Welcome to 2013 and a new look to start an exciting New Year for your Charity.

So, what’s coming up? Building on our grant giving, we’re adding resources, tools and support to our website and services.

Carer’s Passport, Health on Your Mind and Money Advice services are running successfully alongside our applications for financial help. Now we’re developing our advice team and enquiry process to respond to the range of health, wellbeing and money issues that often accompany the need for financial assistance.

We’re working with trusted partners to find positive solutions for people when they most need our help and to ensure that we can offer support in the most effective ways, whether online, by email, on the phone, by post, or face to face.

As people tell us, it’s about more than the money; it’s about helping them to move on in their lives.

And with your help this year we can help more people than ever.

Best wishes Flavia Gapper Operations Manager

Coming up in 2013

visit www.foryoubyyou.org.ukFreephone 0800 056 2424

Company limited by guarantee No. 7286399 Charity registered in England and Wales No. 1136870 Charity registered in Scotland No. SC041956

NewsIssue 1: Winter 2012/13

We’re all looking forward to more change this year! Last year saw the radical change from Civil Service Benevolent Fund to our new brand. The new look has been widely welcomed, as has our strap-line For You, By You, symbolising the core of our Charity – civil servants present, former and retired, contributing generously to help those in the Civil Service community in need.

But the other big change is making sure our services meet the needs of today, needs which are not just about money. Caring for others, stress or mental illness, bereavement, long term illness, relationship breakdown or domestic abuse: we know these and other things are often the cause of money problems, and we’re making sure our Charity offers the best help possible.

Our thanks to you, our supporters and volunteers, for making this possible.

Domestic Abuse ChannelWe’ve developed an information channel designed to provide information, support and advice to anyone suffering from domestic abuse.

Money Advice ServiceDesigned to ensure anyone who comes to us with a money query leaves us with a better understanding of how their personal finances can work more efficiently.

British 10kWe’ve managed to secure several places for anyone who fancies a challenge this year at the London British 10k! See back page for further details.

Merrick WillisChief Executive

The Walking Challenge is back! And this year it’s bigger and better than ever!If you want to compete against your colleagues, get in shape for the summer or simply get more fresh air, why not accept our challenge to walk 10,000 steps a day?

Every step you take will support colleagues like Lindy who had to flee her violent husband in fear for her life and later told us: “You were all amazing; at such a low time you reacted so quickly - the Charity saved my life...I was so desperate and I can’t thank you enough..”

So dust off your trainers, limber up and get ready to join us - this year’s challenge runs from May 20th to July 8th - it’s the perfect way to support us and walk your way to a new healthier you at the same time!

We can guarantee you’ll feel better for striding out - last year 1200 participants took part from 36 departments and during the 50 day challenge, collectively an amazing 135,327 miles were walked, raising over £26,000!

As well as raising lots of money, our band of walkers had 41% more energy, 39% less stress, 35% lost weight and 29% were more toned. Why not join us this year and get a spring in your step for 2013?

See our website for further details or contact the team on 020 8240 2442/2448

Domestic Abuse

When Lindy’s abusive partner attacked her with a hockey stick she was forced to flee her home leaving all her possessions behind...

One in 4 women, and one in 6 men, are the victims of domestic abuse at some point in their lives. It can happen to anyone and takes many forms. We’ve recently developed an information channel designed to provide information, support and advice to anyone suffering from domestic abuse. It’s also a useful resource for anyone worried that someone they know may be a victim.

The channel offers useful information on the types of domestic abuse, how to get help in an emergency and practical help to keep you safe. As well as phone numbers and website addresses for organisations who may be able to offer instant support, it provides advice on how to seek legal redress against the person who has been harming you.

Lindy’s trauma was made all the more severe when, after the council stepped in to help, she discovered her ex had destroyed everything, including her car. The Charity was able to help by providing the basics she needed to

start afresh in her new home. She told us: “You were all amazing; at such a low time you reacted so quickly - the Charity saved my life. I was so desperate, I can’t thank you enough.”

If you would like to see the domestic abuse channel promoted on your intranet or in your staff bulletin, please contact: annette.hooper@foryoubyyou.org.uk

We say:“The tone and style of the channel is a major departure for the Charity – it confronts this difficult issue head-on and offers useful resources into the types of domestic abuse, how to get help in an emergency and practical help to keep your colleagues, or someone close to them, safe. It contains powerful imagery and video sourced from NHS Choices as well as links to a number of “partner charities”.

