Colleagues
Everyone will be aware that the cost of living has increased significantly over the last year and continues to rise. Many are struggling to make ends meet and increasingly people are finding themselves in the difficult position of making a choice between heating their homes and feeding their family. The hardships each person or family face are unique to their own circumstances.
Public sector workers are not immune from financial hardship and even those who have always considered themselves to be earning a good wage are feeling the pinch. In the police sector there are real concerns when a colleague finds themselves in hardship as it can make that person more vulnerable to being taken advantage of. In response to this we have been looking at ways in which we can support our colleagues and reduce the chances of them falling into positions of unmanageable debt.
The Trussell Trust have a network of foodbanks across the country set up to help those who are in need. The recent work conducted on the Wellbeing Bus, as well as contact with Unison, the Police Federation, Force Chaplaincy and Staff Associations has shown that we have colleagues who will benefit from the services of the foodbanks.
As part of the support that UNISON offer to Staffs Police they have made contact with the Trussell Trust who have agreed to let Unison act as a reference organisation to issue foodbank vouchers to those colleagues who require support.
If you feel you need that assistance then please make contact with Robert Birch by the internal email and he will arrange to discuss your needs with you. You can make contact with Rob via the internal email system.
This support is open to all who work in Staffordshire Police regardless of whether they are Police Staff, Police Officers, agency workers or volunteers. You do not need to be a member of Unison or Federation to seek assistance.
All contact will be dealt with confidentially and no one, other than yourself and Rob would be aware that vouchers have been issued. Using the vouchers enables someone to collect food, free of charge, from one of a number of foodbanks close to their home.
UNISON members should be aware that accessing the food bank in this way does not preclude them from also seeking support from UNISON’s Welfare Charity There for You – for further details please email the branch office.
Rob Birch, Branch Secretary of Staffordshire Police Unison