Impact of your donations
Your support helps fund our vital work to tackle the causes of financial insecurity. Read how we are investing in local projects, tools, campaigns and events to help stamp out UK poverty.
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Thriving Futures Fund: Empowering communities through trust and long-term support
At Turn2us Edinburgh Trust, we know that everyone’s path to thriving is different. That’s why we created the Thriving Futures Fund - to provide long-term support that helps communities build a more secure future in a way that works for them.
By prioritising trust, flexibility, and the invaluable insights of local organisations, this fund offers a transformative approach to grant-making.
What is the Thriving Futures Fund?
Unlike traditional short-term funding, the Thriving Futures Fund (TFF) will offer support to communities in Edinburgh for a nine-year period.
Instead of following old models of rigid and restrictive funds, it offers partner organisations the freedom to choose how to address their communities’ unique needs.
The fund will provide up to £50,000 annually to each of the four delivery partner organisations to distribute in grants to people in their communities. Whether it’s improving access to essential services, supporting education, or fostering social connections, this fund empowers local leaders to direct resources where they are needed most.
TFF funding, like everything new, can be overwhelming, exciting, and challenging. We learn about our clients, our relationship with the community, and ourselves. One of my clients said, ‘I feel like I’m allowed to open doors that were previously closed—doors to learning and mental health recovery. One day, I hope to help women in similar circumstances.
This has totally changed my mindset. I feel so motivated knowing I can do this for my kids.I’ve worked so hard to get here. Together we can make real change.
Breaking barriers, building trust
What sets the Thriving Futures Fund apart is its emphasis on trust and relationship-building. Free from rigid reporting structures, the fund allows organisations to focus on creating genuine impact without the burden of bureaucracy.
As one delivery partner shared: “It’s rare in health and social care to give positive news without barriers and red tape. It’s been rewarding to help people finally pursue their goals with so little standing in the way.
A vision for thriving communities
By trusting local organisations to lead the way, the Thriving Futures Fund demonstrates that the most effective solutions come from within communities themselves. It’s a model that doesn’t just support survival but enables genuine prosperity and long-term transformation.
Local solutions, lasting impact: Our Care Programme in Manchester
In the Aquarius housing estate in Hulme, Manchester, local people are transforming their community. Through collaboration with Turn2us, tenant-led groups, CLASS (Community Led Action and Savings Support), Community Savers, and organisations like Manchester City Council and Adult Social Care, residents are creating a stronger, more connected neighbourhood.
The power of social connections
Our co-produced research shows that mental health, physical health, and isolation are closely linked to financial security. When people are supported holistically - through better quality care, stronger neighbourly networks, and access to vital services - they’re better protected from financial insecurity.
These learnings drive our future work in Greater Manchester. Our Care Programme focuses on the cost of care, ensuring that people with social care needs in Hulme have the support they need to live securely and independently.
A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)
The Aquarius estate is home to Hopton and Meredith Court, housing blocks that form the heart of an innovative Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC).
Here, older residents work together to define what they need to live well and with dignity in the place they call home. With input from local GPs, charities, housing providers, and universities, the initiative breaks down barriers to accessing benefits and social care support.
Through Turn2us supporting residents to co-produce the research in Meredith Court, more residents are now involved in this exciting wider partnership.
Building for the future
For the past 12 months, Turn2us has funded a part-time development worker through our partner CLASS (Community Led Action and Savings Support).
This role has already strengthened relationships and encouraged greater participation in the NORC initiative. Turn2us will continue to deepen its commitment to the Aquarius estate by supporting two new roles in the coming months.
By saving small amounts together, we build trust, financial resilience, mutual aid, and confidence.
Looking ahead, we plan to:
- Increase funding and frontline support for the NORC initiative.
- Help tenants maximise their income by increasing access to our tools such as the Benefits Calculator.
- Ensure lasting financial security and well-being for people in Hopton and Meredith Court who struggle with the cost of care.
From the strength of tenant-led savers’ groups to the innovative NORC model, this work in Hulme shows how hyperlocal, co-produced approaches can make a lasting difference.
Turn2us PIP Helper: Empowering people to navigate the PIP process
The Turn2us PIP Helper is an accessible, online information tool designed to help people manage the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) process, was fully launched on 14th November. Developed in collaboration with people who have applied for PIP and health charities such as Disability Rights UK and Mind, the tool offers tailored support for every stage of the application.
The Turn2us PIP Helper tool provides information on your rights, estimates potential PIP awards, offers personalised tips for filling out forms, and connects users to further support based on their award. Each stage is accompanied by mental health support signposting, prioritising user wellbeing.
Reaching people in need
Since the tool went live, more than 350,000 people have visited Turn2us PIP Helper. A quarter of them have used the tool’s interactive features, and nearly 9,000 have created individual accounts to track their progress and use checklists.
If you know someone who might benefit from this tool, please share this article with them.
Collaborating for greater impact
To ensure the PIP Helper reaches those who need it most, Turn2us is working with a wide range of partners, including MAPS (Money and Pensions Advice Service), StepChange, Christians Against Poverty, Scope, Citizens Advice, Age UK, and Mind.
These collaborations help extend the tool’s reach to diverse communities, including single parents, older people, and those experiencing mental health challenges or financial insecurity.
Highlights of partner activity:
- Mind: Promoting PIP Helper in peer-to-peer spaces like Side by Side.
- Help through Hardship: Using PIP Helper to support callers on their helpline.
- Webinars and demos: Introducing the tool to groups like Cardiomyopathy UK, Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Lambeth Sanctuary Services.
"A webinar about Turn2us tools is something we will definitely do again as there’s a big appetite for this amongst our community,” said Rebecca Stern at Cardiomyopathy UK.
