Money for Grabs - A great deal for local communities

AT a time when many charities and voluntary groups are reporting funding fears and a sharp rise in demand for their services - Britannia Building Society has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local communities and invites applications to its Community Fund and Charitable Foundation.

The Society - which has 245 branches across the UK including locally in London Street, Southport - is committed to playing its part in the local community.

Through its Community Fund and Charitable Foundation, Britannia gave more than £285,000 back to local communities during 2008 - from educational resource at primary schools to financial literacy support for Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The Society's approach to community involvement stems from its values, beliefs and mutual heritage and it helped more than 100 voluntary groups and charitable organisations, throughout the country, in the past year.

Neville Richardson, Britannia's Group Chief Executive, said:- "Britannia is much more than a building society offering financial products. Our charitable Foundation and Community Fund allow us to give something back to the communities in which we live and work."

During 2009, Britannia's Community Fund will continue to offer one-off donations of up to £1,000 to non-profit organisations, voluntary groups and schools. And, the Britannia Building Society Foundation, Britannia's own registered charity, will offer donations and grants between £1,000 and £25,000. Britannia's aim, wherever possible, is to focus on improving education - particularly numeracy and/or financial literacy.

Over the past seven years, Britannia has donated more than £3.5 million to charities and good causes through the Britannia Building Society Foundation, its Community Fund and corporate charity.

Organisations wishing to find out more about the Britannia Foundation or, Britannia's Community Fund, should pop into one of Britannia's 245 branches or click on its website.

Advice for older people on keeping warm in winter

WITH the Met Office reporting more widespread frost and temperatures dropping to as low as -9°C, Help the Aged is offering older people a free 3 Steps to a Warmer Winter pack to help weather this cold snap.

Mervyn Kohler, Special Advisor to Help the Aged, said:- “It is important to keep warm during this cold snap, which is why we would urge older people to make sure they continue to heat their homes. Anyone concerned about the costs of heating should order one of our free winter warmer packs to find out what support is on offer.”

Three of the key tips included in the pack are:-

1. Check – if you are worried about your finances this winter and you haven’t thought of claiming benefits before, there are a number of easy ways to check what you may be entitled to. Contact a local benefit advisory service or call Help the Aged SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565. Pension credit, council tax benefit or housing benefit are just a few of the entitlements you may be eligible for.

2. Claim - with up to £5 billion in benefits going unclaimed every year you may be able to boost your income. Contact The Pension Service free on 0800 99 1234 to make a claim. Alternatively, inside our free pack there is a coupon you can send off to either request a call from the Pension Service or a home visit.

3. Insulate - a properly insulated home could save you around £275* off your annual energy bill. There are a range of ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and you may be entitled to free insulation from your energy provider.

A free copy of 3 Steps to a Warmer Winter is available by calling 0800 089 0800. As well as useful contacts and the latest information and advice about claiming benefits and improving energy efficiency in the home, it includes a free thermometer to monitor room temperature.

More information and advice can be found online about this topic and lots of others via:- helptheaged.org.uk.