Christmas Hours

Check when Council Services will be closing over this Christmas period.

Christmas hours

Lifestyle

1. Financial Wellbeing

Financial wellbeing is about feeling secure and in control. Being able to make the most of your money, dealing with the unexpected and having a healthy financial future. When you have financial wellbeing, you are less stressed about money which will have positive effects on your health, relationships and work. Many of us experience difficulties in managing money so you do not need to struggle alone.

Take a look at the support that is available to help you improve your financial wellbeing.

Employee Assistance Programme

Our Employee Assistance Programme, PAM Assist, offers support and information on managing your finances.

If your financial wellbeing is impacting your mental health, you can also contact their 24/7 helpline and access their confidential counselling support.

More information on our Employee Assistance Programme [link to EAP webpage]

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper provide free and impartial guidance about money and pensions. They can provide support on a range of topics including budgeting, debt, planning for retirement, using credit wisely and saving regularly.

Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government - MoneyHelper website

Benefits

You may be entitled to benefits that you don’t know about. The Welfare Rights Team can help advise you on the benefits you may be entitled to and can support you if you would like to challenge a benefit decision.

The Welfare Rights Team

You can also use a range of benefit calculators to find out what you could be entitled to.

Benefit calculators - GOV.UK website

Pensions

Part of financial wellbeing is planning for your future, so it is important to consider what steps you can take to improve your pension pot for when you are able to retire.

As a member of staff at Oldham Council you are automatically enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme and you have access to the valuable benefit, Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme, which allows you to top up your pension. Use the links below to find out more.

Foodbank

Oldham Foodbank provides support if you are struggling to put food on the table. They work with a range of organisations around the borough to identify the most appropriate support, issue foodbank vouchers and provide long-term support if needed.

If you need support you can call:

  • Crisis Hub – Oldham Council helpline on 0161 770 7007 (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm)
  • Citizens Advice on 0808 278 7803 (Mon-Fri, 8.30-5.30pm)

If you live outside of the Oldham borough, you can find your local foodbank:

You can find more information about the support available here:

Citizens Advice

We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. Citizens Advice believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. They can provide advice on a range of topics from benefits, housing, debt and much more.

You can find lots of information on their website or you contact them at your local Citizens Advice, online or by phone.

Vivup staff benefits

Vivup, our staff benefits platform, gives you access to a huge range of savings and discounts for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, travel and more. It also includes salary sacrifice options. To access the platform you can either use your work or personal email address.

You can find more about our staff benefits offer from organisational Development who will be able to send you the information published on the intranet by emailing: 

Oldham Credit Union

Oldham Credit Union (OCU) is a financial service provider for anyone who lives or works in the Borough of Oldham, providing access to affordable loans and instant access savings accounts.

You can find information on the following support you may be entitled to:

* available at all local authorities, check your council website for details