Support Services


Organisations there to support Civil Servants and their colleagues.

Welfare Support Services

When an individual experiences difficulties, either at work or at home, it can have a significant impact on their health and day to day activities. In turn, this can have a knock-on effect on the service provided by the Department so it is crucial that the well-being of staff is addressed. The Welfare Support Service does this through the provision of an independent and confidential service to all staff helping them to cope with and work through personal and work related issues which may affect their ability to work effectively. • Welfare Officers can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm • Confidential Mailbox: welfare@finance-ni.gov.uk • Telephone: (028) 9025 1771

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NICSSA Sport & Leisure

• To encourage and co-ordinate the pursuit of all forms of sport, recreation and leisure activity throughout the NI Civil Service • To promote health and wellbeing to all staff in the NI Civil Service • To promote the formation of clubs representative of each region and sporting and recreational activity throughout the Civil Service where such clubs do not exist • To provide or assist in the provision of facilities and services for, or in connection with any form of sport or recreational activity to participants • To develop links with other public sector organisations in NI • Website: http://www.nicssa.co.uk(link is external) • Email: info@nicssa.co.uk(link sends e-mail) • Telephone: 028 9052 0404

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Inspire

Inspire is the company contracted to provide the NICS Employee Assistance Programme. Inspire complements Staff Welfare by providing a confidential counselling service so it is an important additional resource to support staff. Inspire can provide up to six sessions of counselling support at a location which suits you. • Website: www.inspirewellbeing.org • Email: workandstudy@inspirewellbeing.org • Telephone: Free phone: 0800 389 5362

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The Charity for Civil Servants

The Charity For Civil Servants (formally known as the The Civil Service Benevolent Fund (CSBF) is the principal charity of the Civil Service and has been in existence since 1886. The Charity provides a professional help and advisory service to serving and former civil servants (and their dependants) facing hardship in the UK. An estimated 4 million people throughout the UK are eligible to apply for help. • Financial assistance in the form of grants, loans and allowances to cover a range of circumstances; • Care Placement Advisory Service in the form of information, advice and support in finding short, medium and long-term care options; • Information and advice on a wide range of subjects. • Website: http://www.foryoubyyou.org.uk • Telephone: Free phone: 0800 0562424

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Benenden Healthcare

Benenden Healthcare is a mutual 'not for profit' Friendly Society run for its members and has been in existence for over 100 years. They are a mutual organisation, not a medical insurer, and members club together so they can get the first class medical help they need, when they need it most. Benefits may vary according to the needs of the member, the resources available or over time. • Website: www.benenden.co.uk • Telephone: 08450525733

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HR Connect

HRConnect is the Human Resource service for NI departments that provides access to a range of HR information, advice and support including NICS HR policies in the HR Handbook which you can access online from your PC at work, by telephone, fax or e mail. Many of these policies relate to matters that support staff wellbeing such as special leave, smoking, attendance, welfare and health and safety. HRConnect also has a ‘what’s New’ section that provides the latest information on wellbeing issues such as, childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, Taxsmart travel scheme etc.

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is a national charity dedicated to helping former civil servants and their dependents make the most of their retirement. They provide a range of services that include two national befriending schemes to help combat loneliness in later life, local community groups (providing educational speakers and leisure activities) and we are on hand to offer information, advice and signposting to a wide range of other supportive organisations.

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