Category: MFIN

Turning 18 in Scotland? Make Sure You’ve Claimed Your Child Trust Fund

Ellis on 16 February, 2026

A pink ceramic piggy bank sits on a white surface with a white background. There are stacks of coins to the left of it, increasing in height from left to right, illustrating increased savings.

Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network (MFIN) is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the Child Trust Fund and to encourage young people to find and claim their fund.

Many young people across the UK may have money waiting for them in a Child Trust Fund (CTF) and most don’t even know it. If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, there’s a chance you have savings set aside that you can now access.

What is a Child Trust Fund (CTF)?

A Child Trust Fund is a tax‑free savings account that the UK Government set up for eligible children. Every child received a voucher to open an account, and if no one used it, the government opened an account on their behalf. Now that young people are turning 18, this money is ready to be claimed.

But many haven’t claimed theirs yet. In fact, HMRC estimates that more than 750,000 young people are missing out on an average of £2,242 from unclaimed CTFs.

How to Claim Your Child Trust Fund

Checking if you have a Child Trust Fund is free, you’ll just need your National Insurance number and a few details.

  1. Find your account – If you don’t know who your CTF provider is, use the official GOV.UK tool: Child Trust Fund: Find a Child Trust Fund – GOV.UK
  2. Contact your provider to access your account once you know where it is.
  3. Decide what to do – you can withdraw it or transfer it into an adult ISA if you want to keep saving.

What Can You Use the Money For?

Your Child Trust Fund belongs to you. People use it in all sorts of ways – saving for a first home, paying for driving lessons, helping with college costs, or simply boosting their financial security. One young person told us:

“Having my Child Trust Fund saved me from going into an overdraft at the start of university. It gave me independence and a great start to adult life.”

Whether you’re just turning 18 or already past that milestone, it’s worth taking a moment to check. It could make a real difference as you take your next steps into adult life.

If you know a young person who might benefit, please share this information with them.

Midlothian Unites to Challenge Poverty

Ellis on 10 October, 2025

This Challenge Poverty Week, we’d like to highlight the work of the Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network (MFIN) and extend our thanks to everyone who attended their event this week.

Sustaining Anti-Poverty Work in Midlothian

Midlothian Community Action work in close partnership with MFIN, a network that aims to help relieve poverty and promote public awareness around matters relating to the management of personal finances.

MFIN held a special Challenge Poverty Event on Tuesday, themed around sustaining anti-poverty work in challenging times. The event, held at St John’s & King’s Park Church in Dalkeith, provided a great opportunity to hear from national funders.

Lead Development Worker at MCA, Natalie Welsh, explained:

“I think it’s amazing that we can have funders come out and speak to us. Midlothian is a small community and it’s great that we can have somebody come out from the council and talk about the stats that they use. It shows the sort of close relationship that we have and the ability to work together to tackle issues, especially poverty.”

During the event, the Midlothian Climate Action Network announced the launch of two new, free resources developed in partnership with MFIN. These guides are aimed at third sector organisations and community groups to build long-term resilience and secure crucial funding.

What is Challenge Poverty Week?

Challenge Poverty Week is Scotland’s annual chance to highlight the injustice of poverty, and to celebrate collective action based on justice and compassion. It’s a chance for you to raise your voice against poverty and unite with others in calling for a just and equal Scotland. Each year, hundreds of organisations do just that, including elected representative, charities and NGOs, local authorities, faith groups, businesses, school and colleges, trade unions, professional bodies and more.

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said:

“We’re very pleased that Midlothian is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week. In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

Cost of Living Support in Midlothian

MFIN continue to update their Cost of Living Support Directory with a range of accessible support services, from local food pantries and clothing banks, to 1-1 finance and job support.

In collaboration with Dalkeith CAB, MFIN has also published a range of useful leaflets that provide information on the most common enquiries that local statutory & third sector organisations often receive.

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#MidlothianCares Week – Cost of Living & Finance Support

Ellis on 24 June, 2025

#MidlothianCares Week takes place this year from Monday 23 June to Friday 27 June, with a different theme for each day of the week. The focus of the campaign is to promote local services, drop-ins, and contacts which can help year-round.

With Tuesday’s theme being ‘Revenues’, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to highlight the work of the Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network (MFIN).

MFIN, which has over 20 participating organisations, aims to help relieve poverty and promote public awareness around matters relating to the management of personal finances. Midlothian Community Action host an MFIN staff member and frequently take part in the network meetings.

In collaboration with Dalkeith CAB, MFIN has published a range of useful leaflets that aim to give people the information that they need to resolve some of the most common enquiries that local statutory & third sector organisations often receive.

They also maintain a Cost of Living Support Directory, updated frequently and packed full of helpful information. You can view & download all of these resources on the MFIN page of our website:

View MFIN Resources

MFIN Member Support & Services

VoiceAbility

An independent charity that provide advocacy and involvement services to support people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing. Their advocacy services can offer help to access benefits from Social Security Scotland.

Visit VoiceAbility’s Website
Scotland Benefits Poster A4Download
VOCAL Midlothian

Money Matter and Financial Wellbeing support at VOCAL Midlothian:

Benefits and entitlements

VOCAL offers one-to-one appointments with benefits advisors, to help you understand and access what you’re entitled to.

There are many benefits available for unpaid carers and the people you care for. The welfare rights system can often be overwhelming, but it’s important to know what you’re entitled to.

VOCAL offers appointments with our Money Matters team: Carer Support Practitioners with specialist knowledge in income maximisation. They can do a benefits check and support you with any applications.

To book a benefits check appointment, please contact Vocal Midlothian.

Grants and funding

We offer grants to support carers facing financial challenges and funding to take a break from caring.

We provide grant funding opportunities designed to enhance carers’ wellbeing and financial stability. Our funds offer much-needed support, whether it’s through enabling a well-deserved break or assisting with essential costs.

Wee Breaks Fund

The Wee Breaks Fund is designed to provide unpaid carers with opportunities to take a break from their caring responsibilities, enhancing their health and wellbeing. This fund is available to carers who support someone living in Edinburgh or Midlothian. Breaks can vary from a few hours to longer periods, depending on individual needs and preferences. Examples include funding for leisure activities, short holidays, or therapeutic treatments. Learn more.

Midlothian Carer Assistance Fund

The Midlothian Carer Assistance Fund provides one-off grants to carers in Midlothian to help manage the rising costs associated with their caring role. This financial support aims to alleviate some of the financial pressures carers may face, ensuring they can continue to provide care without compromising their own wellbeing.

Please note, this fund is not open to carers in Edinburgh.

Grants may include providing funds to support:

  • Costs of setting up Power of Attorney
  • Energy costs associated with having your heating on more frequently
  • Costs due to travelling to appointments
  • Food costs as a result of the person you care for requiring a special diet
  • Sitter service to help you attend important appointments
  • Personal hygiene or continence products
  • Specialised clothing
  • Specialist equipment or white goods which support the caring role

Grants are not limited to the examples provided above, and we encourage carers to be as creative as possible when considering what would help them most in their caring role.

Visit VOCAL’s Website
ChangeWorks

Affordable Warmth Services

Changeworks’ Affordable Warmth Services team is skilled in working with people and households on low incomes and who find themselves in vulnerable situations.

The Affordable Warmth Services team can be contacted from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, on freephone 0800 870 8800. You can also email them at warmth@changeworks.org.uk.

You can refer yourself or a client to their Affordable Warmth Services team using the referral form on their website:

Visit ChangeWorks’ Website

You can find more Cost of Living support & resources on the #MidlothianCares website. Learn more about the Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network by contacting MCA.