The cost-of-living crisis is forcing thousands of people across Cambridgeshire to turn to the county council for support.
Since 1 June, there have been more than 46,000 visits to the authority’s web page outlining details of the Household Support Fund – money awarded from the Government to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship.
It is used, for instance, to pay for food and household energy bills. During that period, the fund has provided almost a million pounds of support to hard pressed families and pensioners across the county.
Since the launch of the fund in November 2011 the council has supported 25,000 people in need.
The HSF page has been the seventh most visited page on the council’s website, while there have also been thousands of views of related pages including the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, as well as support on the general cost of living.
In addition, cost of living events run in Cambridgeshire’ libraries are making a real difference.
Feedback from these events, which are being run by the council’s Think Communities team and the libraries, has been positive with many people telling staff that they felt able to attend because walking into a library has no stigma attached.
More events at libraries are being planned over the coming weeks.
These will be held at:
- Cambourne (20 January, 10am-1pm)
- Sawston – (23 January, 2pm-5pm)
- Linton – (24 January, 11am-2pm)
- Papworth (1 February, 10am-1pm)
- Cottenham (7 February, 11am-2.15pm)
- Huntingdon (18 January, 12pm-4.30pm)
- Ely (25 January)
- Chatteris (16 December, 10.30am-12.30pm).
There are 33 libraries across Cambridgeshire and, outside of the events, all are keen to welcome anyone who may be struggling to heat their homes or need information about rising living costs.
They also offer visitors access to hundreds of thousands of books, as well as a place to work, free internet access and social activities.
Cllr Tom Sanderson, chair of the council’s communities, social mobility, and inclusion Committee, said: “I would urge anyone who needs help to look to the Household Support Fund.
“Those struggling to keep their homes warm should also remember that libraries are cornerstones of our communities and provide warmth, support, activities, and a chance to interact with other people. They really are wonderful places.”
For more information on the Household Support Fund people can simply search ‘CCC HSF’.
For other support available to help with the cost of living, including the Holiday Activities and Food programme, visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities-localism/support-with-the-cost-of-living.
