• Exclusive FAO and AO Discount on Car and Home Insurance

    Exclusive FAO and AO Discount on Car and Home Insurance

    This article was published on Wed 08 Apr 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    ou have probably seen the new offers for discounted home and car insurance.

    This online discount is a limited offer – the Home Insurance discount runs until 23 April 2020 and the Car Insurance discount ends on 30 June 2020.

    You can take advantage of these offers PLUS your usual FAO/AO discount.

    To get both discounts you’ll need to follow these 3 simple steps;
    1. Get a Home and/or Car quote online at policemutual.co.uk
    2. Make a note of the quote reference(s)
    3. Email the quote reference(s) to info@pmas.co.uk stating you’re an FAO or AO

    One of our insurance experts will then ensure your FAO/AO discount is also applied. We’ll then contact you as soon as we can to confirm your fully discounted quote price.

    The online discount is applied to the basic premium when you buy a new car or home policy. The FAO/AO discount is then applied to the online discounted premium. The discounts are not available on optional extras and minimum premiums apply. The online offer only applies during the policy period and will not apply at renewal; the renewal price may be higher. The online discount will be automatically applied to your quote and will apply on all quotes taken before midnight on 30 June 2020 for car insurance and 23 April 2020 for home insurance, however can be withdrawn at any time.

    Please note your standard FAO/AO discounts of 20% off your Home Insurance and 10% off your Car Insurance will continue, on telephone quotes, after the online discounts have finished, if you remain in the role.

    Joanne Palmer

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  • Beginner’s Guide to Investing 2020

    Beginner’s Guide to Investing 2020

    This article was published on Monday 6 April 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Top tips for first-time investors.

    Whatever your savings goals may be, it’s important that your money works as hard as possible for you. If you are saving for the medium to long term, you might want to consider investing some of your money. You should invest in a way that’s right for you without taking unacceptable risks. See our guide below for some top tips for first-time investors:

    What are investments?
    There are many different types of investments available including stocks and shares and property and bonds. You invest money in these types of assets to get a profitable return, however by investing you can also incur losses. Contrary to common belief you do not have to have a large lump sum to start investing, some products offer a regular saving option allowing you to invest smaller amounts on a monthly basis.

    Why should I think about investing?
    We all have different savings goals and these can change depending on what life stage you are at. If you are saving for the longer term and don’t need access to your money, investing in stocks and shares or property and bonds could be an alternative to a cash savings account.

    When should I start investing?
    Nobody can predict the perfect time in the market for you to invest your money, however you should make sure that you have enough money which you can access easily to cover your everyday expenses and ensure you have an emergency fund that can easily be accessible before you consider investing. Before you invest make sure that you are happy that, in exchange for potentially better returns, you understand any associated risks.

    What about the risks?
    Whenever you invest money you will always be exposed to some element of risk. It’s very important to think about how much risk you feel comfortable with and that you can afford to take risks before making your investment. The more risk you take generally the bigger the potential return on your investment, this is because more risky investments are generally more volatile which means their value can rise and fall rapidly.

    Think about your personal circumstances
    It is important to understand your personal circumstances. If you lose money on your investment, consider how this would affect your standard of living. If a potential loss could affect your lifestyle you may want to think about a more cautious investment where exposure to losses can be managed more effectively.

    Do your homework
    When you find an investment product you may be interested in, make sure that you do your research. Check out independent financial websites and press for information. Ensure that you are happy with where and how your money will be invested and check the risk level of the investment to make sure you are comfortable with it. If you have any doubts consider contacting a qualified Financial Adviser.

    Police Mutual offer a range of savings and investments products. Whether you want to save regularly or invest a larger amount our products could help meet your needs. To find out more about our range click here or call the team on 01543 441 630

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited is an incorporated friendly society. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6QS.

