Our impact 2012
“A huge weight lifted
off my shoulders....”
Communicating with your family and friends
and joining in at school are things most of us
take for granted, but for Teresa Hall’s twelve
year old son, Zachariah, it’s been a very
challenging journey. His heart, hearing and
sight, as well as his breathing and ability to
speak are affected because he suffers from
a rare genetic condition known as CHARGE
syndrome.
“Up to now Zach hasn’t felt involved
in family life – but he’s now got a
communication mode which enables him
to take part in family conversations... I’m
delighted that he’s finally able to join in
with his sisters.”
Teresa Hall
So when The Charity for Civil Servants helped
purchase an iPad and several specialist apps
designed to help children who are deafblind, it
was life changing.
Now, for the first time, Zach can talk with his
friends, communicate with his teachers and
join in classroom discussions on an equal basis.
But it’s not only his life that has changed for
the better...
In 2012 we helped 29 individuals with advice,
referral or financial assistance every working
day and changed the lives of over 7,300 people.
Who are we?
We’re the Charity for Civil Servants. We’re
here for you, offering support and advice
when you need it most.
Who do we help?
We help people who work, or have worked, in
the Civil Service, together with their families
– whether you were a civil servant for a short
time or your whole working life.
How do we help?
We support you and your family when life
gets tough. Bad things can happen to any of
us. Whether it’s money worries, falling ill,
losing someone we love, housing problems or
poor living conditions, the Charity can help.
We may provide a short-term fix with money,
but, as importantly, we offer support and
advice to help you deal with problems.
“Your referral to the National Autistic
Society and David’s subsequent diagnosis
has opened the door to appropriate benefits,
legal advice and further help for my son.
David now has two mentors, will soon meet
other people with Asperger’s and he hopes
to get an apprenticeship through Aspire in
IT. This is an enormous improvement. David
now has a shape and a future he didn’t have
before the Charity intervened...”
Lynette Walter
Advice, support and
problem-solving
In 2012 our advisors answered one phone call
every seven minutes - that’s over 15,000 calls
- providing support and advice on a vast range
of issues, including illness, quality of living
standards and money worries.
“I cannot put into words how much your
help has changed my way of living and
state of mind... anybody can be a victim
of circumstances. I never thought I could
be in the situation I am now and your help
has put me in a position to fight on to full
recovery. I look forward to going home
after work and most of all, I look forward
to inviting my kids for a weekend. Thank
you so much.”
Hazvinei Musakanya
Our Services
In 2012 we looked at the most common
problems facing current and former civil
servants and their dependants and decided
that there is a better way to help people.
With 53% of people’s problems being resolved
via a mix of financial support and debt advice
and 20% of people needing advice alone, it was
clear we should offer longer term solutions to
their problems and move on from monetary
support alone.
In 2012 you helped us improve the
living conditions of over 1,000 people
and bring them new hope.
Health, Wellbeing and Money
So we identified three main areas where we
could add the most value as a charity – Health,
Wellbeing and Money - and started to change
the way we provided help, not just for 2012,
but going forward into 2013 and beyond.
John called us for assistance after being
evicted and declared homeless. We helped
him straighten out his finances and gave
him advice about debt management so he
could rebuild his life – we were even able
to help furnish his new council flat with
essential items so that his ten year old
daughter could safely visit.
“I’m overwhelmed by the help I got from
the Charity – your kindness, sincerity and
humanity really touched me. It lifted my
spirits and helped me get my feet on the
ground.”
John Shaw
Health
Coping with illness – your own or a family
member’s – can take a heavy toll on the
toughest of people. Our advisors are here to
give practical advice and referral to partner
charities or other services. We can also help
pay for transport costs to attend essential
appointments or buy equipment to improve
your quality of life.
After Roy’s leg was amputated he was
effectively a prisoner in his own home. His
wife is a serving civil servant but despite her
full time salary, adapting their house was
beyond their means. For months he had to
literally drag himself along the ground to
get around – the pain it caused him and the
resulting distress to Diane was overwhelming.
When we contributed towards the cost of a
stair lift, a walk-in shower and a mobility
scooter, the difference it made to their lives
was enormous.
“You were absolutely marvellous. You not
only significantly improved the quality
of life for Roy, but also took an enormous
amount of stress and worry off my
shoulders – we are so grateful you
were here for us.”
In 2012 we supported 5,892 people with short
term financial help and so alleviated their
immediate worry.
