Hello everyone!

In this weeks episode we discuss issues around welfare and finance.

Following on from our recent Discussion on Welfare & Finance earlier in March, we sat down with Terrence Higgins Trust LivingWell Services Manager Ruth Burns, The Food Chain’s Volunteer & Services Manager Anna Brewster and Positively UK’s Welfare Rights Advisor Rosa Midheksa-Kenea. We put your questions to the panel

The Food Chain - Volunteer & Food Service Manager - Anna Brewster

As Services & Volunteer Manager, Anna oversees the delivery and day-to-day operation of these services. Most people who come to The Food Chain are experiencing complex socioeconomic barriers to living healthy, independent lives. Anna provides directional support for those in hardship; working together to navigate, make sense of and access support services and networks.

Terrence Higgins Trust - Livingwell Services Manager - Ruth Burns

Ruth Burns is the Living Well Services Manager at Terrence Higgins Trust. Ruth started 10 years ago developing the Work Positive program – a development programme for people living with HIV looking to re-enter the workplace, build skills and confidence. Now Ruth manages a collection of LivingWell services to empower people living with HIV to live well at home, with friends and family, and at work.

Positively UK - Welfare Rights Advisor - Rosa Midheksa-Kenea

Rosa Midheksa-Kenea has been working in the fields for 10 years. She has been involved in various organisations and currently works for Positively UK.

Resources & Support Organisations

https://www.tht.org.uk/our-services/online-services/work-and-skills - Terrence Higgins Trust personal development, work and skills programme

https://positivelyuk.org/welfare-rights-advice/ - Positively UK we offer a specialist welfare benefits service for people living with HIV

https://www.foodchain.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/ - The Food Chain deliver meals and groceries, offer cookery and nutrition classes and communal eating opportunities to people living with HIV in London and their dependants.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/ - Advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau on completing your PIP application

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/taxes-and-benefits-information-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-customers-leaflet-pride1 - This leaflet explains the impact of taxes, National Insurance contributions, tax credits and State Pensions for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers. 

https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/ a wealth of advice for job seekers and job search ideas

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ for skills assessment, finding a course, exploring career options and speaking to a careers adviser

https://www.futurelearn.com/ for a huge variety of online courses to boost your skills and knowledge

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ - Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en - Free and impartial advice from The Money Advice Service

https://taxaid.org.uk/ - Help with Tax problems if HMRC can’t sort it out