Financial Inclusion

Cornwall: Worrying About Money? leaflet

The leaflet is a simple resource for people facing financial crisis - and those who are supporting them - to quickly see available advice and support options and which agencies are best placed to help. The aim is to reduce the need for emergency food aid by helping people access any existing financial entitlements and advice on income maximisation.

Transformation Cornwall worked with partners at the Trussell Trust, IFAN (Independent Food Aid Network) and Cornwall Council to produce the 'Cornwall: Worrying About Money?' leaflet, which was released in June 2021.

Access the online version of the leaflet and/or download a hard copy HERE.

Please order your free copies of the leaflet HERE.

Watch our short film about the leaflet below.

Cash-First Approach

We are working with partners across Cornwall to highlight local and national financial inclusion work, specifically driving a 'Cash-First Approach'.

In 2023 we teamed up with the Trussell Trust, Independent Food Aid Network, and Cornwall Council to co-host a discussion forum around Cornwall Council’s delivery of local welfare assistance schemes. The forum was attended by over thirty front line organisations and support groups who work with people facing hardship and poverty across Cornwall.

This followed an online discussion forum held in November 2021, which gathered critical evidence on how people were able to identify and access financial support from Cornwall Council. This, in turn, led to a review of the Local Authority’s Local Welfare Assistance Scheme (LWAS). Keen to hear and learn from this feedback, Cornwall Council took the review’s recommendations on board and invited us to review their Discretionary Financial Assistance Policy and Internal Guidance Notes for staff, around eligibility criteria based on the report’s recommendations.

The forum was the opportunity for Cornwall Council to present changes they have made and an opportunity for the attending organisations to discuss these changes, and the potential for more collaborative working across organisations in the future.

Transformation Cornwall then co-produced a further report published in July 2023.

Garantee our Essentials Campaign

In February 2024, we also signed, The Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to the leaders of UK political parties in Westminster, urging them to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee. The petition was signed by more than 150,000 people and the Essentials Guarantee has received overwhelming support from across the charity and business sectors, as well as a huge number of faith leaders and churches. Dozens of celebrities and influential voices signed an open letter demanding politicians address the growing levels of poverty in the UK. You can read more from the press release here.

Useful Resources

• Kernow Credit Union: Kernow Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial organisation voluntary led by Members for the benefit of Members. Membership is open to anyone living and /or working in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Savings and loans are available at fair and reasonable rates of interest to suit your needs.

• Christians Against Poverty (CAP): CAP aim to release people from poverty through debt counselling and community groups. CAP offers courses and resources for churches looking to engage with issues of financial poverty.

• Turn 2 Us: Turn2us is a national charity helping people when times get tough. Their website provides a comprehensive benefits checker, grant database and list information and help around finance.

• StepChange: Debt Charity: Provide free, confidential and expert debt advice and money guidance. StepChange recommend the best solution or service for your individual circumstances and support their customers while they deal with their money worries, for as long as you need their help. StepChange also campaign to reduce the risk of problem debt and the harm it causes.

• Money Advice Service: A national organisation providing free and impartial money advice, set up by government. The Money Advice Service provide advice and guides to help improve your finances; tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead; and support over the phone and online.

• National Debt Line: Open and ready to help you - services include an online tool to get debt help; webchat with a specialist advisor Mon to Fri 9am - 8pm and Sat 9:30 am - 1pm) or advice by email.

• Just Finance Foundation: The Just Finance Foundation has a vision of a fair financial system and addresses the issues of financial exclusion, distress caused by unmanageable money worries and debt, and the lack of practical knowledge around budgeting, saving and spending. They offer three training courses for churches and individuals looking to address these issues.

Reports:

• Find out how Transformation Cornwall, IFAN and the Trussell Trust have been working collaboration with Cornwall Council on the eligibility and accessibility of discretionary support for people struggling to afford food. Read our report HERE.

• God and the Moneylenders: faith and the battle against exploitative lending. A report by The Centre for Theology & Community focusing on how those of faith can respond to the rise in exploitative money lending practices.

• More than Just Credit?: The experience of Credit Unions building financial resilience in communities. A report by the Just Finance Foundation and the research and policy team at Church Urban Fund.