Poverty always comes down to a lack of income. However, knowing how best to help people who are struggling financially can sometimes seem too complex an issue to address – especially if money guidance is not your organisation’s area of expertise.
To help such organisations, Resolve Poverty has launched an online version of its Money Advice Referral Tool (MART). The MART is a financial support finder available for people living in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. It’s designed for any agency that works with people on low incomes, including GP surgeries, schools, hospitals and local community groups, as well as people seeking financial support for themselves.
The MART was first launched in 2022 but was previously only available in PDF form. The new online version of the tool has been designed to be user-friendly for both frontline staff and people in financial hardship who are seeking support for themselves.
When using the new online MART, you’re prompted to answer three questions before being shown tailored information on appropriate support, which you can download or email to yourself or someone else.
Alongside the online version, the PDF versions of the tool have also been relaunched and now include the most up-to-date support information in a simplified design. These can be downloaded for free on the Resolve Poverty website.
A frontline professional who regularly uses the MART said:
“This has been a fantastic tool for our organisation. What a great piece of work this has been. Directing individuals to the help and support they need and giving professionals the tools to do so!”
Graham Whitham, Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty said:
“We’re really pleased to launch a digital version of our Money Advice Referral Tool. Many people are struggling financially at the moment, but the local support system can be really complex to navigate. We've designed the new online tool to make it as easy as possible for people to be referred directly into support services that best meets their needs.
“We really encourage organisations like healthcare settings, schools and foodbanks to make use of the tool, to guide their conversations and help people find the right support. The support included in the tool focuses around addressing the root cause of people’s financial difficulties, with things like benefit checks and debt advice. By having all the information in one place, the tool really simplifies the process of trying to find and access support – meaning people can get help the right help at the right time.”
This Money Advice Referral Tool (MART) was produced in partnership with Resolve Poverty. Resolve Poverty is a leading anti-poverty organisation that deliver locally and regionally focused anti-poverty activities across the UK. Its strategic priorities are maximising the financial resources available to households, implementing strategic responses to poverty and equipping stakeholders with the knowledge they need to tackle poverty.