With Christmas credit card bills now landing and any over-spending in the run up to the festivities taking its toll, Cheshire Police Federation wellbeing and equality lead Dan Lever is urging officers to make 2022 the year they get their finances under control.
Dan believes that, while the stigma surrounding talking about mental health is now being overcome, people find it incredibly difficult to seek help when they are facing money troubles.
“We are in a situation where police officers are having to use food banks simply because they can’t make ends meet otherwise,” Dan explains, “I can’t comprehend that this is actually happening to be honest.
“The pandemic has just added to the financial pressures people are facing. While officers may not have lost their jobs through Covid, there are many who have seen their household income impacted due to the fact that their partners are now out of work or they have had their working hours reduced. Household bills have gone through the roof and some officers are getting overwhelmed by their money worries.
“People find it hard to admit they have got themselves into a mess financially but I would urge anyone who needs help to get in touch. We can help. The hardest part will be picking up the phone or coming through the Federation office door but after that it can only get better.
Dan has teamed up with No 1 Copperpot, the credit union that works with the policing family. CopperPot has produced a financial wellbeing guide which you can obtain by emailing Dan at dlever@cpf.polfed.org
The credit union pledges to support its members with their existing borrowing, helping them to manage any current loans in a smarter, more cost-effective way with a consolidation loan. It is also looking to help members build up their financial resilience, supporting them in being able to survive any unexpected financial shocks or costs.
CopperPot* encourages its members to save cash to improve their financial resilience which, in turn, will hopefully prevent them from turning to high-interest credit, such as pay day loans.
The credit union aims is to improve the financial wellbeing of its members, by helping them to manage debt and credit scores, while supporting first-time buyers and providing budget-planning advice.
No1 CopperPot is a not-for-profit organisation that offers financial services specifically for the police family.
Open a member account with No 1 CopperPot today.
*All loans are subject to affordability and the lending criteria of CopperPot. Savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000. You can hold a maximum of £40,000 with them across all saving accounts.
Number One Police Credit Union Limited trading as No1 CopperPot Credit Union is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number (FRN) 213301. For details visit http://www.fca.org.uk