UNISON CSH - Welfare

Need Help?

Welcome to the Central Sussex Hospitals branch's new website. Direct any questions or comments about this site to Mark Sargent on mark.sargent@unison-csh.org.uk

If you need help and are a member of UNISON, then you should first of all talk to your local representative. Otherwise contact the branch office. As the office is not manned on a regular basis, e-mail contact is preferred. You can also call our national helpline, UNISONdirect, on 0845 355 0845.

Lines are open from 6am to midnight on Monday to Friday and from 9 am till 4pm on Saturday. There is also a textphone number for members with hearing difficulties - 0800 0 967 968.

Welfare

We are aware of the pressures UNISON members face on a daily basis and can provide support at times of unforeseen financial hardship or personal difficulty such as redundancy, bereavement, illness or relationship breakdown.

Welfare advice is provided by the Central Sussex Hospitals Branch's own Welfare Officer, Marilyn Saward. All enquires are handled in complete confidence and with sensitivity.

Find out more about how Marilyn can help members by visiting the Welfare section of this site, or e-mail her on welfare@unison-csh.org.uk

UNISON Welfare

Welcome to UNISON's registered charity. We are a unique confidential service offering advice and support just for UNISON members and their families:

Debt advice

Listening and support

Financial assistance

Breaks and holidays

Personal advice

We support members in a variety of ways mainly through confidential advice and financial assistance in the form of grants. For example we can help with sorting out finances, advise on benefits or put members in touch with another organisation that can help. A grant could be made, for example, to assist with household bills, ease debts or help with the cost of a much-needed break. We can often increase the financial support available by collaborating with other grant making organisations.

The difficult circumstances confronting members who need our help are rarely the result of a single problem. The grants we give often provide a vital breathing space whilst we work with other parts of UNISON and other agencies to find the varied and longer-term solutions required.

Support is offered through our team of experienced casework staff at national office and network of branch welfare officers. Help is delivered at a local level through our Welfare Officer Marilyn Saward, with all enquires handled in complete confidence and with sensitivity. Marilyn can be contacted on 01444 441881 ext 5714 or via e-mail welfare@unison-csh.org.uk

Wellbeing breaks
Our well being breaks can provide welcome relief from the stresses of daily life, and the space and time to reflect away from difficult or depressing circumstances.

Debtline
Through our partners at Payplan we can provide you with free and confidential advice to help clear your debts.

Financial assistance
The difficult circumstances confronting members who need are help are rarely the result of a single problem. The grants we give often provide a vital breathing space whilst we work with other parts of UNISON and other agencies to find the varied and longer term solutions required.

News and publications
Branch welfare newsletter and welfare publications

Bucket and spade appeal
The Bucket & Spade Appeal aims to raise funds for the family holidays provided by UNISON Welfare.

Links
Useful websites and phone numbers to help you find the right advice