Latest news with #CommunityFuelGuidanceTeam
Western Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire FRAME: Link between money and mental health
Frank Farrer, who works as part of the Community Fuel Guidance Team at Pembrokeshire FRAME, has highlighted the connection between financial struggles and mental health issues. His comments come during Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 12 to May 18. The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) conducted research in 2022, which found that three-quarters (74 per cent) of people with mental health issues struggle to keep up with bills and payments. The research also revealed that 91 per cent of people with mental health problems avoid talking about money. Mr Farrer said: "There's a massive link between money and mental health. "When you're financially stressed you might not sleep, which makes it even harder to think straight, make decisions, or even feel confident enough to ask for help." Mr Farrer supports people across the county who are experiencing fuel poverty, helping them make sense of their energy bills, benefit entitlements, or budgeting. He is part of the Money Guiders Service, a self-development programme by MaPS, which aims to help those who give money guidance to deliver support confidently and effectively. He shared an example of a woman who was overwhelmed by a form for Adult Disability Payment. Mr Farrer said: "She was completely overwhelmed and couldn't even look at it properly, all she could do was fill in her name and address. "But when we sat with her and broke it down step-by-step, it became manageable. "That's the kind of support that helps ease anxiety around money." The theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by The Mental Health Foundation, is 'Community'. Mr Farrer said: "Community is everything. "Being part of a community means you're visible, trusted and approachable. "When we attend local events, we're not showing up in suits with clipboards—we're there to chat, to listen." He added that meeting people face-to-face in informal settings like cafes or events helps people feel comfortable to open up about money. Liz Clarke, chair at Pembrokeshire FRAME, said: "Pembrokeshire FRAME are incredibly proud of Frank and Sue in the Community Fuel Guidance Team. "They are ideally suited to this project, bringing a positive and understanding approach to people with diverse financial challenges. "In the last 12 months, they have given guidance to 2,065 families. "We are tremendously grateful to Wales and West Utilities for continuing to fund this work which has helped so many people in our community, making a difference by making savings." For anyone struggling with money, Mr Farrer recommends visiting MoneyHelper for free and impartial government-backed guidance and tools to help manage finances.
Pembrokeshire Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
VE Day remembered at Tenby Golf Club with charity ‘Allied Fours' tournament
Mental Health Awareness Week highlights vital community support A PEMBROKESHIRE money adviser is urging people to talk about money worries this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12–18), as new data reveals three-quarters of those facing mental health challenges also struggle to manage bills and payments. Frank Farrer, a money practitioner at Pembrokeshire FRAME, works with people across the county who are struggling with debt, fuel poverty and the rising cost of living. He says financial stress and mental health go hand in hand—and that local, face-to-face support can make all the difference. 'There's a massive link between money and mental health,' Frank explained. 'When you're financially stressed, you might not sleep. That makes it even harder to think straight, make decisions or even feel confident enough to ask for help.' He recalled one woman who was so overwhelmed by an Adult Disability Payment form she couldn't even bring herself to look at it properly. 'All she could do was write her name and address. But when we broke it down together, step-by-step, it became manageable. That's the kind of support that helps ease anxiety around money.' Frank is part of the Community Fuel Guidance Team, supported by Wales and West Utilities and operating from Pembrokeshire FRAME. In the last year alone, the team has supported over 2,000 local families. Liz Clarke, Chair of Pembrokeshire FRAME, said: 'We're incredibly proud of Frank and Sue and the work they're doing. They bring real empathy and understanding to what can be a very difficult topic. Their support is making a genuine difference to families across the county.' This year's Mental Health Awareness Week is themed around 'Community', and Frank believes that's key to helping people open up. 'Being part of a community means you're visible, trusted and approachable,' he said. 'When we attend local events, we're not there in suits with clipboards—we're there to chat, to listen. We might sit down with someone over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. That informal approach helps people relax and feel safe enough to talk.' According to the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), 74% of people with a mental health issue struggle to keep up with bills and payments, and 91% avoid talking about money at all. Frank is a member of the MaPS-backed Money Guiders network, which provides self-development and training for those offering financial guidance in their communities. Anyone worried about money can visit MoneyHelper for free, impartial guidance backed by the UK Government.
Pembrokeshire Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Pembrokeshire expert shares link between mental health and financial struggles
Mental Health Awareness Week highlights vital community support A PEMBROKESHIRE money adviser is urging people to talk about money worries this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12–18), as new data reveals three-quarters of those facing mental health challenges also struggle to manage bills and payments. Frank Farrer, a money practitioner at Pembrokeshire FRAME, works with people across the county who are struggling with debt, fuel poverty and the rising cost of living. He says financial stress and mental health go hand in hand—and that local, face-to-face support can make all the difference. 'There's a massive link between money and mental health,' Frank explained. 'When you're financially stressed, you might not sleep. That makes it even harder to think straight, make decisions or even feel confident enough to ask for help.' He recalled one woman who was so overwhelmed by an Adult Disability Payment form she couldn't even bring herself to look at it properly. 'All she could do was write her name and address. But when we broke it down together, step-by-step, it became manageable. That's the kind of support that helps ease anxiety around money.' Frank is part of the Community Fuel Guidance Team, supported by Wales and West Utilities and operating from Pembrokeshire FRAME. In the last year alone, the team has supported over 2,000 local families. Liz Clarke, Chair of Pembrokeshire FRAME, said: 'We're incredibly proud of Frank and Sue and the work they're doing. They bring real empathy and understanding to what can be a very difficult topic. Their support is making a genuine difference to families across the county.' This year's Mental Health Awareness Week is themed around 'Community', and Frank believes that's key to helping people open up. 'Being part of a community means you're visible, trusted and approachable,' he said. 'When we attend local events, we're not there in suits with clipboards—we're there to chat, to listen. We might sit down with someone over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. That informal approach helps people relax and feel safe enough to talk.' According to the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), 74% of people with a mental health issue struggle to keep up with bills and payments, and 91% avoid talking about money at all. Frank is a member of the MaPS-backed Money Guiders network, which provides self-development and training for those offering financial guidance in their communities. Anyone worried about money can visit MoneyHelper for free, impartial guidance backed by the UK Government.