    Joanne Palmer

  • 5 Golden Rules When Choosing an Investment in 2020

    5 Golden Rules When Choosing an Investment in 2020

    This article was published on Mon 06 Apr 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Are you looking to invest? Check out these important things to consider.

    If you have made the decision to start investing, it’s important that you take the time to do some research on the market and find the right product for you. Below are 5 golden rules to follow to help you through the process.

    1. Higher returns = higher risks
    If you don’t want to or can’t take any risks with your money then investing may not be the right option for you. The basic rule is that to improve your chances of better returns you will have to accept more risk, but with higher risk can lead to bigger losses. When you are selecting your investment product always consider the level of risk you are willing to take.

    2. Be diversified
    Putting all of your money in one type of investment can be risky. You can reduce this risk by choosing a product that spreads your money across a mix of investment types and sectors. This is called diversifying and works on the basis that when prices in one investment area may be falling they could be rising in another area. This can help to balance out the risk and return on your investment.

    3. Think long term
    If your money is invested for a longer period, the better chance it has to produce a potentially better return. There are of course no guarantees but keeping your investment for at least 5 years, or ideally 10 or more years, increases the potential for better returns. This is because there’s more time for your investment to recover from any short-term drops in value. If you think you may want access to your money in the short term you might want to consider a cash savings product instead.

    4. Let the expert’s help
    Investing does not need to be complex or time consuming. You can of course choose to manage your investments yourself but this does take time and takes a certain level of expertise. If you are new to investing why not consider looking for an investment product where the fund and your money is managed for you by experts. If you’re unsure about which type of investment is right for you, think about contacting a financial adviser for advice.

    5. Keep an eye on your investments
    You should take time to review your investments on an annual basis to make sure they are on track and that you are happy with your investment. This will allow you to monitor how they are performing over the years and to make any necessary changes to help you reach your savings goals. Remember the value of investments can vary all the time as the markets fall and rise, investing over the long term can help minimise the impact of this. If you are worried about how your investments are performing then it might be time to review your options and consider whether this level of risk is right for you.

    Police Mutual offer a range of savings and investments products. Whether you want to save regularly or invest a larger amount our products could help meet your needs. To find out more about our range click here or call the team on 01543 441 630.

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited is an incorporated friendly society. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6QS.

    Joanne Palmer

  • National Stress Awareness Month 2020

    National Stress Awareness Month 2020

    This article was published on Thu 26 Mar 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992.

    We all know what it’s like to feel stressed – being under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.

    Stress isn’t a mental health condition, but it can cause a mental health problem, like anxiety or depression or it can cause an existing one to get worse.

    Stress can also affect you physically, it can cause headaches, tiredness or stomach problems.

    National Stress Awareness month is a great opportunity to take a moment to think about your own wellbeing and find out more on how to manage stress.


    What you can do to help with stress

    There are various steps you can take to cope with being under pressure, remember, different things work for different people.

    • Identify your triggers and take control – working out what triggers your stress can help you anticipate when you may feel stressed and what you could do about it in advance.
    • Organise your time – making some adjustments to the way you organise your time can help you feel more in control and able to handle the pressure you are feeling.
    • Be active – exercise can help clear your head and then let you deal with your problems more calmly. Go outside to exercise, as fresh air and spending time in nature can really help.
    • Talk to other people – friends, family & colleagues can help support you through the stress you are feeling, you may even have a laugh and start to relax. You may also want to consider talking to a professional counsellor.
    • Do something you enjoy – spending time doing something you enjoy will take your mind off how you are feeling. Everyone needs to take time for themselves, it can be as simple as having a bath or reading a book.
    • Avoid unhealthy ways to cope – many people use alcohol, smoking, chocolate and gambling to try and relieve the stress they are feeling, none of these things will help in the long term, use healthy coping strategies like going for a run, listening to music or walking the dog.
    • Challenge yourself – learning new skills and setting yourself new goals will help build your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
    • Help others – people who volunteer in the community or for a worthwhile cause tend to be more resilient.
    • Try to be positive – think of all the things you are grateful for, write down or say out loud 3 things that went well each day.
    • Address some of the causes – where possible improve some of the issues that are putting pressure on you.
    • Accept the things you can’t change – it’s not easy, but accepting that there are some things happening to you that you can’t do anything about will help you focus your time and energy elsewhere.