Diane Bedford
Health on Your Mind
Mental health conditions affect one person in
four in the UK at some point in their lives and
are often reactions to difficult life events such
as divorce or bereavement.
Our special initiative to support emotional
wellbeing is called Health on your Mind; run
in partnership with the Department of Health
and mental health charities, it’s supported
by online toolkits offering information and
guidance to people experiencing emotional
distress and mental health issues.
The initiative is also a useful resource for
managers seeking support for colleagues who
may be experiencing mental health difficulties.
Last year 6,000 people like Nicola benefitted
from the help and guidance they found on our
Health on Your Mind web pages.
Nicola Lloyd found our Health on Your
Mind questionnaire the most thorough she
had come across in over a year of dealing
with mental health services. “I found it
incredibly helpful to put down in words
exactly what was going on and why I
needed help...” We helped by funding
Nicola’s membership of Bipolar UK.
“I didn’t know it existed before and would
never have been able to find £300 just like
that... I now go to a local support group
which is really helpful and it has been
great to know the helpline is there if I
need it.”
Wellbeing
At some time in our lives many of us will face
challenges that may affect our ability to cope
with everyday life. Relationship difficulties,
family breakdown, bereavement or caring
responsibilities can all take their toll on our
physical or mental wellbeing. And sometimes
practical help at the right time can prevent a
crisis point and keep families together.
But if you decide the best thing is to separate
and start a new life we can help with that too.
Domestic abuse
It’s a sad fact that domestic abuse can affect
as many as one in four women and one in six
men. In 2012 we developed an online resource –
a domestic abuse channel which confronts this
difficult issue head-on.
Last year we provided advance rent and
deposits for 263 people in desperate need of
safe and stable accommodation.
When Lindy’s partner grew violent and
attacked her with a hockey stick she hit
rock bottom and fearing for her life, fled
with only the clothes on her back. He then
viciously destroyed all of her belongings including her car.
Although the council eventually helped
rehouse her, when Lindy contacted the
Charity for help she didn’t even have a
cooker or a fridge.
“You were all amazing; at such a low time
you reacted so quickly - the Charity saved
my life - I was so desperate and I can’t
thank you enough.”
Carer’s Passport
“Without the Carer’s Passport we probably
wouldn’t be in the Civil Service anymore…”
If you’re one of the estimated 45,000 civil
servants in the UK who are also carers, our
Carer’s Passport helps you identify where
additional support will help you meet your
caring responsibilities. It also acts as a guide
for current and future managers to help make
reasonable adjustments at work.
We helped Julie and her husband with a Carer’s
Passport so they could care for their son Bill,
who suffers from M.E.
“The Carer’s Passport gave us the chance to
sit down and think about what we needed in
a structured way. It’s been incredibly useful
– we now have something in black and white
we can show management so we don’t have
to keep going into the ins and outs of things...
When you’re in a situation, you just live with
it and do the best you can … but I now realise
the passport has given us a huge sense of
relief. It’s been incredibly useful and
helped us all.”
Julie, Border Force
Figures from our 2012 Carer’s Passport survey
show that 70% of carers had a high, or very
high, level of stress before they received their
Carer’s Passport. After using the passport in
their workplace, this was reduced to 23%.
Money
Debt
It‘s alarmingly easy to get into money trouble,
but you don’t have to face it on your own.
For the vast majority of people who approach
us with financial worries, debt is the result
of a raft of troubles, including relationship
breakdown, stress and mental health issues,
and caring responsibilities.
Improving quality of life
For people living on low incomes, a boiler
breakdown or a broken oven can be one last
straw. A small grant from the Charity can
alleviate the immediate worry, and coupled
with our money advice can help get life back on
an even keel.
“Seeing all my debt written down in one
place has jolted me into action. I also thank
you for the booklet enclosed advising
me how to manage my finances with
examples of letters that I can send off to my
creditors. It is an extremely helpful guide.”
Anne Junor
We give grants worth a total of £15,500 every
working day.
Our support gives individuals the chance to
find solutions to their core problems so that
they can move on with their lives and find ways
to put their finances back on track.
Money information and debt advice
In 2012, we advised and supported 1,788 people
who needed help to manage their debt, get
their finances in order and move towards a
brighter future.
Emergencies
If a crisis hits – someone dies, the family splits,
or you lose your job – we can give you funds to
ease the financial worry. You may need to pay
for a funeral, move house, buy furniture, adapt
your home or pay for essential repairs – we will
always try to help.
