO A NETWORK OF CREDIT UNIONS; GRANTS.

UNISON’s Debtline Service – is available to all UNISON members and offers free and confidential support with debt management and budgeting.

School Clothing Grant – for help with school uniform costs as families on low incomes can struggle to make ends meet, please note that the 2017 scheme has now closed.

Winter Fuel Grants Programme for members whose net household income is less than £18,000 a year and with a joint household bank balance of less than £1,000 can apply for help with their fuel payments. The details for this years’ winter’s grant application are on the Unison Website.

Wellbeing Breaks – which may help to provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances. The Charity can help you towards the costs of a break, depending on your financial situation; on occasion funding has been available for family day trips as organizing a holiday when a family member has been ill can be overwhelming.

Financial Assistance to purchase White Goods, help and assistance for Funeral Costs – in situations of hardship and unforeseen circumstances.

There is no guarantee that UNISON can offer you financial help, but thousands of members and their families do benefit from our support every year. For example, in 2012, There for You gave more than 4,000 grants to members totalling nearly £750,000.

Further details about the services provided can be answered by Carole Watt through the Branch Office and on the Unison Website www.unison.org.uk/thereforyou or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk