Cost Of Living - South Hams

Cost of living help and guidance

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24 November 2022

Cost-of-living newsletter contents:


Community Grants Supporting the South Hams

Money


Voluntary groups in the South Hams are invited to apply now for their share of a £50,000 funding pot to support community projects across the district.

As part of the Council's cost-of-living response plan, South Hams District Council has launched two new grant schemes for local voluntary and community groups.

Worth up to £2,500 per group, the money can be used for projects or schemes that are working to directly support residents through the cost-of-living crisis, while also supporting the broader health and wellbeing of local people.

Community Wellbeing Grant

This grant aims to support activities with up to £2,500 towards addressing residents' wider health and wellbeing impacts such as:

  • Improving mental health and wellbeing
  • Improving physical health and wellbeing
  • Activities that promote participation in activities to disadvantaged and isolated groups

Cost-of-Living Community Response Grant

This grant is an opportunity to bid for up to £1,000 for community schemes that directly contribute to the cost of living. This could include creating and operating warm banks, or providing warm meal clubs for residents, etc.

What sort of projects should apply?

Community and voluntary groups should be able to demonstrate that their projects will improve health and wellbeing for local people through the cost-of-living crisis.

Click the button below to find out more and get your application to us.

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Holiday Activities For Children - Christmas 2022!

Holiday Activities


The winter Holiday Activities & Food Programme (HAF) is now available for families across Devon.

School holidays can be particularly difficult for some families because of increased costs (such as food) and reduced incomes. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap

The aim of the HAF programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

A list of providers is available here: 
HAF Providers Winter 2022

The programme is taking place in four different locations around Devon, with the South Hams falling under the umbrella of "South and West Devon".

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Warm space at Totnes United Free Church's Living Room Cafe

Totnes united FREE CHURCH

The Living Room Café is a community event which is taking part at Totnes United Free Church. It provides a warm space to enjoy refreshments and converse with friends and other community members.

The Café runs from 10.30 a.m. every Tuesday and 11 a.m. every Thursday at Totnes United Free Church, 56 Fore Street, TQ9 5RP. 

Everyone is welcome.


Love Food - Hate Waste!

food


The Love Food Hate Waste website has simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home - incredibly helpful advice during a cost-of-living crisis.

Following their advice can both reduce bills and help the environment.

Love Food Hate Waste provides:

  • Simple recipes that can help you waste less
  • Advice on planning more meals to reduce waste
  • Advice on a weekly food routine
  • Guides on saving food
  • Resources to help community groups

Research from Recycle Devon shows that everyone throws away more food than they think they do.  This can be due to buying too much in the first place, not storing things properly so they go off quickly, not eating things in time.

The handy tips from Love Food Hate Waste could save you hundreds of pounds a year and make a real difference. 

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Uswitch - How to Save Energy

Plug


With energy prices exponentially increasing, there are options which could help you save money and limit your impact on the environment.

Previously you’d have been able to switch to a better energy deal with one of the increasing numbers of green energy suppliers, but this is no longer the case. 

However, there are still a number of things that you could do around the house which could help keep the costs low. 

Uswitch is giving advice on what household appliances are costing more on average per minute and per week, and how you can utilise switching off appliances to save money. 

Tips on how to reduce appliance energy usage

  • Choose appliances with a high energy efficiency rating wherever possible - A-rated devices are the most energy-efficient
  • Turn appliances off at the plug when you aren’t using them
  • Switch off lights when leaving the room
  • Swap halogen light bulbs for LED versions which last longer and cost less in the long-term 
  • If possible, set a heating schedule for the times when you’re using certain rooms or know you’ll be at home

Uswitch expert Ben Gallizzi says: 

"With the cost of living increasing, many of us are trying to find ways to cut down on our energy bills. It’s easy to think that small appliances may not have a big impact on your overall energy bill, but surprisingly they can often have the most impact." 

Visit the Uswitch website to discover which household appliances use the most energy and seek advice now. 

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Open a communal 'Warm Space'

radiator heater

Do you have a free event or a place that can provide a communal warm space where local people can gather together this winter? 

Let us know about your free warm spaces and can make sure that local people know where to come and how to access the space.

Email your warm space to: communications@swdevon.gov.uk