UNISON Welfare

UNISON Welfare is a registered charity; it aims to help a wide range of problems faced by members and dependants. These include illness, injury, relationship breakdown, bereavement and loss of income. Support is offered through a team of experienced casework staff at national office and branch welfare officers. We are here to listen and help.

Convalescence
For members and their dependants not in need of nursing care. Our convalescence service has been designed to provide financial help towards all or part of the costs of a recuperative break following illness, injury or an operation. Help is also available

• following bereavement of a partner or dependant child.
• for respite breaks for carers with day to day responsibility for a disabled dependant
• for support at home
• with the associated costs of rehabilitation
  

Ill health and disability can impact on the whole family and there will be occasions when it is beneficial for the person who is unwell and their dependants to get away together. In such circumstances we will consider providing additional funding.

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Debtline
Many people fall into debt at some point in their lives. Sometimes all it takes is a small change in circumstances to tip the balance and turn a manageable situation into a debt problem.
At UNISON Welfare we are used to helping members who are struggling to cope with the stress and worry of debt. Through our partners at FCL (Federated Credit Limited) we can provide you with free and confidential advice to help clear your debts. With FCL’s Payplan you get:

• Reduction of multiple debts to a single payment
• Choice of payment methods including Paypoint cash option.
• An assigned case officer to call for advice throughout the repayment programme
• Supported self-help if you prefer
• A completely free service with no hidden charges

FCL’s Payplan is paid for by the credit industry so every penny of your repayments goes towards your debts unlike some debt management companies who charge a fee.

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Fully funded holidays
(To be eligible for funding towards the cost of the holiday, you must normally not have had a holiday in the past three years.) Help with the full cost of a week’s holiday at various holiday centres in the UK is available for families with children who are on low incomes and are experiencing other difficult circumstances. Shorter breaks are also available.

The holidays are provided in conjunction with the Family Holiday Association, a national charity specialising in providing family holidays.

Destinations include UNISON's award-winning Croyde Bay holiday village in Devon.

The holidays on offer are mainly self-catering and a small allowance to help with buying food and some of the entertainment, where this is not included, is also provided.