Quids in! hosts webinar uncovering who’s hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis and the difference money coaching and housing support can make
The Quids in! Professional Network brought together housing, employment and financial support providers for its ‘Big Reveal’ webinar on 30 April. The webinar shared findings from the latest Quids in! Cost of Living Survey, which included feedback from over 800 verified social tenants. Speakers highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on tenants and emphasized the need for a joined-up response as government welfare reforms take shape.
Survey Insights: Who’s Struggling Most
The survey found that working-age people unable to work due to illness, disability or caring responsibilities are among the hardest hit. This group is twice as likely to fall behind on bills, skip meals and suffer worse health outcomes. They also scored lower across key financial resilience measures, such as budgeting, saving and planning ahead.
Click below to download our two-page snapshot of the survey results.
A Money-First Approach to Building Financial Resilience
Jeff Mitchell, founder of Clean Slate Training & Employment and Quids in!, stressed that the government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ agenda must be matched with evolving support systems. “We take a money-first approach,” he said. “It begins with a Money Health Check and personalised money coaching, plus paid placements where funding allows. Our greatest successes have been with people who initially thought they couldn’t work at all.”
Complementing this hands-on support, Clean Slate also provides ongoing financial guidance through the Quids in! Readers Club, a monthly newsletter filled with articles, resources, and actionable advice for people on low incomes.
Jeff was joined by Madeleine Caravaggio, Communications Lead at Clean Slate, who shared survey data demonstrating the newsletter’s impact. Madeleine revealed Readers Club subscribers scored higher than non-readers on 17 of 20 financial resilience measures, reporting greater confidence, fewer money worries, and improved money management.
Housing as a key partner
Guest speaker Lynsey Sweeny, Managing Director at Communities that Work, highlighted the vital role housing providers play alongside sharing accessible information. She introduced their Job Plus programme, a DWP-funded local employment program designed to increase people’s job readiness by providing front-foot support directly within communities.
Lynsey stressed the importance of building trust and providing ongoing support throughout the journey, urging housing providers to adopt this hands-on approach to tackle unemployment and financial exclusion.
To watch the full webinar, click here.
What’s next: coordinated support to meet complex needs
The webinar made it clear that tackling financial resilience and employment barriers for vulnerable tenants requires a coordinated effort, combining landlords, community organisations, in-person services, online support, and accessible digital resources. To respond to these challenges, Clean Slate is rolling out a range of initiatives designed to reach tenants where they are and offer practical help:
- A free Universal Credit webinar (in partnership with Money Guiders Wales Network) to support people moving from ESA to UC, many of whom have disabilities or long-term health conditions
- A two-half day UC training course for non-financial advisers helping tenants navigate the welfare changes
- The soon-to-be-launched Jobseekers Guide, designed to provide clear, step-by-step advice for people seeking work under the new system
- Joining WorkWell West as a key delivery partner, embedding money guidance into local employment support for those out of work
Alongside these, we continue to promote our monthly Readers Club newsletter, which 95% of subscribers find useful for managing their money. We’re keen to expand partnerships with housing providers to increase access to this trusted resource.
To find out more, please contact [email protected] or call 07548 627303.
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