Staff Hardship Fund

Supporting our colleagues when they need it most

We know that unexpected financial difficulties can affect anyone. Our Staff Hardship Fund is here to provide short-term financial support to colleagues at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who are facing urgent financial hardship.

Established in response to the cost-of-living crisis, the fund reflects our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our colleagues, recognising that looking after our people helps them continue providing the best possible care to those who use our services.

Eligible colleagues who are experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional or unexpected circumstances can apply for a grant of up to £500 in any one year.

Help us support more colleagues

Your donations help us provide vital financial support to colleagues during difficult times. If you would like to contribute to the Staff Hardship Fund, you can make a donation or consider setting up a regular monthly gift.

Who can apply?

The Staff Hardship Fund is available to colleagues employed by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on a substantive contract who are experiencing urgent financial difficulties as a result of exceptional circumstances.

Grants are intended to provide short-term support with essential costs and unexpected financial pressures.

What can the fund help with?

Financial hardship can arise when circumstances make it difficult to afford essential living costs or meet urgent financial commitments.

We can consider applications for a range of needs, including:

• Essential living costs: Food, rent, utility bills and clothing.

• Childcare: Essential childcare costs.

• Travel: Necessary travel expenses.

• Household emergencies: Repairs or replacement of essential household equipment.

• Priority debts: Assistance with reasonable priority debts.

• Unexpected emergencies: Other exceptional circumstances that create urgent financial difficulties.

These examples are not exhaustive. Each application will be considered individually, taking into account the circumstances and level of need.

Important information about the fund

Before applying, please be aware of the following:

• Grant amount: Eligible colleagues can receive up to £500 in any one year, subject to available funding.

• Eligibility: Grants are only available to colleagues employed by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who are experiencing urgent financial hardship.

• Household savings: Households with savings of more than £4,000 are not eligible. This includes savings held by a partner who lives with you and contributes financially to the household.

• Other support: The Trust has policies covering areas such as relocation, sickness and leave, which should be explored before applying.

• Available funding: We aim to support as many colleagues as possible, but grants are dependent on the funds available and we may not be able to meet every identified need.

How applications are assessed

Every application is considered carefully and individually. We will look at the severity of your financial hardship, your circumstances and any steps you have already taken to seek support or manage your situation.

This might include contacting your trade union, Citizens Advice or the Employee Assistance Programme, or reviewing your household expenditure.

Our aim is to ensure that the support available makes a meaningful difference to colleagues who need it most.

Your privacy and confidentiality

We understand that asking for financial support can be difficult, and we want colleagues to feel reassured that their application will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

Applications are reviewed by the Director of Workforce, Cheryl Newsome, and Chief Operating Officer, Ben Mensah.

Your name will only be shared with the Charity team, a wellbeing colleague and a finance colleague where necessary to process your application. Personal identifying information will be removed from the application before it is shared with the assessing panel to protect your privacy.

Before you apply

There are several sources of support available to colleagues experiencing financial difficulties.

1. Contact our wellbeing team

Before submitting an application, you must contact the Trust's non-clinical wellbeing team at OccupationalHealthandWellbeing@sabp.nhs.uk.

This is a required first step before your application for a hardship grant can be considered.

2. Explore the Trust's wellbeing support

Our staff wellbeing hub, available through the Trust's intranet, provides information about financial support, benefits, debt advice and other resources to help you manage financial pressures.

3. Find local financial support

Surrey County Council provides information about cost-of-living support and services available to people experiencing financial difficulties.

4. Get independent advice

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential advice on debt, benefits, household finances and other issues.

How to apply

If you are experiencing urgent financial hardship and have explored the support available, you can apply for a grant from the Staff Hardship Fund.

Before submitting your application, please:

1. Read the eligibility criteria and guidance above.

2. Review the examples below of requests that may or may not qualify for a grant. These are provided as guidance and are not exhaustive.

3. Contact the Trust's non-clinical wellbeing team, as outlined above.

4. Complete the electronic application form below, providing all the requested information.

You can also find the application form by searching for 'Staff Hardship Fund' on the Trust's intranet.

Payment

If your application is successful, payment of the grant may be made in one of the following ways: 

1. Payment for goods/services may be made direct to the supplier 
2. Payments to reduce/clear debts may be made direct to the creditor or, if appropriate, payment will be made out to the creditor and sent direct to the grant recipient. 
3. Payments needed to meet everyday expenditure may be made direct to the individual via BACS transfer. 

Donations to the Hardship Fund are designated for use for the purpose of providing hardship grants to staff in unexpected financial crisis. If at some stage in the future the hardship grants scheme is no longer needed, or funds cannot be used in this way, any money remaining in this fund will be used for other charitable activities for the people we support and staff across Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.