Teacher Support Network offers grants for rent and bills

Anyone who works in further and higher education has a strong ally in the Teacher Support Network. This organisation offers something to financially distressed clients rarely provided by other charities–cash.

The Teacher Support Network provides support to all teachers and employees involved in further education (FE) or higher education (HE). Support is provided for employees in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with an additional affiliate office in Wales.

This national charity provides money advice just like other charities and the counsellors are well versed in the challenges faced by today’s teachers. They can help educators deal with the stress of the job as well as challenges in balancing work with home life.

What is offered?

Grants may be allocated for a number of approved purposes. These can include:

• Rental security deposit grants
• Rental arrears
• Delinquent utility bills
• Council tax arrears
• Medical equipment
• Clothing
• Funeral costs

While all of the approved needs can be helpful in various situations, the rent and utility aid tend to be the most common needs. Often a teacher can afford all of the other needs if they can just get help with their biggest monthly costs. A rental assistance grant can truly go a long way in helping a teacher deal with a financial emergency.

Why is support provided?

The directors of Teacher Support Network understand how negative life stresses can cause problems in the classroom. Ultimately the students suffer when a teacher is unable to focus on work due to financial concerns. Programmes are funded by fellow educators, making this a great way for colleagues to help each other in their time of need.

By providing financial support and counselling, the charity is able to reduce stressful effects of managing sometimes fluctuating expenses on a teacher’s limited salary. The service is a part of the charity’s commitment to provide aid whenever an educator is facing a crisis. Services have been provided since 1877, making this one of the oldest operating charities in the UK.

Who is eligible?

The Teacher Support Network provides broad support to teachers, their families and dependents. Trainees and retirees are also eligible for aid.

Basically anyone either currently or formerly employed in adult, further education and higher education may apply for a grant. A money management counselling session will first determine the nature of the problem. If it is chronic in nature, then special counselling will be provided to ensure that the client is better off. In some situations, an emergency grant payment may be issued to resolve a temporary crisis that has created a hardship.

Contact

The following contact information is provided for 24 hour support:

• England, Scotland, Northern Ireland: Teacher Support Network (Drayton Park), telephone 08000 562 561.
• Wales: Teacher Support Cymru, telephone 08000 855 088.
• Special Grant Team hotline: telephone 0808 802 03 04.