If necessary, we can get money to you very
quickly. If you face a flood or fire, for example,
we can send funds to help you pay for what you
need straight away.
When the UK was subjected to freak torrential
rain last June, Stuart’s family home was
flooded with two feet of water in only an hour.
The family lost their home and their car; their
son couldn’t get to school and Stuart was
advised they’d be out of the house for five to
six months. We were able to help with a grant
to cover essential costs until the insurance
company reimbursed them for their losses.
“The hotel didn’t come cheap and our savings
vanished, so the help was incredible… after
so much trauma, having such a horrific time,
to have something good happen and someone
help us – I can’t describe it.”
Stuart Harding
In 2012, we helped 222 people following
devastating emergencies.
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Promoting independence
If you are experiencing ill-health or disability,
we can help pay for a computer to keep you
in touch, an adaptation to your home, or a
wheelchair to get you out and about.
In 2012, we helped 83 people regain their
independence by buying mobility aids such as
wheelchairs and stair lifts. These people didn’t
qualify for statutory help and couldn’t afford to
purchase these products on their own.
Gerry’s dilapidated wheelchair was
giving him pressure sores and he was
in constant pain before he came to the
Charity. Paraplegic and suffering from the
after-effects of a stroke, he desperately
needed an electric chair to help retain his
freedom. Working in partnership with The
Mobility Bureau, we provided a motorised
wheelchair in time for his wedding.
“The chair I needed was considerably more
than I could afford...gathering enough
money for it was impossible... If my story
helps to raise awareness for the Charity
and brings in much needed funds then
so much the better. My new chair helped
make my wedding day comfortable as well
as magical!”
Gerry Gardiner
Volunteers
We couldn’t help as many people as we do
without our volunteers, who play an essential
role in delivering our services. During 2012
we’ve helped our volunteers to focus much
more on those services by developing their
expertise in specific areas.
As well as enhancing their personal and
professional skills and experiences, our
volunteers tell us it brings them a sense of
pride and achievement as well as appreciation
from their colleagues.
“One of the things I get from this role is
seeing the different ways people can be
helped and knowing that I contributed to it...
I just enjoy being a Volunteer, it’s rewarding,
interesting - it’s a great feeling when you
come away knowing you are using your own
knowledge to help someone else...”
Wendy Jacobs
How we are funded
The Charity for Civil Servants is literally for
you, by you. Whether donors or volunteers those who give their money or time want to
support others in the civil service in their time
of need.
Lynne Haines from Jobcentre Plus, Sheffield, receiving her Volunteer
Certificate of Achievement Award from our Chair, Una O’Brien CB,
Permanent Secretary, Department of Health
Donations
There are many ways to give money to the
Charity – through payroll, through sponsorship
and fundraising events, leaving a legacy
in your will, or by donations via text or the
website. See www.foryoubyyou.org.uk for more
information.
“Please accept this donation. I received a
grant from you two years ago and couldn’t
have survived without it. I have turned my
life around and now I’m back on my feet, I
have moved to somewhere larger for myself
and my boys and am much more optimistic
about the future. Your help was much
appreciated.”
Mrs. H Murzon
“…the support you provided has made
a very significant and real difference
to Mr M’s life… I have been a witness to
many wonderful acts of generosity from
you over the years and I stand amazed at
what difference you make…once again I
sincerely thank all your staff, volunteers
and supporters for the work of your
charity.”
Miles Richardson, MBE
Community Solicitor
Citizens Advice Bureau
£7,047,000 in donations
In 2012 we received £7,047,000 in
donations, through payroll giving,
legacies, sponsorship and fundraising.
Thank you.
“Thank you guys so much...
You gave me wings again.”
The Civil Service Benevolent Fund. Company limited by guarantee registered no: 7286399.
A Charity registered in England and Wales no: 1136870 and in Scotland SCO41956
Where can I find help?
General Enquiries
Help and advice line
The Charity for Civil Servants,
5 Anne Boleyn’s Walk,
Cheam, Surrey SM3 8DY
0800 056 2424
Open from Monday to Friday
Call: 020 8240 2400
Email: [email protected]
Email Us
[email protected]
Visit our website
www.foryoubyyou.org.uk
Here you will find a wealth of information and
resources
Teams across the country
Our staff and volunteers across the UK meet
with people in their own homes, at work or in
other places so that we can provide the advice,
guidance and support that’s needed.
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@foryoubyyou