Since the pandemic began, many families and communities across the UK have been thrown into financial chaos. Over a quarter of households have faced a reduction in income (Bank of England); issues of unemployment, furlough, Universal Credit, bills and arrears have impacted millions of families.

Through an Allchurches Trust grant, the Just Finance Foundation was able to expand its COVID Cash Course, an information and signposting workshop, empowering churches and community leaders to help their communities through a train-the-trainer model. This has now benefited over 30,000 individuals in need of signposting, resources, and accessible financial information.

In Alford, a small Lincolnshire town 11 miles away from Skegness, a local community have been fighting back against COVID-19.

The ‘Alford Hub’, a support network with 90 volunteers, have been offering socially distant befriending, prescription delivery and other vital support to local people in Alford ever since the Coronavirus pandemic transformed our everyday lives in March.

Our colleagues in the Black Country have launched a new campaign to improve the financial health and resilience of employees across the Black Country, and encourage workforce savings through credit unions.

We wanted to take a moment to write and update you on the work the Just Finance Foundation are doing to battle the Coronavirus. The Just Finance Foundation, like many other charities, have been quick to respond with support to people effected by the Coronavirus.

So what have we been doing?

The Just Finance Foundation’s Money First Aid equips staff and volunteers in support services to guide someone to the help they need. The online tool hosts key resources, tips for taking about money and links to organisations that can offer advice. For quick access wherever you are it can be saved to your phone, laptop or tablet.

How we view people with little money often needs to be challenged.

Liz Chadwick works for JFF in Newcastle and Northumberland. Here she describes the process of setting up a new credit union to serve a rural area.

How Just Finance Liverpool is helping to change the financial systems that so adversely affect those on the lowest and most insecure incomes.