Healthcare professionals tend to have a union representing just that profession across all employers, such as the British Medical Association (BMA) for doctors, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), College of Podiatry (CoP), Society of Radiographers (SoR), Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the PDA Union for pharmacists. Please see the Grants for Healthcare Disciplines page for details of what each organisation offers.
It is worth checking whether a partner or spouse is eligible for a hardship grant (e.g. police benevolent fund) – even if you are not eligible yourself.
Unison There for You (UNISON Welfare). To be eligible to apply for financial assistance, you must have been a member of UNISON for at least four weeks and up-to-date with your subscriptions. Also, that the financial difficulties that led you to apply occurred after you joined. Partners or dependants can also apply. A number of funds are currently closed but help is available for general living costs. There are also a UNISON benefits calculator, a UNISON budget planner and a free confidential debt advice service.
Unite The Unite the union Benevolent Fund is the benevolent fund for Unite the union members and employees and their immediate dependents. They also provide of other services including debt advice and counselling, mortgages, insurance, tax refund services and credit union.
GMB Have a number of benefits for members including cash benefits and support.
