The Rainy Day Money programme opened in January 2026, delivered by Clean Slate as a new strand of its Quids in! Money Guidance service, and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. It is one of a ten projects brought together by the London Mental Health and Climate Coalition (LMHCC) to create local solutions and develop policies that combine mental health and climate action, (*more below). LMHCC is led by Thrive LDN, a mental health partnership supported and funded by the Mayor of London to promote wellbeing in the city.
Money First, Resilience Next
The Quids in! Money Guidance™ initiative adapts to a range of longer-term outcomes by taking a money-first approach to engagement. Helping low income households to take practical steps deal with day-to-day financial pressures, (see our Service description here), we create an immediate release valve for stress and anxiety. In turn, this opens the door to bigger picture discussions, whether about employment options or accessing specialist advice or health services. Rainy Day Money goes a step further, giving participants a sense of control by preparing themselves for severe weather events and contributing to environmental programmes in their community.
Referrals come from environmental programmes, mental health services and partners supporting low income households. Participants may already be adversely affected by weather conditions, (such as Seasonal Affected Disorder) or climate anxiety. They may live in poor quality housing, properties impacted by heat or damp, or areas at risk of flooding or wildfires. They will benefit from financial gains that might reset a deficit budget, reduce anxiety and mental health pressures, and free up a budget to prepare for and cope with severe weather.
Referrals come from environmental programmes, mental health services and partners supporting low income households. Participants may already be adversely affected by weather conditions, (such as Seasonal Affected Disorder) or climate anxiety. They may live in poor quality housing, properties impacted by heat or damp, or areas at risk of flooding or wildfires. They will benefit from financial gains that might reset a deficit budget, reduce anxiety and mental health pressures, and free up a budget to prepare for and cope with severe weather.
Saving for a Rainy Day
Over three years, we will work with hundreds of participants, identifying ways to improve their financial wellbeing and resilience, and engaging with climate-related issues. Our Money Health-Check process will be supplemented with guidance on coping with severe weather on a budget. For example, can they access affordable clothing, obtain help with damp or over-heating at home, or flex around food price hikes due to crop failure or supply chain issues?
Londoners face the prospect of drier summers and warmers temperatures throughout the year, leading, in turn, to heavier rainfall and flooding. Housing and infrastructure has not kept up and residents will foot the bill of trying to cope. Bills may rocket trying to keep homes dry or cool. Transport costs may increase as alternative travel is required to get to work. As claims for flooding or wildfires increase, insurance premiums may escalate. Many of the lowest income households will not only be in the poorest quality housing, they have limited means (and often no savings) to cope with setbacks and increased costs.
Londoners face the prospect of drier summers and warmers temperatures throughout the year, leading, in turn, to heavier rainfall and flooding. Housing and infrastructure has not kept up and residents will foot the bill of trying to cope. Bills may rocket trying to keep homes dry or cool. Transport costs may increase as alternative travel is required to get to work. As claims for flooding or wildfires increase, insurance premiums may escalate. Many of the lowest income households will not only be in the poorest quality housing, they have limited means (and often no savings) to cope with setbacks and increased costs.
Think Global, Act Local
At the heart of our action on personal finances is a focus on returning to participants a sense of control. With control, in addition to reduced financial anxieties, comes a positive outlook and a sense that things can get better. Starting with quick economic wins, and working towards longer-term decision-making, helps create perspective. People will do what they can to change what they can, and find peace with things beyond their control.
We champion the benefits of local community and environmental action, feeling part of a common purpose and contributing to collective efforts to both limit and prepare for climate change. Our methodology lends itself to robust data collection and we expect to demonstrate the virtuous cycle generated by promoting financial wellbeing, mental health and climate resilience.
We champion the benefits of local community and environmental action, feeling part of a common purpose and contributing to collective efforts to both limit and prepare for climate change. Our methodology lends itself to robust data collection and we expect to demonstrate the virtuous cycle generated by promoting financial wellbeing, mental health and climate resilience.
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*London Mental Health and Climate Coalition (LMHCC)
- Thanks to National Lottery players, LMHCC has received £1,499,958 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund. The project will help communities create local solutions and develop policies that combine mental health and climate action. The project will especially target those facing financial hardship, children, young people, and groups that feel left behind, addressing everyday challenges like poor air quality and inadequate housing.
- The project is led by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust/ Thrive LDN and eight partners; Black Thrive Global, Clean Slate (Quids in!), Climate Outreach, Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow Mind, King’s College London, Living Proof Projects, London Arts and Health and Stanley Arts.
- The Climate Action Fund is a £100 million commitment over ten years from The National Lottery Community Fund to support communities across the UK to take action on climate change and involve more people in climate action.
