People on lower incomes die a shocking ten years younger. Quids in! has launched a scheme to help level the playing field. Can boosting our cash help improve our health?

There is no getting around it: people who experience financial hardship are at higher risk of dying younger. More than 1 in 5 people in the UK live below the Minimum Income Standard meaning even more people are at risk of money related health issues. 

It can be hard to open up about our mental health struggles and just as hard to talk about our finances. But we aren’t alone. Our Quids in! Cost of Living Survey revealed 73% of social renters on the lowest incomes had felt frightened, anxious or depressed with 36% becoming physically ill as a result. 

With so many people experiencing hardship, it’s important we use our voice to get the help we deserve. But it isn’t always easy…

Meet Mark

Mark, one of the participants in Clean Slate’s 7 Signs programme, opened up about the challenges of asking for help.  Things started to get tough for Mark back in 2001. He was working in digital marketing when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

“I’ve always felt it,” he says, “I’ve always found it difficult to ask for help.”

“I was still sort of psychologically recovering from the cancer diagnosis and treatment,” Mark continues, “So it all kind of piled on and that’s how I came to the decision to leave my job.” 

Mark was living on a bit of savings and support from his fiancé to help him cover his bills, but was getting no luck with his job search. His mental health was suffering as a result. 

Help is on the way

Quids in! wants to reach more people like Mark not only to help find work and manage finances, but also to improve confidence and overall wellbeing. 

Back in February, Quids in! launched a pilot programme with Thrive LDN, the city’s public mental health partnership, to help residents of Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark whose health has been impacted by the pressures of living costs. A Quids in! coach will guide residents over the phone and create an unique action plan followed by coaching sessions. Residents can use this referral link to access the service. 

Not a resident of these boroughs? Not a problem. Quids in! and Clean Slate offer a range of online, one-to-one, and group services across the UK. To find a nearby guidance service or to ask any questions, click here.

Jeff Mitchell, managing director at Quids in!, run by Clean Slate, says  “When every waking thought is about keeping the children fed, it’s hard for people to think enough about their health. Quids in! coaches give people a moment to pause, take stock, explore their options, and shore up their finances. Once they have their heads above water financially, they both have the means and confidence to focus on getting well.”

Bite the bullet

Fast forward to the start of this year, and Mark found himself on a two-day 7 Signs course in Bristol after seeking help from his local authority. 

“It was exactly the right place for me to be,” he says. When speaking about the coaches, Mark can’t sing their praises enough. “They’ve been absolutely brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.” Just over a couple months after completing the programme,  Mark landed himself a job working in digital marketing. 

His advice to people who may be resistant to asking for help? “Just bite the bullet. You’re not going to make yourself sound foolish or silly by asking for help at all. It’s the best thing anybody can do. If you’re struggling, ask for help. It certainly changed my life.”

Image: Hitdelight / Shutterstock