A helping hand through the process
By working together, we’re making the PIP process more accessible and connecting more people to the resources they need at the right time.
Do you know an organisation working with people who could benefit from using the PIP Helper? Get in touch at turn2uspiphelper@turn2us.org.uk to learn more
Our service users have struggled with PIP applications they are legitimately entitled to. The complexity of the forms and the fear of rejection have discouraged many from applying or seeking reconsideration. Turn2us has created a tool that provides much-needed guidance through this daunting process. While our organisation can’t offer one-to-one support, we confidently signpost our service users to Turn2us, knowing it offers thoughtful advice at each stage. Thank you for empowering vulnerable people to access the support they deserve.
Create a future free from worry by leaving a gift in your will
Living in financial insecurity means worrying, all the time. It means worrying about what’s coming next – and whether you’ll be able to afford it.
Will you help create a future that's free of worry, with a gift in your will? For more information contact legacy@turn2us.org.uk or see how you could write your will for free.
We’re planting Seeds of Security together this spring
Introducing Seeds of Security, our new spring campaign! This campaign is about helping individuals and families take root in stability and blossom toward brighter futures. Your support this spring provides essential resources like grants, financial tools, and guidance that empower people to overcome financial insecurity and thrive.
But what is financial insecurity? The flower here represents the building blocks of financial security, as outlined in our five-year strategy. At its core is stability, which blossoms through access to meaningful work, mental and physical wellbeing, affordable services, and safe housing, among other essentials. Together, these create a future where everyone can grow and flourish without the burden of financial instability.
This spring, we’re sowing the seeds of change. By supporting this campaign, you are helping us tackle the root causes of financial insecurity, raise awareness, and deliver life-changing support to those in need.
Turn2us impact 2023-24 – our annual report summary
Your support has made a huge difference! Here’s a snapshot of what we achieved together in the 2023-24 financial year. For the full picture, read our Annual Report.
- Last year we made grants of nearly £3.3 million, ranging from £500-£2,500 in amounts, supporting 2,277 people across the UK.
- Our online Grants Search was used more than 950,000 times, helping people find extra money to give them vital breathing space. These grants don’t impact benefits and don’t need to be paid back
- People completed over 2.5 million calculations using the free Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
- 1.6 million Benefits Calculator users found new benefits to apply for.
- 5.8 million people used our website looking for information to help them claim the support they’re entitled to.
Community news
Is 2025 the year you learn to fly?
Change lives with a flight through the skies this May! Sign up to our
fundraising skydive and join Sonia, who works for our care homes partner, Elizabeth Finn Homes.
“My stomach is doing somersaults at the thought of jumping out of a plane, but wow what an incredible experience it will be for such a worthy cause."
Celebrating Go Orange 2024: Fundraising highlights
A huge thank you to everyone - and all of our Elizabeth Finn Homes - who took part in our Go Orange fundraiser during Challenge Poverty Week in October! Our brilliant Go Orangers dined on orange themed menus, created beautiful orange art and crafts and shone bright in orange outfits – even taking the plunge and dyeing their hair!
Together, we raised the brilliant sum of £2,246.58 to support those of us experiencing financial insecurity. Thank you for your hard work and generosity – we can’t wait to see what you do next year.
Turn2us runners step up to the challenge!
A massive congratulations to our runners taking on some incredible challenges this year and raising funds for those of us struggling to afford the basics in the UK.
Our brave team are taking on the Brighton Marathon, Hackney Half Marathon and the world famous London Marathon! A huge thank you to everyone on our team – you are helping people to afford the essentials and thrive into the future this new year.
Find your next adventure here.
Charity match raises £2,525
A massive thank you to @WeCanChangeMore - a group of friends who organised a charity football match to support Turn2us.
The match raised an incredible £2,525! This fantastic amount will have a huge impact, thank you.
Feeling inspired to organise your own community fundraiser?
Dates for your diary
Sporting challenges!
We’re excited to cheer on all our amazing participants taking part in upcoming sporting challenges!
The Brighton Marathon kicks things off on 06 April followed by the iconic London Marathon (27 April).
Looking ahead to May, we have the Turn2us Skydive Day (4 May) and the Hackney Half Marathon (18 May).
We have hundreds of events available if you’re looking for a challenge this year!
May - Founders Day
Did you know? Our charity was established by Elizabeth Finn in May 1897. In May, we’ll be celebrating Founders Day across all Elizabeth Finn Care Homes, honouring our founder, Elizabeth Finn, and her enduring legacy of supporting those in need since 1897
October - Challenge Poverty Week
Challenge Poverty Week in October is an annual campaign to raise awareness about poverty, build support for solutions, and challenge the stigma of living on a low income in the UK.
At Turn2us, we’re asking you to get bright and fight financial insecurity in October with Go Orange for Turn2us. How you Go Orange is up to you! Wear orange and donate, hold an orange-themed baked sale, get sponsored to dye your hair orange, or turn your social media orange with our message to raise awareness.
Let’s shine bright in support of people at risk of being swept into poverty.
We’re Transforming the Turn2us Helpline
We’re reimagining the Turn2us Helpline to ensure even more people experiencing financial insecurity can access the support they need.
After a year-long review, we found that most people now use our website to find information, with 6.2 million users accessing our digital tools last year. To help even more people, we’re investing in our digital services and partnering with organisations that specialise in live telephone support for those without internet access.
These changes mean that more people will be connected to tailored support faster and more effectively. The helpline will remain in its current form until November 2025, ensuring a smooth transition and continued support for digitally excluded people.
We’re excited about the potential for these changes to deliver greater impact and value for those in need. Stay tuned for updates as we roll out this new model, designed to help more people thrive.
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