How the ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide is helping people in Scotland

About the study

The ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide has been co-developed by the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), based on learning from Scotland’s ‘A Menu for Change’ project, to provide a tool for taking a cash-first approach to tackling food insecurity. The step-by-step guide signposts people to sources of local advice and support that provide immediate financial support options, as well as help to maximise income.

The Independent Food Aid Network, through funding from the Scottish Government, commissioned the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) to conduct a study exploring experiences of using the ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide among people in Scotland facing financial insecurity.

Findings

Participants discussed their reasons for seeking financial support, their awareness and experiences of using the ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide, experiences of accessing financial support through the guide and any suggested improvements.

• Participants were seeking financial advice and support to meet their everyday costs, bill arrears or debt repayments, or to cope with large and unexpected expenses. Some needed advice due to changes in their personal circumstances or changes in their social security payments. 
• The step-by step guide helped people to quickly and easily navigate the information they needed.
• Having information presented in one resource, rather than spread across multiple sources, helped to minimise the physical, mental and emotional energy needed to seek support, something that was particularly important for people who were already stressed and anxious because of money worries. 
• Some people had been successful in accessing cash support through the ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide and some had received in-kind support (e.g., fuel vouchers or home repairs). 
• Suggestions for improvement included the addition of more neighbourhood-level sources of support. Some people had already maximised their income but were still struggling and unsure about their other options. Budgeting advice was suggested as something that may help.
• People stressed the importance of raising awareness of the guide by promoting it in places where people experiencing financial difficulties were likely to visit such as local authority offices, job centres, community centres, and food banks.  

Methodology

ScotCen conducted in-depth interviews with 12 members of the public living in Scotland who have used the ‘Worrying About Money?’ guide. Interviews took place between March and May 2024.