    Worrying about money can be extremely stressful and may lead to mental health conditions.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.


    Police Mutual Products & Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website at www.policemutual.co.uk

    Our Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk

    Username: policemutual

    Password: careline

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is an incorporated friendly society. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Joanne Palmer

  • Welcome to the Police Mutual App

    Welcome to the Police Mutual App

    This article was published on Thur 19 Mar 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Welcome to the Police Mutual App for Force Authorised Officers (FAO) and Authorised Officers (AO). Thank you for downloading it and we hope you find it full of useful information to help you in your role as a Police Mutual advocate. A summary of what you can see in this section of the app is detailed below.

    • Latest news to keep you fully updated on all Police Mutual news and specific news articles to assist you in your role
    • Advanced notice of our special offers, prize draws and our most current campaigns.
    • Details of how you can support Police Mutual and access materials to promote our campaigns to your colleagues and family
    • Details of all the events Police Mutual run throughout the year and how to promote them
    • Guidance for keeping your displays current
    • Contact details for members of the Police Mutual team who are here to support you in your valuable role as a Force Authorised Officer or Authorised Officer
    • Details of the Purpose, Role Profile and Best Practice Guidance
    • Sharing of best practice and to see what great work the FAO/AO community are doing

    And we’d love you to give us lots of feedback about what you are doing out there to support us, how you’d like us to support you and what’s going well or not so well. So we have a Community Update section where we can share ideas, successes and development opportunities.

    Joanne Palmer

  • How Police Mutual is Supporting You During the Coronavirus Pandemic

    How Police Mutual is Supporting You During the Coronavirus Pandemic

    This article was published on Thur 19 Mar 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    We have been considering the increasing concern surrounding coronavirus COVID-19, and we want to assure you that Police Mutual is committed to maintaining our high service standards for you, through all our teams around the country.

    We are naturally doing everything we can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and, at the same time, focusing on maintaining the service we provide to you, our Members and customers.

    The situation is changing daily, so we continue to monitor, and be guided by, the advice from the World Health Organisation, the Government and Public Health bodies. In order to make sure our operational teams can continue to support you and, at the same time, stay safe, we have progressed several internal contingencies in case of more widespread isolation measures. These contingencies will help us to ensure that we remain open for business as the situation evolves.

    How we will be supporting you directly

    More of our colleagues are now working remotely so our usual telephone and postal service levels may be impacted to some degree. We will minimise this impact wherever possible, but please bear with us if we are slower than normal to answer your phone call or letter.

    Working from home is less straightforward than from the office, so there could be some background noise on occasions, but our priority is to answer as many calls as possible and we are ensuring that the security and privacy of your calls, and data, is always maintained.

    Our face-to-face teams who support you around the country are also affected by the current advice from HM Government and the WHO. We will therefore not be conducting all of our planned face-to-face events. This impacts our regular events in Police Stations in connection with financial wellbeing & education, independent advice, and mortgage advice.

    Some practical updates

    You can help us manage the impact of these changes in the following ways:

    • Remember, you can access our website where you can view our product range, get a quote and choose to buy your cover for many products. The site is fully optimised for use on mobile devices.
    • We know that many of you will be working long hours and/or shifts but calling us at less busy periods of the day, i.e. not at 9.00am, just before 5.00pm and avoiding lunchtimes wherever possible, will really help us answer your call more quickly.
    • We are prioritising claims in conjunction with our insurance partners. If this applies, we will be in touch with you as soon as possible and keep you regularly informed, there is no need to chase for updates. If you need to register a new claim, please contact us.
    • Reluctantly we have taken a decision to withdraw our Hercules Barista service for the time being. We hope you will understand that Lucas, our barista, meets many of you every day and, we wish to keep you safe as well as Lucas in line with the guidance on social distancing. We hope you understand this temporary change.
    • Our mortgage advice appointments service is very popular and whilst we have taken the decision not to hold face-to-face clinics for the time being, we already offer this great service by phone so you can still access our expert team in that way.
    • We have started exploring how we can use webinars and Facebook Live to help us maintain our dialogue with you, across a wide variety of interactions, not just mortgage clinics.

    Further information will be posted in our News section as the situation evolves.

    Joanne Palmer

  • How to Save Energy in Your Home

    This article was published on Wed 18 Mar 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    You’d be surprised at how small changes can make a big difference. Whether you’re looking to cut energy costs, or do your bit for the environment, we’ve put together 5 top tips to help you save energy around your home.

    Don’t leave appliances on standby

    Leaving appliances on standby is one of the most common ways homeowners waste energy. Simply turning your appliances off at the plug could save you £30 a year*.

    Why not go one step further and invest in smart plugs? They allow you to turn your appliances on and off via your phone and certain models allow you to monitor your energy consumption.

    Smart plugs do require a small current to work, yet this is will have a negligible effect on your energy consumption, in comparison to leaving appliances on that could be increasing your energy bill.

    Turn down your thermostat

    We all want to come home to a warm house after a long, hard day, but cranking up that thermostat will cost you. Turning it down by just one degree, could save you up to £80 a year*! You can also program your thermostat, so it only comes on at certain times, to help save energy.

    Ask your energy supplier to install a smart meter

    A smart meter will give you a better understanding of your gas and electricity consumption, and produce more accurate bills, which will help you budget better. What’s more, there’s no initial set up fee and your energy supplier will get it going for you. By the end of 2024, smart meters will be offered to every home in Britain. Why not ask your energy supplier about installing yours today?

    Don’t let heat escape

    Double glazed windows are big energy savers. They help insulate your home, and at the same time, reduce your bills. You can also invest in draught excluders to prevent heat escaping from cracks in your flooring, under doors or through your letterbox.

    Be water smart

    The amount of hot water you use will also have an impact on the cost of your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Making some small changes, like washing your clothes on a lower temperature, washing up in a bowl instead of keeping the tap running, or even buying an energy efficient shower head could knock pounds off your bill each year.

    * Reference https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/energy-saving-quick-wins

    Joanne Palmer

  • Home Insurance Explained

    Home Insurance Explained

    This article was published on Thu 27 Feb 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    David Reeves, from our insurance team, explains how to navigate some common home insurance terms and work out what level of cover might be right for you.

    How do I work out what cover I’ll need?

    There are two types of home insurance: buildings and contents cover.

    Buildings cover refers to any permanent fixtures and fittings like bathrooms and fitted kitchens, as well as the structure of your home including any outbuildings such as garages and sheds.

    You’ll need to work out how much it would cost to rebuild your home, which is not the same as the market value of your property. Consider things such as demolition costs, surveyor’s fees and the actual cost to rebuild your home.

    If you obtained a survey on your property, an estimate of the rebuilding cost may be included in the report, but alternatively you can find many resources online including the ABI/BCIS Residential Rebuilding Costs calculator.

    If you own a leasehold property, it’s best to check what your responsibilities are and potentially what buildings cover you may need. If you are a renter/tenant, it’s unlikely that you will need buildings insurance, as this should be the landlord’s responsibility, but it’s always advisable to check your tenancy/rental agreement for details.

    Contents means the things you use to furnish your home, such as carpets and furniture, as well as all your personal belongings – essentially, all the things that would fall out if you turned your property upside down. Everyone should consider contents cover to protect their personal belongings, whether you own the property or are renting.

