Talking Money

09/07/2026

The summer holidays can be brilliant.

They can also make an already tight budget stretch a lot further.

Not because families suddenly start spending on luxuries. The ordinary costs change.

More meals at home. Childcare gaps. Bus fares. Activities. And even a “free” day out can still mean travel, snacks and a packed lunch.

The good news is that there is help out there.

We’ve done some digging across Bristol and South Gloucestershire and found:

🍎 Funded holiday activities and meals
🛒 School holiday food vouchers
🚌 Free bus travel
📚 Free library activities
🏘️ Community activities and family support
🎟️ Free and discounted days out
🍽️ Places where children can eat free or cheaply

We’ve put the useful links and current offers in the comments below 👇

There are some genuinely good ones — including free August bus travel, holiday clubs and meals, cheaper family days out and a few time-limited offers worth checking soon.

Please save and share this post with anyone who might find it useful.

And add anything we’ve missed. Let’s make the comments a useful summer list for families across Bristol and South Glos.

18/06/2026

We’ve been a little quiet on here, but Talking Money is still here for people in Bristol who are dealing with money worries.

We offer free, confidential and independent advice on things like debt, benefits, bills, rent, energy costs and managing money.

Money worries can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to deal with them on your own.

Our free advice line is open to new enquiries every Tuesday from 10am–12pm:

0117 954 3990 / 0800 121 4511

Please share this with anyone who might need support.

05/01/2026

We're recruiting a Fundraising Manager! 📣And it’s an exciting time to join us.

If you are an experienced fundraiser who is passionate about making a difference, this could be a great opportunity.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, take a look at the full details here: https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/talking-money/fundraising-manager/1049351?jobTitle=view&tsId=8

And please share to help spread the word.

17/12/2025

✨ Thank you and Merry Christmas from Talking Money ✨

As the year comes to an end, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of Talking Money's journey in 2025.

This year we turned 35, and for 35 years we’ve been here for local people who are dealing with money worries. This year, we’ve supported hundreds of people to tackle debt, increase their income, ease stress, and feel more secure and in control.

If you’d like to read or watch real stories from people we’ve supported, you can find them on our website here:
👉 https://lnkd.in/evVgV2Rj

As we head into Christmas, we’re especially mindful that this season can be a difficult one for people, and we’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to show care, solidarity and kindness.

From all of us at Talking Money, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year. 💙

17/12/2025

We’re unable to join this event, but it’s a really positive initiative. New Monday offers access to support services, employers, and wellbeing specialists, all in one place.

Need advice on health, debt, or energy bills? Looking for work or perhaps, a career change?

Join us for New Monday – a free event to kickstart your 2026!

🗓️ Monday 19 January 2026
🕚 11am – 2pm
📍 Ground Floor, The Galleries, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3XD

New Monday brings together support services, employers, and wellbeing experts all under one roof.

Go to https://orlo.uk/tPlgD to register and find out more.

16/12/2025

13/11/2025

We were delighted to welcome Kerry McCarthy to Talking Money this week!
It was great to have the opportunity to share more about the work we do supporting people across Bristol who are facing financial challenges. We also discussed how local and national systems could be improved to make life easier for those navigating complex processes.
Thank you to Kerry for taking the time to listen and engage with these important issues.

I recently visited Talking Money at their office in Old Market to discuss their support for people facing financial difficulties. They’ve recently celebrated their 35th birthday, so there will be many people across Bristol today who have benefited from their expert advice and compassion over the years.

As well as hearing about their work with individual clients, it was good to talk about how local and national systems could be improved. I know how difficult and frustrating it can be to navigate bureaucracy within the Council or DWP, and the challenge that increasingly digital systems pose for some people. Despite being supposed to make things easier to access, these systems are all too often the source of the problem.

If you ever need Talking Money’s support, their advice line is open for new referrals on 0117 954 3990 between 10am and midday every Tuesday.

06/11/2025

💬 It’s week!

We know things are difficult for many people right now, and money can feel hard to talk about. If you’re thinking about getting a clearer picture of your finances or taking a small step to get organised, MoneyHelper has a straightforward guide that can help.

👉 Beginners’ guide to managing your money: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/beginners-guide-to-managing-your-money?source=mas #

It’s a good place to start if you want to understand your options and feel a bit more in control.

Need help from a specialist money adviser? Our free advice line is open to new enquiries every Tuesday from 10am - 12pm.
01179 543 990 / 0800 121 4511

04/11/2025

We were pleased to join Kerry McCarthy and staff from other local advice agencies in Parliament to talk about the vital role advice agencies play across Bristol. Yet, the sector continues to face significant workforce challenges.

Though is over, we continue to back the AdviceUK campaign for National Advice Workforce Strategies to ensure long-term investment in the people who provide this essential support.

Read the report and find out more here: https://bit.ly/47qxUqw

Advice agencies and their staff do fantastic work across Bristol, providing invaluable advice and support for people who are often going through a very tough time and feeling very alone. From difficulties with debt and bills, to issues with housing, immigration and public services, they've helped turn numerous people's lives around. My caseworkers work closely with them, and really appreciate the role they play in Bristol.

Last week in Parliament, I joined staff from St Paul’s Advice Centre, Housing Matters, Talking Money and Centre For Sustainable Energy to discuss how essential and important the advice sector is, and the challenges it faces in the future. Whilst they all achieve incredible outcomes for their clients across Bristol, they raised the real difficulty around recruiting and retaining staff.

The Government is increasing civil legal aid fees and returning to multi-year settlements for local authorities, which I hope will address some of the funding issues plaguing the sector. But we also need to inspire and encourage a new generation of expert advisers who can carry on this work for years to come. If you're considering a career in advice work, or want to volunteer, then I'd be happy to put you in touch.

22/10/2025

At Talking Money, we see first-hand how essential quality advice is for people navigating financial hardship and complex systems.

Advice is a vital part of public service delivery, yet our sector continues to face major workforce challenges. It’s time for governments to recognise this and invest in the people who provide that support.

We’re backing the call for National Advice Workforce Strategies across England, Scotland, and Wales – bringing governments and the advice sector together to co-design sustainable, long-term solutions.

📄 Read the report and find out more: https://bit.ly/47qxUqw