• Time to talk, time to change – Putting an end to mental health discrimination

    Time to talk, time to change – Putting an end to mental health discrimination

    This article was published on Fri 31 Jan 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Choose talk, Change lives

    We know that talking about mental health can feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to. Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet many people can feel isolated, ashamed and worthless because of this. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives. 

    That’s why it’s so important that Time To Talk Day on 6th February 2020 gives people the opportunity to talk about mental health and how it can affect anyone, of any age, gender or background. Time to Talk day isn’t just about helping others, its also important to understand and recognise your own wellbeing

    Looking after your own mental health

    • Keep active – exercise helps both your physical and mental health, this can just be a regular walk
    • Eat Well – what you eat and your mood can be connected, so think carefully about what you are eating
    • Ask for help – sometimes you need help from others, so don’t be afraid to ask for this help
    • Take a break – make sure you have regular time to relax and re-charge
    • Do something you’re good at – doing something you enjoy and you are good at can give you the ‘feel good’ boost that everyone needs

    Top Tips to Support Others

    • Check in – ask others how they are feeling
    • Listen and don’t judge – its great that people are happy to talk to you about how they are feeling, so ensure you really listen to them
    • Treat them in the same way – don’t change the way you act towards someone once you are aware of their poor mental health
    • Don’t forget little gestures can have a big impact – this may just be making them a cup of tea or inviting them out for lunch
    • Ask twice – asking someone twice how they are feeling will give them the opportunity to be honest

    Financial problems is one of the biggest worries that can negatively affect your mental health. According to Money and Mental Health Policy Institute over 420,000 people in problem debt consider taking their own life in England every year, while more than 100,000 people in debt actually attempt suicide annually*.

    It’s important to start talking about money worries before your situation gets worse. Talking about money will give you the confidence to get help and find out who can best advise you on any problems. It can give you a great sense of relief to share your problems, so you’re not facing them alone.  If you don’t feel ready to talk to someone, write down what you are going through and share it with somebody you can trust.  It’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible and not wait until it’s more difficult to find a solution.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433. If you don’t want to talk on the phone contact them using their online form. www.payplan.com

    Police Mutual Products & Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website.

    The Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk

    Username: policemutual

    Password: careline

    The (not so) small print

    *Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘a silent killer’ Published December 2018

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is an incorporated friendly society. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Joanne Palmer

  • Blue Monday – 20 January 2020

    Blue Monday – 20 January 2020

    This article was published on Thu 30 Jan 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    ‘Blue Monday’ is said to fall on the third Monday of January every year. It is considered to be the most depressing day of the year, factors including the weather, debt, the time elapsed since Christmas, and unsuccessful New Year’s resolutions all cause this date to be regarded as the most depressing day of the year.

    With money worries being one of the largest wellbeing challenges facing members of the Police family, it’s important to start talking about money worries before your situation gets worse.  Worrying about money can negatively affect your mental health and for those people experiencing mental health problems it makes it harder to manage their finances. 

    The stress of dealing with financial pressures does not just affect your personal life. It can affect your work, family life, health and relationships. We recognise that sharing your concerns with the people closest to you isn’t always an option.

    Taking positive steps to address things that are weighing upon our minds is always important Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.   We’ve teamed up with PayPlan*, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433.  If you don’t want to talk on the phone, contact them using their online form.

    Improve your financial wellbeing with our online tools here

    • Budget Calculator
    • Financial fitness tool
    • Information on managing debt
    • Life Planner

    Police Mutual Products & Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website at www.policemutual.co.uk

    The Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support.  To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk

    Username: policemutual

    Password: careline

    *PayPlan is a trading name of Totemic Limited. Totemic Limited is a limited company registered in England, Company Number: 2789854. Registered Office: Kempton House, Dysart Road, PO Box 9562, Grantham, NG31 0EA. Totemic Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Conduct Authority Number: 681263.

    Police Mutual is a trading name of Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited (PMAS), PMAS is an incorporated friendly society authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Joanne Palmer

  • Talk Money Week – 18 – 22 November

    Talk Money Week – 18 – 22 November

    This article was published on Mon 18 Nov 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Money and debt is often seen as a taboo subject but Talk Money Week is here to break the stigma.

    According to the recent Police Federation Pay & Morale survey* around one in eight officers are seeking financial support to cover living costs. Talk money week is an ideal time to review your finances and improve your financial wellbeing.