    You should think about how much it would cost to replace as new all the things you’ve got in your home – you might be surprised at how much it adds up to! There are many online calculators available to help you get a better view of the value of the things that make your property a home.

    How do I cover any items I take away from my home?

    Personal items like jewellery, mobile phones and cameras can normally be added to the personal possessions section of your contents quote, which offers cover against accidental loss, damage or theft outside the home.

    Levels of cover differ and some policies require you to specify single items worth over a certain amount on the policy.

    What do insurers mean when they talk about ‘valuables’?

    When insurers refer to ‘valuables’ they generally mean items such as pictures and other works of art, items of gold, silver or any other precious metal, jewellery, furs and stamp, coin or medal collections.

    What is domestic emergency cover?

    Domestic emergency cover provides immediate assistance for a number of domestic emergencies. ‘Emergency’ situations could include, for example, the breakdown of your main heating supply, plumbing and drainage problems, loss of domestic power supply, and damage to the roof. This cover may cost extra; however, many insurers provide this as standard.

    Covering possessions for family members at university?

    Many insurers offer cover for family members’ belongings if they’re kept within temporary accommodation at university. Sometimes this is standard to the policy but can be an additional cost with many.

    What are pairs, sets and suites?

    This typically gives you the option to upgrade your cover to ensure that if part of a pair, set or suite is damaged, lost or stolen, the insurer will pay the cost of replacing any undamaged items if they cannot be matched. Under the buildings section this would cover your bathroom and kitchen. The contents section will include items such as a three piece suite or dining room furniture.

    What’s the difference between standard and accidental damage?

    Standard buildings and/or contents cover insures against the main perils such as fire, theft and escape of water.

    Accidental damage for buildings could include accidental damage to sanitary fixtures, fixed glass and underground pipes and cables.

    Accidental damage for contents could include accidental damage to audio/visual equipment including TVs, stereos and desktop computers.

    Many insurers also offer “Extended accidental damage” as an extra under both buildings and contents insurance to cover any damage that you or your family might cause, such as putting a nail in a wall and bursting a pipe, or spilling wine or paint on your carpet.

    Why not take a look at Police Mutual Home Insurance?

    We provide a range of insurance products, to help protect people who own or rent their homes, including home insurance, which includes up to £500 in Home Emergency Cover, should the unexpected happen – Terms and Conditions apply. We also offer renters’ insurance for those that just need the reassurance of contents cover. Both of these are available to serving or retired Police Officers and Staff, Specials and your families.

    Why not talk to us today?

    Call us on 0151 242 7640  for more information

    We’re open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Home insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc.

    Renters’ insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc.

    Home Emergency Cover is provided by ARAG plc.

    PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 1073408. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS136QS.

    For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

    Joanne Palmer

  • International Day of Happiness 2020

    International Day of Happiness 2020

    This article was published on Thur 27 Feb 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Recognising the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal

    March 20 is the International Day of Happiness and this year’s theme is Happier Together, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. Since 2012 this day’s aim is ‘To promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world’.

    We all want to lead a happy life and want the people we love to be happy too. But as a society we are not giving this enough priority. Our actions and choices can affect our happiness. What makes us happy has less to do with our money or possessions and more to do with our attitudes and relationships with other people. 

    According to Action for Happiness there are 10 key areas in which we can take practical action to boost our happiness and to help prevent depression and anxiety.

