There for You (UNISON Welfare)

The fund supports direct relief through one-off grants for essential items and services. These include household items, utility bills, urgent repairs, disability aids, funeral costs, hospital travel and priority debts. Special schemes provide winter fuel allowances, school uniform grants and seasonal food fund vouchers. The fund focuses on alleviating poverty and hardship linked to mental health, in-work poverty and caring responsibilities. It targets low-income working families, women and those experiencing sudden crises such as redundancy, illness, bereavement, disability or domestic abuse. There are no geographic restrictions across the UK, so UNISON members anywhere in the country can apply. The fund also offers wellbeing breaks as part of its holistic support, helping members recover and build resilience.

Only individual UNISON members and their financial dependents are eligible. This includes current members and dependents or partners of deceased members. Organisations and non-members cannot apply. The fund prioritises low-income working families, women and those in sudden hardship, with a particular focus on mental health, in-work poverty and caring responsibilities. Applicants must be facing personal hardship such as redundancy, illness, bereavement, disability or domestic abuse. There are no geographic restrictions, so members across the UK can seek support. The fund aims to reach those in public sector occupations who are struggling financially.

The fund does not support organisations or non-members. It excludes capital costs and organisational expenses, focusing instead on direct personal relief. The fund avoids creating dependency through its grant-making approach, so it does not provide ongoing or repeated support for the same need. It also does not fund costs that could be covered by statutory benefits or other sources.

There for You provides one-off grants for essential needs, along with loans, budgeting advice, debt referrals, foodbank links and wellbeing breaks. It also runs special schemes such as winter fuel allowances, school uniform grants and seasonal food fund vouchers. The fund welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible members and works through UNISON branch networks to reach those in need. It promotes fundraising through lotteries and awareness campaigns to sustain its work.