Turn2us
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| Charity | |
| Industry | Third Sector |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Headquarters | UK |
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Key people
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Simon Hopkins, Chief Executive |
| Services | Provides around £3 million a year in direct grants to those living in poverty, free online tools including the Turn2us Benefits Calculator and Grant Search tool and information and support resources |
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Number of employees
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50 |
| Website | www.turn2us.org.uk |
Turn2us is a charity that helps people living in poverty in the UK and Ireland. Turn2us provides information and support about accessing welfare benefits and charitable grants through an accessible website and a freephone Helpline.
In May 2015 Turn2us merged with former parent charity Elizabeth Finn Care with both brands coming under the Turn2us banner. Turn2us is now the trading name for Elizabeth Finn Care is registered in England and Wales: 207812 and Scotland: SC040987.
Over 13 million people currently live in poverty in the UK, including 3.9 million children. Turn2us was set up to respond to this need.
The charity has five objectives that were published in their 2014/15 Annual Report:
The charity holds a number of regular campaigns aimed at raising awareness of issues relating to poverty and raising funds for charitable activity. The highest profile of these is their annual fuel poverty campaign. In 2014 the campaign was supported by a number of politicians including Brooks Newmark, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, Cheryl Gillan and Dan Jarvis.
In 2015 the Independent newspaper reported "The charity is launching a new "Cut out the Cold" campaign today to highlight the help that struggling people can get with energy costs. It's research suggests that seven out of 10 families have never heard of the Warm Home Discount scheme, for instance, which hands hard-up folk a £140 discount on their electricity bill. The research also reveals that half of hard-up families have not checked their eligibility for benefits while almost nine out of 10 have not checked what free charitable grants may exist. We need to see more done to help raise awareness of the financial support and help available to manage energy bills," said Alison Taylor. "It is vital that people on low incomes are not left behind.”
In November 2015 the charity launched its No Cold Homes campaign to raise awareness of those struggling to afford to heat their homes. The campaign drew support from a range of high profile celebrities who donated winter items to raise money for the charity. Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren, who donated to the campaign, commenting, "I'm pleased to play a part in helping more families get the vital help they need this winter."
In 2016 the charity released new research as part of the No Cold Homes campaigns highlighting the extent to which people are unaware of the support that is available. In response to the findings Turn2us brought together representatives of the 'big six' energy companies to discuss the problem, which attracted broad media coverage.
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