Building society service for those with life-limiting conditions aids thousands

More than 5,000 people affected by cancer and other life-limiting conditions or mental health issues have used a building society's specialist support service since it was set up two years ago.

The service was set up by Nationwide Building Society in October 2015, in response to a report from Macmillan Cancer Support, which made recommendations to the financial industry to ease the financial impact of cancer.

Nationwide now offers the service to those affected by other life-limiting conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and motor neurone conditions, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and to people affected by mental health conditions, such as depression.

Some of those using the service have experienced a sudden change in their personal circumstances, such as a divorce, while others are living with an addiction or dependency, such as gambling.

Nationwide said each customer using the service is given a single point of contact who can make changes to their products and policies in order to give them more control, choice and independence over their money.

Changes range from cancelling overdraft fees to product switches and payment holidays.

Mandy Griffin, Nationwide's director of membership, said: "By providing members with a single point of contact, we can work with them to reduce stress at times when money should be the last thing on their mind."