Help and support - Financial worries for businesses

We understand that many businesses are facing difficulties with managing the increasing costs involved with running a business. Here’s how we can help you.

We understand that no business owner or account operator wants to realise that their business is facing financial difficulties. It means anxiety in resolving those issues and worrying what the future might hold. However, looking out for early indicators can allow you to take action quickly and hopefully gives you a broad set of options over which you have control.

Some of the early warning signs to stay alert to are set out below. What tends to be most important is that you understand the reasons any of these things might be happening, so you can identify if there is something you need to do to react to the change:

Profits falling / losses increasing
Reductions in turnover or sales
Negative cashflow
Reductions in orders
Late or missed payments which you are due to make or are due to receive
Not meeting targeted budgets or forecasts
Delayed or missed reporting or filing of accounts
Loss of customers
Loss of staff

We understand that financial worries can make you feel alone and isolated, especially when you feel responsible for your staff and want to make sure you get payment to your own suppliers.

There are a number of independent organisations across the UK who are happy to talk to you to offer free guidance, help and support.

Help with debt and finances

Business Insolvency Helpline
Free debt advice and information to help businesses manage their financial problems, and guidance towards other organisations who can offer help and support.
Free advice line: 01246 912 052.

Citizens Advice
Free advice on a range of topics including debt guidance.
Support available online, in person or over the phone: (0800 144 8848 or 0800 702 2020 if you’re in Wales.
Lines open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Business Debtline
Debt advice and budgeting help.
Helpline: 0800 197 6026.
Lines open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

The Insolvency Service
A government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.
Debt advice and budgeting help.
Helpline: 0300 678 0015.
Lines open: Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-3pm.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)
A national charity providing local support to the farming community across England and Wales. Confidential support to those who currently work within agriculture and also to those who are no longer able to work in the sector due to illness, accident or age.
Helpline: 0800 188 4444.

The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI)
RSABI supports people from Scottish agriculture emotionally, practically and financially in times of need. The service is available to those from farming, crofting, and growing or their dependants.
Helpline: 0131 364 4205.

FarmWell
Launched in 2019 by The Farming Community Network – provides useful information to those working in farming to help keep businesses, and the people in those businesses, resilient through changing times and plan positively for the future.
Helpline: 03000 111 999.

Acting for Others
Provides financial and emotional support to theatre workers in times of need through their network of 14 member charities.
Helpline: 0207 379 6978.

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF)
Gives financial support for professional actors and stage managers who are experiencing hardship and are unable to work due to illness, injury or old age.
Helpline: 0207 836 6378.

Help with illness

Alzheimer's Society
Support for everyone living with dementia.
Help available online or by phone: 0333 150 3456.
Opening hours: Mon-Weds 9am-8pm, Thurs and Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat and Sun 10am - 4pm.

Macmillan Cancer support
Providing emotional, practical, physical, and financial support to people living with cancer.
Help available online or by phone: 0300 1000 200.
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

CIFAS
Chronic illness support for all, dedicated to boosting emotional well-being and simplifying access to support for individuals coping with the challenges of long-term illness.
Help available online.

Diabetes UK
Supporting everyone affected by diabetes.
Support available online or by phone: 0345 123 2399.

MS Society
Funding research, sharing information and campaigning on MS.
Support available online or by phone: 0808 800 8000.
Lines open Monday to Friday 9am-7pm.

Parkinson's UK
Providing support and funding research for a cure.
Support available online or by phone: 0800 800 0303 or text relay: 18001 0808 800 0303).
Lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm.

We know that there are many other conditions you may be experiencing, please contact us by phone or through internet banking if you would like any guidance to other organisations who might be able to help you.

Help with mental health

Mind
Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Helpline: 0300 123 3393.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm (except for bank holidays).

Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24/7 every day of the year if you need urgent help.
Helpline: 116 123.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)
A national charity providing local support to the farming community across England and Wales. Confidential support to those who currently work within agriculture and also to those who are no longer able to work in the sector due to ill-health, accident or age.
Helpline: 0800 188 4444.

The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI)
RSABI supports people from Scottish agriculture emotionally, practically and financially in times of need. The service is available to those from farming, crofting, and growing or their dependants.
Helpline: 0131 364 4205.

FarmWell
Launched in 2019 by The Farming Community Network – provides useful information to those working in farming to help keep businesses, and the people in those businesses, resilient through changing times and plan positively for the future.
Helpline: 03000 111 999.

Financial worries

Early warning indicators of financial difficulty

Useful organisations who can help

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