    Worrying about money can negatively affect your mental health and for those people experiencing mental health problems it makes it harder to manage their finances.  Problem debt can also be linked to suicide.

    According to Money and Mental Health Policy Institute over 420,000 people in problem debt consider taking their own life in England every year, while more than 100,000 people in debt actually attempt suicide annually.**

    It’s important to start talking about money worries before your situation gets worse.  Talking about money will give you the confidence to get help and find out who can best advise you on any problems.  It can give you a great sense of relief to share your problems, so you’re not facing them alone.  If you don’t feel ready to talk to someone, write done what you are going through and share it with somebody you can trust.  It’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible and not wait until it’s more difficult to find a solution.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.***

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433.  If you don’t want to talk on the phone, it is also possible to email them.

    Below are some tips on how to improve your financial wellbeing

    • Use our budget calculator here to help you manage your money. Set yourself a daily spend limit based on how much disposable cash you have each month
    • Set up a separate bill account and transfer an amount each month to cover the cost of all your household bills
    • Check your bank balance each week so there are no nasty surprises. Consider using an app so you can see all your accounts in one place
    • Switch your current account – banks will often pay you to switch accounts use the link here for more information
    • Look at your general insurance, using the link here for Police Mutual car insurance and here for Police Mutual home insurance
    • Check your utility bills, for more information use the link here
    • Review your mortgage – for more information on the Police Mutual mortgage advice service click here
    • Check your credit score using one of the various companies available online including, Experian, Equifax or CallCredit

    Police Mutual Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website at www.policemutual.co.uk

    The Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support.  To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal:

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal
    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk/
    Username: policemutual
    Password: careline

    The (not so) small print

    * Police Federation’s annual Pay & Morale survey results published in November 2019

    ** Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘a silent killer’ Published December 2018

    *** PayPlan is a trading name of Totemic Limited. Totemic Limited is a limited company registered in England, Company Number: 2789854. Registered Office: Kempton House, Dysart Road, PO Box 9562, Grantham, NG31 0EA. Totemic Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Conduct Authority Number: 681263.

    Police Mutual is a trading name of Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited (PMAS), PMGI Limited (PMGI) and Mortgage Excellence Plc (MEX).  PMAS is an incorporated friendly society authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. PMGI and MEX are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All Police Mutual companies are registered in England and Wales.  PMGI, register no. 1073408; MEX, register no. 03527577. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • The first Wednesday in November each year is National Stress Awareness Day

    The first Wednesday in November each year is National Stress Awareness Day

    This article was published on Mon 04 Nov 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    We all know what it’s like to feel stressed – being under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.

    Stress isn’t a mental health condition, but it can cause a mental health problem, like anxiety or depression or it can cause an existing one to get worse.

    Stress can also affect you physically, it can cause headaches, tiredness or stomach problems.

    National Stress Awareness Day is a great opportunity to take a moment to think about your own wellbeing and find out more on how to manage stress.

    What you can do to help with stress

    There are various steps you can take to cope with being under pressure, remember, different things work for different people.

    • Identify your triggers and take control – working out what triggers your stress can help you anticipate when you may feel stressed and what you could do about it in advance.
    • Organise your time – making some adjustments to the way you organise your time can help you feel more in control and able to handle the pressure you are feeling.
    • Be active – exercise can help clear your head and then let you deal with your problems more calmly. Go outside to exercise, as fresh air and spending time in nature can really help.
    • Talk to other people – friends, family & colleagues can help support you through the stress you are feeling, you may even have a laugh and start to relax. You may also want to consider talking to a professional counsellor.
    • Do something you enjoy – spending time doing something you enjoy will take your mind off how you are feeling. Everyone needs to take time for themselves, it can be as simple as having a bath or reading a book.
    • Avoid unhealthy ways to cope – many people use alcohol, smoking, chocolate and gambling to try and relieve the stress they are feeling, none of these things will help in the long term, use healthy coping strategies like going for a run, listening to music or walking the dog.
    • Challenge yourself – learning new skills and setting yourself new goals will help build your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
    • Help others – people who volunteer in the community or for a worthwhile cause tend to be more resilient.
    • Try to be positive – think of all the things you are grateful for, write down or say out loud 3 things that went well each day.
    • Address some of the causes – where possible improve some of the issues that are putting pressure on you.
    • Accept the thing you can’t change – it’s not easy, but accepting that there are some things happening to you that you can’t do anything about will help you focus your time and energy elsewhere.

