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 take part in Talk Money Week.

Find out about local Talk Money Week events you can attend to improve your financial wellbeing.

Find out more about Talk Money Week on the Money and Pensions Service website.

Available support

Advance Credit Union

Advance Credit Union is for everyone in the community, operated as a non-profit organisation.

They 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.

For more information, visit the Advance Credit Union website or phone 0121 350 8883.

You can phone between:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:00am to 3:00pm
  • Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00am to midday

Age UK

Advice on benefits, support, and care for over 65’s. Offers a wide range of support, including tackling issues such as loneliness.

For more information, visit the Age UK website or phone their advice line: 0800 055 6112. Their advice line is open every day from 8:00am to 7:00pm.

Central England Law Centre

Central England Law Centre provide free specialist legal advice to those most in need and use legal processes to fight social exclusion.

They:

  • advocate for people
  • challenge unfair decisions,
  • take cases to the highest courts
  • work in partnerships with other support services.

The centre covers areas such as Housing, Family, and Employment Law.

For more information, visit the Central England Law Centre website or phone 0121 227 6540.

The phoneline is open

  • Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Friday: 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:30pm

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice offers a range of free services and advice including information on your money, family and health issues and your legal rights.

For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website or phone 0800 144 8848. Their advice line is available 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.

For more information, visit the CitySave website.

Money and Pensions Service

The Money and Pension Service's mission is to make sure 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.

For more information, visit the Money and Pension Service website.

Money Saving Expert

The Money Saving Expert website offers a variety of advice.

Narthex Sparkhill

Narthex Sparkhill operate a range of services such as:

  • foodbank
  • clothes bank
  • parish nurse
  • supporting victims project

The Narthex Sparkhill office is based at St John’s Church located on St Johns Road, Sparkhill.

For more information, visit the Narthex Sparkhill website or phone 0121 753 1959 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm).

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 by phone: 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.

For more information, visit the Severn Trent Trust Fund website.

Severn Trent Water

Run by Severn Trent, offers customers on low incomes a reduction in their monthly water rates.

For more information, visit the Severn Trent Water website or phone 0345 602 2777

Smartlyte

Smartlyte was established to help diverse communities engage in accredited training programmes and to develop essential life skills.

Courses are online and provide friendly environment to learn in.

For more information, visit the Smartlyte website or phone 0121 695 1066.

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.

For more information, visit the Stop Loan Sharks website.

The Trussell Trust

Trussell Trust support over 1,200 food bank centres across the UK.

They 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, speak to:

  • Citizen’s Advice. They can make a referral for support. Phone 0808 208 2138 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm)
  • our contact centre - phone 0121 216 3030
  • or other professionals such as Doctors or Social Workers

For more information, visit the Trussell Trust website.

Page last updated: 3 December 2024

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