Our specialist welfare rights and money advice team, Money Matters, which supports around 5,000 people a year, has marked its 20-year anniversary by securing over £60million in income gains for its service users, with £45million secured in the last seven years alone.
Established in 2006, the Money Matters service delivered by Karbon Foundation offers a free, confidential service supporting users to navigate their finances and understand their income entitlements.
Every year the 16 strong team receives referrals to provide advice and information for around 5,000 people, and in the last financial year alone has helped them secure £8.3 million in additional income. The team also provides additional support with budgeting and debt management, as well as signposting to employment and skills colleagues who can offer further support to help people maximise their potential.
Lee Forrest, Head of Financial Wellbeing and Employability at Karbon Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that the Money Matters team has been able to secure £60million in additional income to help thousands of families across the North East and Yorkshire live more comfortable lives, especially against the backdrop of the rising cost of living.
“The team has grown significantly over the last 20 years, and we continue to broaden our remit to support the communities we serve.”
The Money Matters team is an element of Karbon Foundation’s Employment and Skills service, which provides co-ordinated, tailored support to meet service users’ needs.
The service helps people to manage their debts and improve their financial stability at the same time as helping them to gain skills, qualifications and sustainable employment, providing a pathway that will enable them to move towards long-term economic independence.
Money Matters Caseworker, Elaine, has been with the service since its launch in 2006. “Since then, we’ve seen lots of changes to the benefits system, and lots of changes in society, and we’ve adapted our services to best serve the needs of all our service users across all our communities. When someone doesn’t have to struggle to pay for basics, they can focus on other areas of their lives, including looking for sustainable work or taking part in training opportunities.”
Andrea is one of the many service users who has benefitted from the support provided by the Money Matters team.
Andrea said: “Due to personal circumstances and health struggles, I found myself in financial difficulties and The Money Matters team supported me every step of the way, from benefit applications to support with food and energy bills and even attending an appeal with me. I wouldn't have even known where to start if it wasn’t for Money Matters. They see you as a person and you’re not defined by your circumstances.”
Money Matters has also been able to support Andrea by referring her to other support services with Karbon to meet her wider needs, including home adaptations and the Employment and Skills Team.
Money Matters is one of the services delivered by Karbon Foundation, designed to help create lasting social impact in the North East and Yorkshire.
The foundation provides services and support around financial wellbeing, employment, skills and training, community investment, social value, placeshaping and tackling social isolation.
It is a registered charity with the Charity Commission and is part of the wider Karbon Group, which builds, manages and looks after affordable homes for people across the North, all facing different opportunities and challenges, with the core aim of helping people build strong foundations for life.
Our specialist welfare rights and money advice team, Money Matters, which supports around 5,000 people a year, has marked its 20-year anniversary by securing over £60million in income gains for its service users, with £45million secured in the last seven years alone.
Established in 2006, the Money Matters service delivered by Karbon Foundation offers a free, confidential service supporting users to navigate their finances and understand their income entitlements.
Every year the 16 strong team receives referrals to provide advice and information for around 5,000 people, and in the last financial year alone has helped them secure £8.3 million in additional income. The team also provides additional support with budgeting and debt management, as well as signposting to employment and skills colleagues who can offer further support to help people maximise their potential.
Lee Forrest, Head of Financial Wellbeing and Employability at Karbon Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that the Money Matters team has been able to secure £60million in additional income to help thousands of families across the North East and Yorkshire live more comfortable lives, especially against the backdrop of the rising cost of living.
“The team has grown significantly over the last 20 years, and we continue to broaden our remit to support the communities we serve.”
The Money Matters team is an element of Karbon Foundation’s Employment and Skills service, which provides co-ordinated, tailored support to meet service users’ needs.
The service helps people to manage their debts and improve their financial stability at the same time as helping them to gain skills, qualifications and sustainable employment, providing a pathway that will enable them to move towards long-term economic independence.
Money Matters Caseworker, Elaine, has been with the service since its launch in 2006. “Since then, we’ve seen lots of changes to the benefits system, and lots of changes in society, and we’ve adapted our services to best serve the needs of all our service users across all our communities. When someone doesn’t have to struggle to pay for basics, they can focus on other areas of their lives, including looking for sustainable work or taking part in training opportunities.”
Andrea is one of the many service users who has benefitted from the support provided by the Money Matters team.
Andrea said: “Due to personal circumstances and health struggles, I found myself in financial difficulties and The Money Matters team supported me every step of the way, from benefit applications to support with food and energy bills and even attending an appeal with me. I wouldn't have even known where to start if it wasn’t for Money Matters. They see you as a person and you’re not defined by your circumstances.”
Money Matters has also been able to support Andrea by referring her to other support services with Karbon to meet her wider needs, including home adaptations and the Employment and Skills Team.
Money Matters is one of the services delivered by Karbon Foundation, designed to help create lasting social impact in the North East and Yorkshire.
The foundation provides services and support around financial wellbeing, employment, skills and training, community investment, social value, placeshaping and tackling social isolation.
It is a registered charity with the Charity Commission and is part of the wider Karbon Group, which builds, manages and looks after affordable homes for people across the North, all facing different opportunities and challenges, with the core aim of helping people build strong foundations for life.
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