Support & Guidance

Support and Guidance

We all need a little extra support or guidance sometimes. Here's some resources that might help you or a loved one.

Money Management

Money on your mind? Take a look at these recommended resources to help you feel more in control.

The UNUM Employee Assistance Program Logo.

Employee Assistance Program

Our EAP has partnered with the Money Advice Service to provide access to a variety of helpful tools and calculators. These Financial Assessments are a good place to start.

LUU staff can access support via live chat through the My Healthy Advantage app (unique code MHA152161), by calling 0800 028 0199 or visiting Health Assured EAP with the username 'endsleigh' and password 'StudentUnions'

A picture of a piggy bank.

Student Discount

Staff who have an @ leeds account can make the most of working at a Student Union by accessing student discounts.

This can be done through free sites such as unidays and student beans or by buying a Totum Card (which also gives you 10% discount in Coop).

A picture of a calculator, pen and notebook.

Budgeting Tools

Money Advice Service. Just enter what you spend and earn, and this free budgeting calculator will give you a breakdown of your current spending and personalised tips to help you reduce your outgoings.

Citizen’s Advice. This budgeting tool will take around 30 minutes to complete but gives an overview of what you’re earning and spending and where you can cut costs.

A picture of a tiny tree growing out of coins.

Financial Advice

Citizens' Advice - offer advice on a range of topics, including debt and money.

Money Saving Expert - this free site offers lots of resources, articles and tips to help you cut costs,

Money Buddies - are a charity that offer free impartial debt advice in Leeds, budgeting support, letter writing, energy bill saving and much more.

Pensions

Pensions are something we can all benefit from later in life, but how much do you know about pensions? Don't worry we have got you covered, take a look at our Understanding Pensions page to understand:

  • Why pensions are important

  • Information on LUU's Pension schemes

  • How you can make the most of your pension

  • What you should be thinking about when nearing retirement

Doomscrolling

Social media and news sites were made to be addictive, so don’t feel bad if you find yourself spending more time on them than you would like. It can be a hard habit to break but luckily there are lots of resources to help you.

A picture of scrabble letters that say pause, breathe, ponder.

We'd recommend these apps to help stop you scrolling.

Apps to stop you using apps - this list of apps will help you spend less time on your phone.

Chill panda - Use breathing techniques to help you relax more, worry less and feel better.

Worry Tree - Notice, record and manage your worries using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.

My Possible self - Manage fear, anxiety and unhelpful thinking.

Pzizz - Get help to calm your mind, fall asleep fast, stay asleep and wake up refreshed.

Thrive - Thrive uses games to track your mood and teach you methods to take control of stress and anxiety.

Catch it - Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently.

A picture of smiley faces on yellow balloons.

Why not try reading something more positive instead?

The Good News Network - "good news itself is not in short supply; the broadcasting of it is"

Positive News - a source of positive news from around the globe.

Action for Happiness helps people take action for a happier and kinder world. They release monthly action calendars to help you take small easy steps towards being more positive.

The Happy Newspaper - published every 3 months, subscribe to read positive news and find out about wonderful people.

Bereavement

We know that losing a loved one is always difficult and grief may affect us all in different ways. We would encourage you to talk to your line manager or the People Team so we can discuss how best to support you at work during this difficult time.

Leeds Bereavement Forum Logo.

LBF are a small Leeds based charity that signposts individuals to bereavement support that's right for them. They recognise that we all need to be supported by someone who understands, which is why their resources are inclusive of people from different communities, backgrounds and cultures. View their full Directory of Services.

Our EAP also provides support with Bereavement and Loss. LUU staff can access support via live chat through the My Healthy Advantage app (unique code MHA152161), by calling 0800 028 0199 or visiting www.healthassuredeap.com with the username 'endsleigh' and password 'StudentUnions'

Domestic Abuse

As a potentially triggering subject for our people we have put our support resources on a different page. Clivk the button below to access them.

Staying Safe

We understand that some people may be living in difficult circumstances at home. Please reach out to one of these charities or helplines if you are struggling. A more extensive list can be viewed here.

Leeds Women's Aid Logo.

Leeds Women's Aid Online Chat is available Monday to Friday 1.00pm – 3.00pm, with longer hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

They also have a 24 hour helpline - 0113 246 0401

Leeds Domestic Violence Service Logo.

If making a call is difficult, LDVS are available via email. They recognise that deomstic violence can happen to all genders, and have a range of support services available, including finding emergency accomodation - LDVS Services.

Behind Closed Doors Logo.

24 hour helpline (0113) 246 0401

BCD are a Leeds based community based team that can help if someone feels they are at risk. They can also provide practical support around accessing legal advice and financial guidance.

Galop Logo.

Galop is a specialist LGBTQ+ anti-violence charity.

(0800) 999 5428 – Support and Advocacy

Email help@galop.org.uk or click here to visit their website.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline Logo.

It's free to call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day.

Men's Advice Line Logo.

24 hour helpline 0808 8010327 support for male victims of Domestic Abuse.