Sandwell 'Worrying about money?' leaflet launch and Money Counts training

IFAN, Black Country Foodbank and Sandwell Council

Promoting a cash first approach to food insecurity

<a href="https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/sandwell" title="https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/sandwell" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sandwell's 'Worrying about money?' leaflet</a> is a straightforward step-by-step guide for people facing money worries as well as support workers and volunteers. Co-produced by Sandwell Council, the Black Country Foodbank, and the Independent Food Aid Network alongside multiple local partners, the new resource, and its interactive version, will help people across Sandwell to quickly identify cash first or income-focused support options across their area as well as which local agencies are best placed to help.Do join us online on Thursday the 20th of November from 11am to 12 midday to hear more about Sandwell's new guide and ways it can help people to access the support they need to maximise their income and avoid ending up at crisis point. The Sandwell 'Worrying about money?' leaflet will be available to distribute from the beginning of December 2025 alongside an interactive version of the resource.Speakers at our joint event will include: Jen Coleman, CEO of the Black Country Foodbank, Samantha Creary, Operations Manager of Sandwell Council's Welfare Rights Income and Money Advice Services, and Michelle Smitten, Citizens Advice Sandwell and Walsall.We will hear about the origins of the leaflet, the importance of taking a 'cash first' or income-focused approach to food insecurity at a local level, and how this resource can make a real difference to Sandwell and its residents.During the second half of the event we will run a Money Counts training session designed for frontline staff and volunteers in Sandwell who may have brief conversations with people about their money worries or financial struggles as part of their work.After the session attendees will:<ul><li>be fully aware of Sandwell's available cash first or income-focused support options</li><li>feel confident about using Sandwell's 'Worrying about money?' leaflet to potentially discuss money worries and guide people to appropriate support as needed</li></ul>This session will be delivered online. Once signed up, attendees will receive a Zoom link ahead of the event.The <a href="https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk" title="https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Black Country Foodbank</a>, <a href="https://www.sandwell.gov.uk" title="https://www.sandwell.gov.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council</a>, and the <a href="https://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk" title="https://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN)</a> have worked together alongside multiple local partners to co-develop the Sandwell 'Worrying about money?' leaflet, to organise this event, and to disseminate this invaluable resource across Sandwell.You can find out more about<a href="https://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk/cash-first-leaflets" title="https://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk/cash-first-leaflets" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> IFAN's 'Worrying About Money?' resources </a>now available in over 135 local authorities and you can<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJMmEnG76wVsPv3AFpVFNzhMcThsQFm1EK77Kr4QOS7WMJgQ/viewform" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJMmEnG76wVsPv3AFpVFNzhMcThsQFm1EK77Kr4QOS7WMJgQ/viewform" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> order free copies</a> of the Sandwell 'Worrying about money? leaflet.If you have any questions please contact IFAN at admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.