    Worrying about money can be extremely stressful and may lead to mental health conditions.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433

    Police Mutual Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website at www.policemutual.co.uk

    The Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal
    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk/
    Username: policemutual
    Password: careline

    The (not so) small print

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is an incorporated friendly society. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

    PayPlan is a trading name of Totemic Limited. Totemic Limited is a limited company registered in England, Company Number: 2789854. Registered Office: Kempton House, Dysart Road, PO Box 9562, Grantham, NG31 0EA. Totemic Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Conduct Authority Number: 681263.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • How to protect yourself against cyber attacks

    How to protect yourself against cyber attacks

    This article was published on Thur 24 Oct 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and we’re doing our bit to raise awareness about cybercrime and how it can affect your daily life – whilst bringing you top tips on how to stay safe online.

    We’re more connected to technology than ever before. From shopping and online banking, to email and social media, our personal information is increasingly digitalised. And as a consequence, the threat of cyberattacks continues to expand and evolve.

    That’s why it’s vitally important to stay secure and safe online.

    What is cybercrime?

    Cybercrime is any criminal activity that involves a computer or network.

    Examples include, fraud, bullying, theft or grooming that are committed online using a device, such as smartphones, tablets or other devices.

    Cybercrime also includes crimes against your computer or device, such as contaminating or corrupting it with viruses or taking-over your social media profile, email account or your website.

    What is cyber security?

    Cyber security is the measures you can take to protect the devices you use, and services you access online from cybercrime. Cyber security is also a way of preventing unauthorised access to your personal information that you store on a device or online.

    Now that smartphones, computers and the internet are such a fundamental part of everyday life, cyber security is essential for everyone, not just businesses, to go about their day-to-day lives.

    What can I do to protect myself?

    There are a number of steps you can take to stay safe and secure online. From updating your privacy settings, to getting the latest software, here are some tips and resources to help you protect your devices and data.

    OWN IT

    Stay safe on social media by limiting what you share, changing your passwords and checking your security settings.

    You should also update your privacy settings regularly, whether this is on shopping websites, your email or music services you use.

    Make sure your personal information is safe on the apps you download, too. With so many apps available, data like your name, email address or home address may be being used without realising it.

    SECURE IT

    By creating strong passwords or turning on multifactor authentication (double log-in), you’re building stronger layers of protection against your personal information and keeping your devices well-protected.

    PROTECT IT

    It’s also important that you are using the latest security software and apply updates when possible. This will help to ensure cybercriminals are kept out – and stay out!

    Helpful resources:

    us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-cyber-safety-guide-tips-to-own-it-secure-it-protect-it.html

    takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

    ncsc.gov.uk/section/information-for/individuals-families

    stopthinkconnect.org/tips-advice/general-tips-and-advice

    getsafeonline.org/

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • Mental Health Awareness Day

    Mental Health Awareness Day

    This article was published on Thur 10 Oct 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but as today is mental health awareness day, it is a great day to look after your own wellbeing and show support to others.

    Mental health describes how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day to day life. Taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health.  Mental health problems affect around 1 in 4 people*.

    How to take care of your mental health

    • Talk about your feelings – talking can help you take charge of your wellbeing
    • Keep active – regular exercise can boost your self-esteem, can help you concentrate, sleep and overall feel better
    • Eat well – a diet that is good for your physical health is also good for your mental health
    • Drink sensibly – drinking alcohol is not a good way to manage difficult feelings
    • Keep in touch – it’s good for you to catch up with friends and family face to face or over the phone
    • Ask for help – its ok not to be ok, so ask for help if you are struggling
    • Take a break – a change of scenery or pace is good for you
    • Do something you’re good at – enjoying yourself can help beat stress
    • Accept who you are – accept your uniqueness, don’t wish you were someone else
    • Care for others – supporting others uplifts you as well as them

    Worrying about money can negatively affect your mental health and for those people experiencing mental health problems it makes it harder to manage their finances. Problem debt can also be linked to suicide.