2012 Winning Team for Highest Step Count -

MoD’s ‘Making Tracks’

What do you think? Email us at:

comments@foryoubyyou.org.uk

“...I didn’t know where else to turn. It took a lot to pluck up the courage to ask for help and the process was so easy...”

Here’s something new; the first ever Spring Prize Draw! So many of you took part in our Grand Draw that we’ve decided to run another one this spring. We’ll be confirming actual dates shortly but in April you’ll have the opportunity to banish the winter blues by winning one of 8 fantastic cash prizes!

Tickets costs just £1 and whether you want to buy just one ticket, two books, or even help fundraise by selling tickets to your colleagues, neighbours and friends - every single pound will help us to continue our work.

In November 2012, our Grand Draw winner Funmi Sadipe was delighted to win £2000 and told us: “Wow! Everyone in the office turned round, they were so excited. It was a bit of shock and I was very grateful - it was a prayer answered.” A huge thank you to Civil Service Insurance Society who sponsored the draw. CEO Kevin Holliday, pictured right, picked last year’s winning ticket.

If you’d like to enter the Spring Draw please call:

020 8240 2442/2444 or email fun@foryoubyyou.org.uk

Spring Draw

In April 2013 the Charity will be introducing a new money information and debt advice service which we hope will ensure anyone who comes to us with a money query leaves us with a better understanding of how their personal finances can work and the best avenues to approach for help.

Our information and referral channel will offer helpful

information on budgeting, borrowing and debt as well as tips on how to plan for the future. It will also point users in the direction of trusted partners who can offer practical support.

Keep an eye on our website www.foryoubyyou.org.uk/helping-you for details of this exciting new development.

Money Advice

1st Prize: £2,000 2nd Prize: £1,000

3rd Prize: £500 Runners up: 5 x £100

Did you know?

Last year our helpline took over 8000 calls.

Recent Which? research found just under 50% of people used credit cards, overdrafts, store cards or payday loans to cover their 2012 Christmas spending, while over a third dipped into their savings.

The news that millions of people are drastically cutting back on Christmas spending or are taking out loans to cover Christmas costs shows just how squeezed household budgets are right now.

With energy and food costs continuing to rise, the Which survey found that more than half of people are expecting their household budgets to be even tighter this year.

visit www.foryoubyyou.org.uk

Just under 90 volunteers attended the days in Bristol, Glasgow, Birmingham and London, taking part in group exercises and evaluating their skills for roles covering emergency intervention, application assessment, workplace advice surgeries, carers support, mental health issues and money management.

We hope all our new volunteer roles will be firmly established by May, and training and guidance will continue throughout the year.

It’s an exciting time for the Charity and our commitment to volunteers will be integral to our ability to help clients access our services effectively. For our volunteers too, the opportunity to learn new skills and ways of helping people will be equally as exciting.

Over the next few months, we’ll also be announcing four new fundraising and campaigning volunteer roles. If you’re interested in becoming involved or simply want to know more, please contact the volunteer team directly by email : VolunteerSupportTeam@ foryoubyyou.org.uk

Thanks to the hundreds of you who responded so generously to our Christmas appeal - we raised over £5,000 which is helping us to make a real difference to the lives of people like Teresa and her son Zachariah, who is now able to communicate properly with his family and friends at school using an iPad with sensory apps.

If you’d like to make a donation online you can do so via our website. Alternatively if you’d like further information on how to support us please call us on 020 8240 2451; or if you’d like your office to receive a visit from one of our team who can tell you more about our work and how you can support us, please contact helen.vincent@foryoubyyou.org.uk

If you’re thinking of writing a will, you may find our Legacies booklet helpful. It contains useful guidance and advice on what you’ll need to consider for yourself as well as your family.

“Arranging ‘campaigns’ in big government departments can be daunting because it involves quite a lot of negotiation, but it’s always rewarding to see the team swinging into action to help people where they work. The idea is to get in front of as many people as possible to offer help and to see if they’d like to support us. Last year we aimed for 8 campaigns and eventually delivered 27 all over the country. The visits are a good way of generating support and now about one third of our income comes through our campaigns. It’s also important to remember, these visits aren’t just about the support you give us, but are also about the life changing help we’re able to give you, your colleagues and your dependants as a result.

Look out, we’ll be visiting a site near you soon!”