    GREAT DREAM – 10 keys to happier living

    • Giving– Do kind things for others
    • Relating – Connect with other people
    • Exercising – Take care of your body
    • Awareness – Live Life mindfully
    • Trying out – keep learning new things
    • Direction – Have goals to look forward to
    • Resilience – Find ways to bounce back
    • Emotion – Look for what’s good
    • Emotion – Look for what’s good
    • Acceptance – Be comfortable with who you are
    • Meaning – Be part of something bigger 

    Take the Action for Happiness Pledge

    “I will try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world around me”

    What to do if you aren’t happy

    • Find 3 good thing each day
    • Thank the people you’re grateful for
    • Look for the good in those around you
    • Bring mindfulness into your day
    • Find your strengths and focus on them
    • Get help if you’re struggling

    Police Mutual Products & Services

    If you are struggling to be happy because of money worries, Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433.  If you don’t want to talk on the phone contact them using their online form. www.payplan.com

    If you just want someone to talk to about emotional issues then call our Care Line Service provided by Health Assured. You can access advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support.  To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk

    Username: policemutual

    Password: careline

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website at www.policemutual.co.uk

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is an incorporated friendly society. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

    Joanne Palmer

  • Time to Talk, Time to Change – Putting an End to Mental Health Discrimination

    Time to Talk, Time to Change – Putting an End to Mental Health Discrimination

    This article was published on Fri 31 Jan 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

    Choose talk, Change lives

    We know that talking about mental health can feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to. Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet many people can feel isolated, ashamed and worthless because of this. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives. 

    That’s why it’s so important that Time To Talk Day on 6th February 2020 gives people the opportunity to talk about mental health and how it can affect anyone, of any age, gender or background. Time to Talk day isn’t just about helping others, its also important to understand and recognise your own wellbeing

    Looking after your own mental health

    • Keep active – exercise helps both your physical and mental health, this can just be a regular walk
    • Eat Well – what you eat and your mood can be connected, so think carefully about what you are eating
    • Ask for help – sometimes you need help from others, so don’t be afraid to ask for this help
    • Take a break – make sure you have regular time to relax and re-charge
    • Do something you’re good at – doing something you enjoy and you are good at can give you the ‘feel good’ boost that everyone needs

    Top Tips to Support Others

    • Check in – ask others how they are feeling
    • Listen and don’t judge – its great that people are happy to talk to you about how they are feeling, so ensure you really listen to them
    • Treat them in the same way – don’t change the way you act towards someone once you are aware of their poor mental health
    • Don’t forget little gestures can have a big impact – this may just be making them a cup of tea or inviting them out for lunch
    • Ask twice – asking someone twice how they are feeling will give them the opportunity to be honest

    Financial problems is one of the biggest worries that can negatively affect your mental health. According to Money and Mental Health Policy Institute over 420,000 people in problem debt consider taking their own life in England every year, while more than 100,000 people in debt actually attempt suicide annually*.

    It’s important to start talking about money worries before your situation gets worse. Talking about money will give you the confidence to get help and find out who can best advise you on any problems. It can give you a great sense of relief to share your problems, so you’re not facing them alone.  If you don’t feel ready to talk to someone, write down what you are going through and share it with somebody you can trust.  It’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible and not wait until it’s more difficult to find a solution.

    Police Mutual are here to help. We want to break down the stigma surrounding debt and get people talking about money.

    We’ve teamed up with PayPlan, one of the UK’s leading free debt advice providers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone in serious financial difficulties.

    They’re able to advise you on a range of debt solutions suited to your individual circumstances, helping to protect you and your family with a sustainable way to manage your debt.

    Get free and confidential help to combat your debt, call PayPlan on 0800 197 8433. If you don’t want to talk on the phone contact them using their online form. www.payplan.com

    Police Mutual Products & Services

    Police Mutual offer a range of wellbeing support services, for more details check out the For You pages on our website.

    The Care Line Service provided by Health Assured can offer advice and information at the end of a phone, helping with a range of concerns including emotional support. To talk to someone please call 0800 028 1708 or take a look at the e-portal –

    Health & Wellbeing e-portal

    https://healthassuredeap.co.uk

    Username: policemutual

    Password: careline

    The (not so) small print

    *Money and Health Policy Institute report ‘a silent killer’ Published December 2018

    Police Mutual Assurance Society Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is an incorporated friendly society. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

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    Joanne Palmer