Cost of Living Crisis: Everything Bolton is doing to help

The Bolton News previously reported that the borough will be given £2.8 m of government cash to help with the cost of living this winter.

The website will show what is available to help with debts, money and benefits, housing support, food and energy, jobs and skills, health, and wellbeing, plus support for businesses.

The £2.8m for the Household Support Fund is also available until March 31, next year to support those most in need with energy and water bills and a wide range of day to day living essentials.

All residents can ask for support including those not on benefits and anyone who has not previously received cost of living support.

Bolton Council will be delivering a range of help and advice, supported by partner organisations across the borough, including:

•Half-term supermarket vouchers to the value of £15 for each child in households of families eligible for Free School Meals

•Emergency support with food parcels, gas and electric payments, travel costs and accessing household essentials such as cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines

•An extra £200k for Bolton’s Fund, which enables more local organisations to provide cost of living essentials in the local community

•Creation of warm spaces in local areas providing comfortable places for residents to escape the cold and meet, chat and get specialist help

•£100k emergency funding to help those in genuine need with housing costs

The cost-of-living campaign is being promoted with the support of all partner organisations, encouraging people to visit bolton.gov.uk/costofliving.

Bolton Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: “We know that many people in Bolton are concerned about the rising cost of energy and other essentials as we head into the winter months.

“The new website is a simple and straightforward guide to the help and support available and I urge everyone to visit.

“The website will be regularly updated as more support, advice and information become available.”

Horwich Warm Hub (picture Horwich Community Centre Facebook) (Image: Agency)

Warm hubs are being put up around the borough to support those who need to find warmth and save money on their electricity bills.

Horwich Community Centre is one community centre which is supporting people.

Lisa Morris, Centre Manager at Horwich Community Centre said: “We as a Centre are here to provide services to the local community and the people living within that space.

“Due to the rising costs of energy and food bills people are having to make difficult decisions between keeping warm and eating a hot meal.

“The idea is to provide a lit, warm place along with hot drinks, toast and soup and the response to the warm space has been welcomed and has had much interest via Facebook.

“The Warm space will run from 9.30am - 3.30pm on Wednesdays starting from beginning of November.

“There will be tabletop games and will hopefully help people overcome isolation and loneliness too.

“As the Community Centre is used by a variety of different people, it hopes to welcome those that have used the centre and new faces.

“It is being funded by a grant issued by Horwich Town Council and the opening date for the Warm Space is November 3 and will be every Wednesday.”

Cllr David Grant said he welcomes the initiative.

He said: “Ultimately the idea behind Warm Spaces isn’t just about giving local residents somewhere warm to go, it will obviously help them save money in their own homes, but it is also giving the community space to meet other people as well, so it combats social isolation as well as offering a nice cup of tea, putting something on the TV and offers a great social space for people.”

Red Lane Church is also offering a warm hub for the community.

The council website also links to partner organisations and the dedicated Government page www.gov.uk/helpforhouseholds.

This provides help with energy bills and energy price guarantees, cost of living payments for people on means-tested benefits, pensioner cost of living payments and winter fuel payments, disability cost of living payments, low-cost home internet and phone packages, hardship schemes from water companies, help with the cost of childcare, housing benefits and job help, tax relief and work-related expenses claims.

Drop-in advice sessions for all Bolton residents have also been arranged to help the public find out more about the support available.

The next will be at Bolton’s Albert Halls from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Wednesday , November 9.

Local organisations will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on ways to make food, fuel and money go further, including Bolton at Home’s Money Advice Service and UCAN Centres, Bolton’s Money Skills Service, plus many more charitable organisations and support agencies.

They will be offering tips on budgeting and energy advice, guidance on the next steps for people struggling with finances and there will be some raffle prizes and free accessories to help people save money in their homes.

Bolton charity, Urban Outreach will also be offering slow cooker demonstrations throughout the event showing you how to cook on a budget.

The first hour on each day is set aside for people who require a quieter time at the event for example, those with autism, learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders who would like to attend with their families.

The organisers also want to find out more about how the cost of living is affecting communities across Bolton including the challenges they are facing, the things they are having to do to make ends meet and what additional support they really need.

As part of the research attendees at the events will be asked for their views, plus a short survey will be posted online for people who could not attend to give their opinions which will help shape future support.

For more information about the cost-of-living events contact moneyskills@bolton.gov.uk or call 01204 331968.

For more general help visit www.bolton.gov.uk/costofliving.