Inside Salisbury: Feeling the financial squeeze? Support available for those in need.
Need help with the cost of living?
by Annette J Beveridge
A WIDE range of support is available to help people with the cost of living crisis with more than £2m being allocated.
The financial allocation from the Government’s Household Support Fund is for low-income households that would struggle to pay essential utility bills, to buy food or to meet other essential living costs.
The funding will be used primarily to help people in crisis in partnership with local charities.
Anyone over the state pension age is encouraged to check their eligibility with the Government for Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment. Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they’re over State Pension age and on a low income.
Read more: A waggy good Christmas tale
Leader of Wiltshire Council, Councillor Richard Clewer, said: “There’s a wide range of support available across council services for anyone who needs it this winter and I would encourage people to check if they are eligible for any financial support from the Government such as Pension Credit.
“Our libraries continue to be warm spaces where people can stay and chat to staff, potentially providing an important social interaction and the opportunity to help people access additional services.”
Activities in libraries include board games, crafts and book chat groups. Some libraries also offer hot drinks.
Library staff can also refer people to Warm and Safe Wiltshire for advice and support. All the usual library services, including free access to books, newspapers, computers, Wi-Fi and digital support, continue as normal.
Cllr Clewer added: “Of course, we wish in this day and age that such services weren't needed, but we know the challenges residents are facing and we will continue to do what we can and be there for people.”
Check below for details on how to access support:
Wiltshire Council’s holiday activity and food programme, FUEL (Food, Unity, Energy, Laughter), is returning to provide festive fun and support during the Christmas school holidays. Building on the success of the summer programme, which supported over 1,500 children and provided more than 13,000 meals, the Christmas FUEL programme will offer free access to enriching activities, food and nutritional education during the school holidays.
Read more: Vape shop sold illegal tobacco products and vapes
Information about FUEL can be found here.
The council also provides a home library service for anyone housebound or who struggles to get to a library. Anyone interested in this service should contact their local library.