    According to Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, over 420,000 people in problem debt consider taking their own life in England every year, while more than 100,000 people in debt actually attempt suicide annually**.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433

    Police Mutual Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal
    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk/
    Username: policemutual
    Password: careline

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website www.policemutual.co.uk

    All of our Relationship Managers and Financial Wellbeing Consultants are trained Mental Health First Aiders

    *According to Mental Health First Aid Organisation
    **Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘a silent killer’ Published December 2018

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual is an incorporated friendly society Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • Sleeptember 2019

    Sleeptember 2019

    This article was published on Tue 17 Sep 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep per night to function at your best

    We spend about a third of our lives asleep. Sleep is essential – It is as important to our bodies as eating, drinking and breathing, and is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health. Sleeping helps us to recover from mental as well as physical exertion.

    Sleep and health are strongly related – poor sleep can increase the risk of having poor health, and poor health can make it harder to sleep.  Sleep disturbances can be one of the first signs of distress.

    Common mental health problems like anxiety and depression can often underpin sleep problems.

    According to The Sleep Council organisation shift work can be harmful to sleep

    Poor Sleep or lack of sleep can lead to –

    • Mood changes
    • High levels of Stress
    • High levels of anger
    • A higher tendency to take drugs and drink alcohol

    How to look after yourself when working nights

    • Manage your time correctly
    • Eat correctly
    • Prepare yourself to be in the best condition possible for your night shift

    There are four simple things to consider to help you with a period of poor sleep:

    • Health – It’s important to address any mental and physical health worries that might keep you awake.
    • Environment – Where you sleep is important. Watching TV, playing with phones or eating in bed can all affect the quality of our sleep. Temperature, noise levels and light all play a part in determining our sleep.
    • Attitude – In the time before we go to bed, we should try and wind down, be less stimulated, and relax. Try relaxation techniques, a warm bath or mindfulness practice.
    • Lifestyle – Stimulants like caffeine can make it harder to sleep, and a heavy or sugary meal close to bedtime can make sleep uncomfortable and alcohol can reduce the quality of sleep.

    Top 10 reasons to get a good night’s sleep

    • Sleep helps reduce stress
    • Sleep can improve your memory
    • Sleep can lower your blood pressure
    • Sleep can help you maintain your weight
    • Sleep puts you in a better mood
    • Sleep could reduce your chances of diabetes
    • Sleep helps keep your heart healthy
    • Sleep can be a painkiller
    • Sleep can make you smarter

    Risks of poor sleep

    • Memory issues
    • Mood changes
    • Trouble with thinking and concentration
    • Accidents – car or in the home
    • Weakened immunity
    • High blood pressure
    • Risk of diabetes
    • Weight gain
    • Risk of heart disease
    • Poor balance

    What to do if you can’t sleep

    • Try mindfulness sleep here
    • Use the Headspace App here
    • Have a look at MindFit Cop on the Oscar Kilo website here
    • Watch this Webinar here
    • Try this 4 week plan here
    • Talk to your line manager
    • Talk to your EAP provider
    Police Mutual Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including sleep problems. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –
    Health & Wellbeing e-portal
    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk/ Username: policemutual Password: careline  

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website www.policemutual.co.uk

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual is an incorporated friendly society Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September

    World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September

    This article was published on Tue 10 Sep 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable

    High financial stress and mental health are intrinsically linked.

    Worrying about money negatively affects people’s mental health and for those people experiencing mental health problems it makes it harder to manage their finances.

    It can become a vicious cycle. Research has shown that money worries don’t just affect your personal life, they can also affect your family life, health and work.

    According to a survey of 5,500 people carried out by the Money and Mental Health Organisation*

    • 46% of people in problem debt also have a mental health problem.
    • 86% of people with experience of mental health problems said that their financial situation had made their mental health problems worse.
    • Almost one in five people with mental health problems are in problem debt.
    • People experiencing mental health problems are three and a half times more likely to be in problem debt than people without mental health problems.
    • 72% said that their mental health problems had made their financial situation worse

    Many people who are experiencing high financial stress feel unable to talk openly about their situation due to feelings of shame or guilt or fears that it may impact their career.

    Problem debt can also be linked to suicide.

    According to Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

    Over 420,000 people in problem debt considered taking their own life in England last year, while more than 100,000 people in debt actually attempt suicide annually**.

    Individuals with multiple debt problems are at a ‘significantly high risk of suicide’ than those with just one problem debt.

    Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 49.

