Help for those looking for work
Dear resident,
With a few weeks to go before Christmas we've got new tips and new ways to help below.
The festive period can be expensive, so sharing the information below can help anyone who is struggling.
Continue to forward this email so others can get the advice, or share the social media posts in your local Facebook or community WhatsApp groups.
We appreciate your ongoing support,
Cost of living response team
Email this to others to help before Christmas
Cost of living help and support
The cost of living help hub has been updated with new schemes and projects to help you this winter.
We know Christmas can be expensive so save this email in case you want to access any of this support in the new year.
£400 energy payments
Make sure your energy provider is making Energy Bill Support Scheme payments, £400 between October and March. Contact your supplier if you’ve not received your payments.
Pension credits
Check if you or anyone you support is eligible for pension credit and how much you could get if they are pension age.
More income and planning spending
Wokingham Citizens Advice has tools to help you maximise your income and planning your spending if you’re struggling.
Where to go to stay warm
Warm spaces are up and running across the borough organised by community groups.
Earley, Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Wokingham have support in place, we’ll be adding more as they open up. All libraries are open to provide support this winter too.
If you want to be added to the list or are looking to run a warm space contact our team.
Making Christmas special if you’re struggling
If you’re struggling and worried about marking Christmas for your family, local organisations can help you. We’ve pulled together help at Christmas with organisations who may be able to support you.
Warmer winters
The partnership winter warmers project is providing items to those who need them to help reduce bills at home.
Low energy items like slow cookers, air fryers and heated blankets, along with warm clothes, blankets and more. The project is run alongside SHARE Wokingham, First Days Children’s Charity and our Hardship Alliance partners.
Apply through First Days or a charity you already work with.
Grants for essentials
Our Hardship Alliance partners Wokingham United Charities have its Essential Item Grant open for the winter. This is eligible to Wokingham Borough residents to help with items like furniture or white goods if you’re in hardship, services to reduce distress or fees associated with debts.
£120 Household Support Fund grants
If you’re struggling to pay bills or buy food this winter our Household Support Fund can help you with £120 towards costs. There’s specific money put aside for all families with children who receive means-tested free school meals. How to apply can be found on our website.
Loan sharks
Watch out for loan sharks in the run up to Christmas
Lenders are looking to cash in as people struggling to cope with rising costs of food, fuel and energy, as well as the costs of the festive period
Advice is available from Stop Loan Sharks if you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else.
Share this on social media to help before Christmas
Post one - download graphic
✔maximise income
✔budget planning
New tools from Citizens Advice Wokingham can help you with costs
More info 👉 https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/cost-of-living/financial-support/?utm_source=cost_of_living_infochamps&utm_medium=infochamps_social&utm_campaign=cost_of_living_infochamps_social
Post two - download graphic
📍Earley/Lower Earley
📍Spencers Wood
📍Shinfield
📍Wokingham
All have warm spaces operating to help you keep warm this winter 😊 all council libraries also re open at normal times if you need somewhere to go
Full list ➡ https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/cost-of-living/warm-spaces/?utm_source=cost_of_living_infochamps&utm_medium=infochamps_social&utm_campaign=cost_of_living_infochamps_social
Post three - download graphic
Worried about spending Christmas alone?
Unable to make the day special for your family?
Organisations across Wokingham Borough can help ❤👇
Support ➡ https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/cost-of-living/help-at-christmas/?utm_source=cost_of_living_infochamps&utm_medium=infochamps_social&utm_campaign=cost_of_living_infochamps_social
Post four - download graphic
Freezer stopped working? Washing machine suddenly broken?
Wokingham United Charities can help you if you don’t have the funds to replace them
You can get support up to £500 👍
Apply 👉 https://wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk/essential-item-grants
Post five - download graphic
What do air fryers, slow cookers and heated blankets have in common? Using them can help lower energy costs 🙌
First Days and SHARE Wokingham can help you access these items if you’re struggling with costs right now ❤
More info 👉 https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/cost-of-living/warmer-winter-project/?utm_source=cost_of_living_infochamps&utm_medium=infochamps_social&utm_campaign=cost_of_living_infochamps_social
|
