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PRINTScottish teachers to receive financial support
Immediate Release: Thursday 29th April
Teachers in Scotland who have money worries are to receive specialised help in claiming the money they are entitled to.
Teacher Support Scotland, a charity providing specialist emotional support for teachers and former teachers, has teamed up with Turn2us so that service users can access the financial help that is available to them.
Now when teachers or former teachers with money worries contact Teacher Support Scotland’s 24/7 telephone support line or online support they will be referred to the Turn2us helpline who will assist them in understanding the often complex world of benefits and grants.
In addition, Turn2us has a free, easy to use website they can visit in their own time to find out what financial help they may be entitled to claim.
Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us, said: “Teachers are not exempt from falling into financial hardship and they should know that they do not need to suffer alone and help is available. Between 2007-2008 £16.8 billion of welfare benefits went unclaimed and at present there are over 3,500 charitable funds listed on the Turn2us website. We want to ensure that everyone who is struggling to make ends meet is receiving all the benefits and grants they are entitled to.”
Teacher Support Scotland was founded in 2001 and runs confidential support services for trainee, serving and retired teachers, as well as their families. Last year alone, they recorded nearly 10,000 incidents of someone using one of their services, including their telephone support line, online support and the advice and tools on their website.
Vicky MacDonald, Development Manager for Teacher Support Scotland, said: “I am delighted that we will be working with Turn2us to help teachers and former teachers access vital information on grants and benefits. In the current economic climate with budget cuts rife across the sector, and with the recent freeze on Scottish Public Pensions, this couldn’t come at a more appropriate time.”
Julian Stanley, Group Chief Executive Officer, added: “Teacher Support Network, the English counterpart charity, has a long history of giving grants to teachers and former teachers in need. However, as a young charity, we don’t have the resources to offer this in Scotland yet, so being able to refer our users to Turn2Us is such a comfort during difficult times.”
Teachers in Scotland can call Teacher Support Scotland day or night on 0800 564 2270 about any personal or work-related issue and teachers with financial concerns will be referred to a Turn2us adviser. Alternatively teachers with financial concerns can visit www.turn2us.org.uk.
For information, photographs and interviews please contact:
Laura Johnston, Press Officer. Telephone: 020 8834 9260. Laura.johnston@elizabethfinn.org.uk. Hythe House, 200 Shepherds Bush Road, London, W6 7NL.
Notes to Editors:
About Turn2us
Turn2us helps people in financial need access the money available to them – from welfare benefits, grants and other financial help – through its comprehensive website (www.turn2us.org.uk) and freephone helpline.
- Turn2us services are free, confidential and accessible, enabling people in financial need to access welfare benefits and charitable grants information quickly and easily – all in one place.
- The Turn2us website contains a number of accessible, easy-to-use, tools, such as a benefits checker, grants search and Find an Adviser tool.
- Turn2us is part of the Elizabeth Finn Care charity.
- Turn2us helps grant-giving charities reach people in need even more effectively by creating a single access point to information on charitable funds.
- Around 13.5 million people in the UK live below the poverty line, including four million children, despite the fact that £16.8 billion of welfare benefits went unclaimed from 2007-2008 (source: DWP and HMRC) and thousands of grant-giving charities exist that give grants to people in financial need.
- Teacher Support Scotland is an independent charity that was formed in 2001 in response to a growing need to support trainee, serving and retired teachers. We are part of the UK-wide network of charities that aim to improve wellbeing and effectiveness in education.
- Our 24/7 free and confidential Online Support and telephone Support Line services are staffed by highly trained coaches and qualified counsellors who specialise in the needs of teachers and former teachers. Whether for personal or professional reasons, we're there to guide and support you through difficult times.
- We also deliver training workshops, host over 1000 factsheets on our website and produce tools for schools and local authorities to improve organisational wellbeing.
- Visit our website for more information or to access our Online Support via www.teachersupportscotland.info or telephone 0800 564 2270.