Volunteer RestructureThere’s lots of change in the organisation as you’ll see from the newsletter. Earlier this month volunteers from across the country were invited to find out more about our six new For You volunteer roles as part of the Client Services restructure.

Supporter Care Update

Natalie MayoRelationship Development Manager is our ‘organiser

extraordinaire’

“My husband and myself were bowled over by your generosity and help in these trying times for us. It really has made a difference and we can’t thank you enough..”

I come into the event after staff have heard about what we do, to talk to those people who need our help straight away. I rarely know beforehand the types of questions people will ask me, so these sessions are really varied and interesting.

Some people need advice, some want to know more about local services and some people’s difficulties are too complex to deal with there and then. When that happens I arrange to spend a lot more time with them later on. I might also meet someone who’s facing a real

crisis or emergency in which case I can arrange an immediate payment to help them.

Our sessions get pretty busy – on one occasion more than 8 people needed assistance and one of our volunteers came to help me. She loved it and said she’d seen more and learned more in one day than she had for months.

It’s usually quite fast paced but very rewarding – you get the satisfaction of giving advice there and then and can see positive results straight away.

A day in the life of...Carol Moir Area Services Manager

“I love my job!”

Preparation for a visit usually starts the day before, especially if I am travelling out of my region. I always try to personalise my presentation because it’s always more interesting if I can talk about people we’ve helped who work in the same department.

I travelled to an HMRC Liverpool contact centre recently with my colleague Liz. The main purpose of our visit was to ensure all HMRC staff are aware of the help and support we provide to them as their in-house charity. People aren’t always

aware of what we do – or that we’re here to help them and their financial dependants.

At HMRC we gave 15 minute informal presentations to a total of 333 members of staff. This was done in teams of 10 people in their work areas, which we find is the most effective way of explaining what we do. The great news is that 122 HMRC employees generously decided to give the Charity a monthly contribution from their salary – this is fantastic, and many thanks to all of you for your support. And I’m also extremely pleased that the visit encouraged four people to come forward to seek our help on the day.

A day in the life of...

Tricia Boyle Area Development Manager

Were you there?January 2013 Presentations at Department of Health London, HMRC in Liverpool.Presentations to 1400 members of staff. 30 of you asked us for help; and huge thanks go to the 500 of you who pledged to support us via donations from your salary.

If you’d like more information about where we’re visiting please contact helen.vincent@foryoubyyou.org.uk or call her on 0131 220 2724

STOP PRESS.... Charity Abseil...

Calling all daredevils! On 22 June 2013 we’ll be abseiling down 11 storeys at

The Royal Courts of Justice building in the City of London – and we’d love you

to join us!

The registration fee is £15 and we’re asking you to raise a minimum

sponsorship of £100. Call us on 020 8240 2442/2448 for

further details or email fun@foryoubyyou.org.uk

visit www.foryoubyyou.org.uk

Huge thanks to all our fundraisers and supporters who gave their time and money throughout 2012 - because

of your generosity we were able to help over 7,300 people with advice, referral or financial assistance.

visit www.foryoubyyou.org.ukFreephone 0800 056 2424

Company limited by guarantee No. 7286399 Charity registered in England and Wales No. 1136870 Charity registered in Scotland No. SC041956

The British 10k London Run is staged on the world’s greatest road race route through the heart of central London. The 2013 run takes place on Sunday 14th July and is set to attract over 25,000 entrants.

We’ve managed to secure several places for anyone who fancies a challenge this year! The 10k route takes you through the heart of the capital, starting in Hyde Park

and finishing at the Cenotaph on Whitehall – passing many of the capital’s most historic landmarks enroute.

For further information on how to guarantee your place call 020 8240 2442/2448 or email fun@foryoubyyou.org.uk

British 10K

“I’m overwhelmed by the help I got from the Charity - having people

who owed me nothing bending over backwards to help me really

restored my faith in human nature.”John, DWP

The money raised will be used where it is needed most - to help people struggling to cope with illness,

bereavement and other misfortunes.

If you’re interested in fundraising on our behalf and would like further details please

contact: 020 8240 2442/2448 or email us at: fun@foryoubyyou.org.uk

In October you pulled out all the stops and raised over £20,000 during ‘Fun Week’ In fact, throughout 2012 hundreds of you took part in raffles, book events and recycling initiatives - and your combined grand total for the year

was a whopping £103,000!