Staff benefits and wellbeing update
10 Aug 2022
Cost of living crisis, payroll giving, counselling support and signposting ways to save on day to day costs.
Cost of living crisis
Everyday seems to have more bleaker stories about the cost of living crisis. Yesterday we all learned that the price cap is estimated to be £4,266 by January. If you are worried about whether you should stick on the price cap, or lock into a fixed energy tariff the Moneysavingexpert website has advice.
Moneysavingexpert also have a budget planning tool which analyses your finances to help you manage and control your cash.
While we all wait hoping that the government will provide support in these incredibly difficult times, we will keep sharing ways to save with our discount platforms and signpost mental wellbeing support, financial wellness links and how to look after your wellbeing in general now and in the next year.
If there are any discounts you would like to see on the UniDiscounts portfolio do email staffbenefits@mancester.ac.uk with your suggestions.
Payroll Giving
This week it was reported that the North West has the second highest rate of child poverty in key worker households in the UK. This equates to an increase of 23,000 over the past two years from 151,000 to 174,000 – a rise of 15%.
Our friends at Wood Street Mission continue to fight poverty in our region and are currently running a Smart Start Appeal which aims to alleviate the pressure of cost when it comes to sending children to school. If you are able, there are many ways you can help them supply children with the things they need to go to school.
- Donate new school uniform including school trousers and skirts, shirts, blouses, polos and sweatshirts (ages 4-16). You can also donate other new school items like stationery, backpacks and sports kit to be delivered directly to us from the retailer.
- They can also accept brand new donations at the door and are based at 26 Wood Street, Manchester M3 3EF.
- Make a financial donation. Your donations enable them to keep offering our services to families that need them.
- Donate on a regular basis via our payroll giving scheme.
If you, a loved one or colleague are struggling to make ends meet Wood Street Mission can help. You simply need to be referred by a professional who knows your family’s circumstances well – for example, someone at your child’s school, a social worker, health visitor, midwife, or support worker.
Contacting Validium
The University’s employee assistance programme gives you free support including money and debt support. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – you’ll always be able to speak to someone who can help. Calls are confidential and what you say will never be shared with anyone at the University. Call 0800 358 5997 or +44 141 271 7555 (landline alternative for international and/or mobile use) to speak to an advisor.
UniDiscounts
With our UniDiscounts you have access to two popular lifestyle cards to enable you to save money throughout the year.
CSSC
As a member of CSSC, you’ll get over £300 of instant free benefits and memberships just for joining. These include free family entry to all English Heritage and Cadw sites, free entry to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, PLUS a free tastecard giving you 50% off or 2for1 on dining at thousands of restaurants throughout the country. In addition, you can enjoy thousands more offers and savings on gym membership, theme parks, sports, fitness, retail, cinemas, utilities, hobbies, days out, holidays, experiences and loads more. For just £4.50 a month, you can not only save over £1,000 a year, but also spend quality time with your family making unforgettable memories.
Totum card
TOTUM is the number one student discount card and app giving you access to huge offers on food and essentials plus a whole lot more. One of the popular benefits is being able to save 10% using your Totum card at Co-op stores. As a member of staff of the University of Manchester you can also access the card following these step by step instructions.
Vivup supermarket savings
Don’t miss the supermarket savings through your Lifestyle Savings employee benefit via Vivup. These vary between 4-7% depending on the supermarket, but give you another way to save pennies where you can.
Counselling Service
The Counselling Service have recently published their summer programme. The next session will be managing anxiety on the 16th August.
Be Active - summer class reminder
During the summer vacation from now until 2 September the University will be running group exercise classes in the Wellbeing Rooms, Simon building and on Zoom. More information on the classes and schedules are available here.
For further information visit staff benefits.