By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning
The recent announcement of £5 billion in benefit cuts has left many wondering how they will cope. As the political debate swirls—over whether these cuts are too much, too little, or just fiscal tinkering—thousands of individuals and families are now bracing for real financial hardship.
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe this is not just a policy failure but a call to action. While governments debate, people need practical, immediate pathways to regain control over their financial futures. That’s why we are proud to spotlight two essential, complementary solutions: the GAME Plan and the critical services of Turn2us.
A System Under Strain
The UK’s welfare system provides vital short-term relief but too often lacks pathways toward long-term independence. The latest cuts expose the fragility of this model, especially for those already on the margins. But hardship doesn’t have to mean hopelessness. With the right support, people can transform their circumstances—building resilience, reclaiming agency, and forging new livelihoods.
The GAME Plan: A Blueprint for Self-Reliance
The GAME Plan—standing for Goals, Actions, Means, Execution—offers a powerful framework to help individuals pivot from crisis to stability. By focusing on human capital—the skills, talents, and passions every person possesses—we guide people to:
- Set clear, achievable goals that align with their personal and financial aspirations.
- Break those goals into actionable steps, building momentum through small wins.
- Leverage existing strengths and resources, whether through new employment, entrepreneurial ventures, or retraining.
- Build resilience using our holistic Significant STORIES System, which helps reframe adversity into a springboard for growth.
It’s a system designed not just to survive benefit cuts—but to render them irrelevant by fostering true self-sufficiency.
Immediate Help from Turn2us
While the GAME Plan offers a longer-term strategy, many need urgent assistance right now. That’s where Turn2us steps in as a national lifeline. Their practical support includes:
- The Turn2us Benefits Calculator: A free, easy-to-use tool that helps people identify all the benefits they may still be eligible for.
- The Turn2us Grants Search: Quickly discover charitable grants that can provide immediate financial relief.
- PIP Helper: Step-by-step guidance through the often-complicated Personal Independence Payment process.
- Local Programmes and Edinburgh Trust: Long-term, community-based support initiatives that can offer grants and financial resilience training.
Turn2us’s mission is clear: to ensure that everyone in the UK has the financial security they need to thrive. Whether it’s navigating a sudden financial shock or finding sustainable pathways forward, Turn2us provides essential, practical help.
Two Paths, One Goal
Together, the GAME Plan and Turn2us offer a complementary strategy:
- Immediate relief through benefits advice, grants, and advocacy.
- Long-term transformation through human capital development, goal-setting, and financial empowerment.
We are committed to working alongside Turn2us and other mission-aligned organisations to deliver real impact—turning today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s opportunity.
Your Next Steps
If you’ve been affected by recent benefit cuts, don’t wait for change to come from above.
✅ Start with Turn2us: Use their Benefits Calculator and explore available grants.
✅ Engage with the GAME Plan: Begin mapping a path toward financial resilience and personal fulfilment.
Together, we can shift the narrative—from dependency and despair to empowerment and thriving.
Your Money or Your Life
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By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 