Talk Money Week 2024 is here, and it's all about sparking conversations around financial matters that affect us all—like budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and financial planning. This national initiative highlights the importance of financial education and encourages everyone to take control of their finances for the future.

Earlier this year we reached out and asked colleagues to help us best shape how we can say ‘thank you’ and help you to feel valued whilst working here with us at LUHFT.  We are using the valuable feedback you shared to help shape our reward and recognition processes and increase the amount of benefits available to you, whilst ensuring these are relevant to you and of quality also. One of the key areas of focus identified was a need for further support around financial wellbeing for our colleagues.  

This Financial Awareness Week, we wanted to remind you of the financial wellbeing support available on offer to you:

If you are struggling with finances and would like to hear more of the educational support around managing and maintaining your financial wellbeing, Wagestream have a range of available financial support and wellbeing resources for you to access. These include:

  • Education – personalised education and money coaches
  • Budgeting – shifts, pay and spend. All in real time, all in one place
  • Savings  – Just under £1 million has been saved by LUHFT staff to date and now we have the ability to save more with the launch of ‘Save’ in November 2024. This offers a competitive interest rate (current 4.7% AER) and FSCS protected balances up to £85,000. Start saving now or switch your build pot to Save to benefit from this
  • Benefits checker - ability to check for government benefit top ups – over 850 LUHFT employees have checked whether they are entitled to benefits
  • Pay – a iflexible pay cycle and state benefits top ups
  • Discounts – shopping discounts that lower the cost of living
  • Credit – fair, affordable loans.

This week marks the new 'Save' product in Wagestream which will allow staff to benefit from interest rate of 4.7% and save up to £85,000 (currently restricted to £1,000).  This will require staff to move their current build pots held in Wagestream to the new product but will offer substantial opportunity as it's a full FSCS protected account.

Wagestream are currently offering a £5 refer a friend bonus too - this is for a short time only!

For more information, please click here: Comprehensive Financial Wellbeing Platform for Your Workforce. Or, to download the Wagestream App and to find out more around ‘Instant Pay’, please check the Wellbeing Hub section of the Life@LUHFT Staff App.

As well as Wagestream we have a comprehensive financial wellbeing guide that provides support for everything from managing utility bills to accessing health benefits and finding cost-saving tips. Plus, don’t miss out on our five financial wellbeing courses. You can find all the details, dates, and booking info via ESR self-service. As part of our commitment to your wellbeing, we have also partnered with Ian Massey, who offers professional financial advice. Ian will be available for virtual one-on-one sessions on November 21st from 9 AM to 1 PM. If you want to book a session, reach out to Ian directly at ipm@mhwifa.co.uk.

Coming soon: Citizens Advice Bureau: To deliver 1:1 support session via telephone or Teams.