We are pleased to announce to that our new Cash First Toolkit - designed to support Community Food staff and volunteers with knowledge, skills and confidence around Cash First - has been published! 

What is Cash First?

Cash first approaches provide people directly with money, pathways to money, or vouchers, making them an effective and dignified form of support for people facing hardship. Where appropriate, they are an alternative to food banks referrals or in-kind support.

Why Cash First?

Cash offers flexibility for people to decide what their immediate needs are, whether they be purchasing the essentials, buying school shoes for their child, paying an energy bill, or paying down debt to get on a more secure financial footing. It can have an immediate impact on people’s lives.

What do we need to apply a Cash First Approach?

TRUST - Frontline staff need to be given the trust and autonomy to make decisions about how best to help individuals.

TIME - There needs to be some time dedicated to embedding a cash first approach within the organisation such as building procedures and applying for funding. Conversations about money with service users also take time.

TRAINING - Training for staff at all levels within an organisation improves confidence and ability to deliver a cash first approach effectively.

KNOWLEDGE - A good knowledge and understanding of the services available to service users within the city is essential to applying a cash first approach.

RESPECT - Service users must be treated with dignity and respect to know how best to use a cash grant for themselves and their family.

Edinburgh Community Food, with support from our partners*, have created a Cash First Toolkit to support community food groups to embed this approach within their organisation. Download the ECF Cash First Toolkit here:

ECF Cash First Toolkit

         

Information and Resources:

Cash First and Benefits Training:  

Organisations supporting people with specific needs:

Employability Support: 

Toolkits:

ECF Cash First Toolkit

Supporting documents - Infant food insecurity - responding and preventing: guide - gov.scot

The Eatwell Guide | Food Standards Scotland

Stigma Toolkit — Fife Gingerbread

Food safety for community cooking and food banks | Food Standards Agency

*We are grateful to the following organisations for their input and support around developing our Cash First Toolkit: IFAN, CHAI, NHS Public Health, City of Edinburgh Council, ECHF, Capital City Partnership, PCHP, Edinburgh Food Project, EVOC, Edinburgh Advice Partnership, Poverty Alliance