    Police Mutual are here to help. Our mission is to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197

    All of our Relationship Managers and Financial Wellbeing Consultants are trained Mental Health First Aiders

    Police Mutual Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk/

    Username: policemutual
    Password: careline

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website www.policemutual.co.uk

    * Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘Debt and Mental Health’ Published March 2019

    ** Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘a silent killer’ Published December 2018

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual is an incorporated friendly society Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

    ,

  • Top Tips for improving your financial wellbeing during scroll free September

    Top Tips for improving your financial wellbeing during scroll free September

    This article was published on Tue 10 Sep 2019. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    People spend on average 2 hours per day on social media*. You could use this time during September to take control of your finances

    • Use our budget calculator here to help you manage your money. Set yourself a daily spend limit based on how much disposable cash you have each month
    • Set up a separate bill account and transfer an amount each month to cover the cost of all your household bills
    • Check your bank balance each week so there are no nasty surprises. Consider using an app so you can see all your accounts in one place
    • Switch your current account – banks will often pay you to switch accounts use the link here for more information
    • Look at your general insurance, using the link here for Police Mutual car insurance and here for Police Mutual home insurance
    • Check your utility bills, for more information use the link here
    • Review your mortgage – for more information on the Police Mutual mortgage advice service click here

    Check your credit score using one of the various companies available online including, Experian, Equifax

    Why go #ScrollFree this September

    Social media is great at connecting people from all walks of life, but have you ever thought about how it may be having a negative impact on your life?  By going scroll free for a month, you’ll have a chance to reflect on your social media use, what you missed, what you didn’t and what you got to do and enjoy instead.

    3/4 of those who went scroll free in 2018 said it improved their mental health according to the Royal Society for Public Health

    Scroll Free September offers a unique opportunity to take a break from all personal social accounts for 30 days during September

    #ScrollFree

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website www.policemutual.co.uk

    *according to a report carried out by globalwebindex.com

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Chris Morey

  • Take the debt consolidation challenge

    Take the debt consolidation challenge

    This article was published on Mon 01 Jan 2018. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Below is our quick guide to help you understand what’s involved, including tips on how you could stop your debts from getting out of hand.

    What is debt consolidation?

    A debt consolidation loan involves taking out a single loan that rolls your existing debts into one monthly repayment, which may help you reduce your monthly outgoings. If you have more than one credit card, or several different credit agreements or loans in place, you may want to consider debt consolidation loans because…

    1) The same interest rate applies to just one debt amount. If you’re not in a 0% offer period, credit and store cards can have higher interest rates than loans, so a debt consolidation loan rate could be much lower

    2) You can choose how long to repay the loan over, to find a monthly payment that’s affordable for you. But it’s worth noting that by increasing the term you may pay more interest overall

    A debt consolidation loan – the ‘4 Cs’ to remember:

    Check your finances – list your debts. Include all your outstanding balances with the interest rates you’re currently paying, any early repayment penalties (if applicable), your monthly repayment, and the remaining term. This will help you prioritise the debts that you should be consolidating first.

    Create a budget – list your current income and all outgoings, which will allow you to get a more detailed view of your finances and to work out how much you can realistically afford to pay each month by consolidating your existing debts.

    Can you use savings? – if you have savings that could be used to reduce your debt it could be a cheaper option than taking out a loan. Check the interest rates on your savings to see if they are lower than the interest on your debts, but it’s always best to keep some savings in reserve for emergencies.

    Consider the rate – when looking for a loan to consolidate your debts with, look for a fixed rather than a variable rate, as your payments will not change throughout the term of the loan. Make sure you read the loan agreement carefully and have considered any charges that may apply if you decide to repay the loan early or arrangement fees to set the loan up.

    Remember, if you take out a personal loan, don’t borrow more than what you need, as adding more to your debt means it will take longer to pay it off and could be more expensive. Make sure to pay off your debts as soon as you’re able to.

    Police Mutual offers a personal loan calculator to help you decide if a personal loan is right for you. Just click here for more information.

    Need more help?

    Everyone’s circumstances are different. If you’re struggling with debt or worried that you may be getting into financial difficulties, you should seek confidential debt advice from one of the free services available in the market such as:

    PayPlan
    National Debt Line
    StepChange Debt Charity


    PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 1073408. Registered office Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6QS.

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    Chris Morey