Council continues to provide support during cost-of-living crisis

As the nights draw in and with colder weather on the horizon, Wiltshire Council is reminding residents that it continues to provide support to people during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Although energy prices have dropped slightly and inflation has reduced, both remain much higher than in previous ‘standard’ years and with interest rates continuing to be unpredictable, this will undoubtedly put financial pressure on people throughout the county.

Wiltshire Council has a range of support available to help make things a little easier and to provide support and advice to those who need it, including:

• Wiltshire libraries continuing as warm spaces
• Warm & Safe Wiltshire in place to help people live in warmer, safer and healthier homes
• An updated interactive guide to help people find key support
• Household Support Fund to directly financially support a range of programmes and initiatives
• A range of online support and sign-posting information on topics including council tax/benefits, energy advice and mental health support
• Area boards continuing to look at way to support their local community projects
• A dedicated Wiltshire Wellbeing support line to provide advice and guidance
• The council’s FUEL programme to continue this winter
• Cheaper bus fares continue until December 2024

Wiltshire Council’s libraries continue to be there for people who need them, providing anyone with a warm and friendly welcome.

The council is working with Warm & Safe Wiltshire and The Rural Communities Energy Support Network to assist residents seeking basic energy advice and make referrals to experienced energy advisors in all but its smallest libraries. Free warm packs will be available for those who need them.

Working with local community partners to reach the most vulnerable, libraries will all be offering an enhanced offer of heated throws and radiator reflectors. More than 1,400 warm packs were provided to people last winter.

All libraries can signpost people to community partners and agencies that can support people through the rising cost of living. Wiltshire Libraries are also working with the Good Things Foundation to distribute free SIMs and mobile data at Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Devizes, and Warminster libraries to people who are 18+ years old and from a low-income household.

The National Databank scheme is supported by UK mobile networks, including Vodafone, O2 and Three. More information can be found at
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-news.

Warm & Safe Wilshire, provided by the council in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and the Centre for Sustainable Energy, is a service to help residents live in warmer, safer and healthier homes.

It provides in-depth telephone, home visit and outreach support to people and communities covering a wide package of support: including energy bills, energy saving tips, energy saving vouchers, and funding for heating and insulation improvements in their homes. More information is available at www.warmandsafewiltshire.org.uk.

In 2021, Wiltshire Council set up an interactive directory so people could easily find local food providers and warm spaces near to them at just a few clicks of a mouse.

The council has engaged with local groups once again to establish what support is still available in the county and the guide has been updated. It can be found at the Interactive Community Directory – find out where local warm spaces and community food providers are in the county.

Wiltshire Council Leader, Cllr Richard Clewer, said: “We know that some people will be struggling with the continued cost-of-living crisis, particularly as we head towards winter, and that’s why we’re ensuring that those who need it know where to turn for support. The national financial picture is still rather uncertain, but we’ll continue to keep an eye on the situation and do what we can to help ease that pressure some will be feeling.

“From offering support through our friendly library service, providing expert advice and signposting through our Wellbeing Hub, or supporting local projects through the Household Support Fund – we’ll be there for those who need us.”

A range of support, advice and guidance can be found at
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living.