Talking about money
If you find it hard to talk about money, you’re not alone. That’s why every year we encourage people to open up about their finances. By having a conversation, you can improve your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Birmingham’s Financial Inclusion Partnership is proud to be taking part in Talk Money Week.
Due to COVID, the forum this year is digital based, and we have provided a list of services offered by some of our partners, that can be accessed online or via telephone. Most of these links are also gateways to accessing other services.
You can find out more about 'Talk Money Week' on the Money and Pensions Service website.
Advance Credit Union
Phone 0121 350 8883
10:00am to 3:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
10:00am to midday on Wednesday and Saturday
Advance Credit union is for everyone in the Community, operated as a non-profit organisation. We provide essential financial services to many people who would otherwise be financially excluded; such as: internet banking, prepaid debit card, bill payment/debt management, tenant saver account and free life and loan insurance.
Age UK
Age UK advice line is free and available from 8:00am to 7:00pm, 365 days a year. Phone 0800 055 6112.
Advice on benefits, support, and care for over 65’s. Offers a wide range of support, including tackling issues such as loneliness.
Birmingham Local Welfare Provision
Birmingham's Local Welfare Provision (LWP) scheme helps vulnerable people in short term crisis with food and essential items. It is grant-based, which means people who receive help from it will not have to repay anything. It is not intended to replace the council’s statutory duties.
Central England Law Centre
Phone 0121 227 6540, 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm, Friday closed for lunch 1:00pm to 2:00pm
We provide free specialist legal advice to those most in need and use legal processes to fight social exclusion. We advocate for people, challenge unfair decisions, take cases to the highest courts and work in partnerships with other support services. We cover areas such as Housing, Family, and Employment Law.
Citizens Advice
The CAB offers a range of free services and advice including information on your money, family and health issues and your legal rights.
Phone their Advice Line 0800 144 8848, open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Citysave
Citysave is a credit union, an account that helps you save and helps you manage your money. It’s a non-profit-making money co-operative whose members can borrow from pooled deposits at low interest rates.
Money and Pensions Service
Our mission is to ensure everyone in the UK can easily access the information they need to make the right financial decisions for them throughout their lives, making the most of their money and pensions.
Money Saving Expert
This website offers a variety of advice.
Narthex Sparkhill
Phone 0121 753 1959, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
The Narthex Sparkhill office is based at St John’s Church located on St Johns Road, Sparkhill. Narthex operate a range of services such as foodbank, clothes bank, parish nurse (phone: 07988 742 380), and supporting victims project.
Neighbourhood Advisory Service
Advice on benefits, and accessing support, for example applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment if there is a shortfall in your benefits. The service is available by booking an appointment on 0121 616 6200.
Severn Trent Trust Fund
People unable to meet the cost of water charges and who live in the Severn Trent area can apply for help. You may qualify for a reduction of between 10 to 90% of your bill.
Severn Trent Water
Run by Severn Trent, offers customers on low incomes a reduction in their monthly water rates, phone 0345 602 2777.
Smartlyte
Phone 0121 695 1066
Smartlyte was established to help diverse communities engage in accredited training programmes and to develop essential life skills. Courses are on-line and provide friendly environment to learn in.
Stop Loan Sharks
A loan shark is someone who runs a money lending business without permission from the Financial Conduct Authority. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing any of the above or has any knowledge of loan shark activities you can phone the Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence on 0300 555 2222.
The Trussell Trust
Phone 0808 208 2138 to speak to Citizen’s Advice who can make referral for support you 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Trussell Trust support over 1,200 food bank centres across the UK. Together, we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, while also campaigning for change to end the need for food banks in the future. To access the service you will need a foodbank voucher, which can be obtained from Citizen’s Advice, Neighbourhood Offices (Phone: 0121 216 3030) or other professionals such as Doctors or Social Workers.
