Cost of Living Update – Bulletin 2 – Redditch & Bromsgrove

Cost of Living Update – Bulletin 2

Household Support Fund – Phase 3 **OPEN**

Eligible Redditch and Bromsgrove residents who are struggling with the cost of household essentials can get help with food and household costs and there are 2 ways they can apply:

**NOW OPEN for New Applications**  Act on Energy –  help with energy costs, energy debt, broken heating systems etc

This scheme has been reopened and offers qualifying residents across Worcestershire support with their energy costs, fuel debt and where required, assistance to replace broken boilers and heating systems, subject to funding.  Eligibility criteria for support is not restricted to solely vulnerable households in receipt of benefits, but criteria will be applied for the different elements of support on offer.  Further information can be found online at:  WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND (actonenergy.org.uk). Residents can apply online or by calling 0800 988 2881.

**NOW OPEN for New Applications**  Citizens Advice Bromsgrove and Redditch – help with food and other essentials

If you are working with residents that are struggling and need support with food and wider essentials, they can apply to the Household Support Fund Information | Citizens Advice Bromsgrove and Redditch (cabr.org.uk).  Citizens Advice Bromsgrove and Redditch are working closely with Bromsgrove District and Redditch Brough Councils to provide this support.   Bromsgrove residents can apply here: Bromsgrove Household Support Fund and Redditch residents can apply here: Redditch Household Support Fund 

Leaflets & Digital Campaign – Please help spread the word!

Bromsgrove & Redditch Cost of Living Webpages & Leaflets

For those who missed it, please find attached a copy of the joint Bromsgrove and Redditch cost of living leaflets.  Printed copies are available at Customer Services at both Redditch Town Hall and Parkside in Bromsgrove which you can collect and distribute to your service users.  There are cost of living webpages on both Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils’ websites too at: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/costofliving and www.redditchbc.gov.uk/costofliving.  See something missing on the webpages?  Let us know as they can be updated anytime.

Financial Support Leaflets – one for Redditch and one for Bromsgrove

A reminder that these leaflets are in addition to the joint cost of living leaflets and contain more detailed information about help that is available locally.  A printable and a website version can be found attached.

Warm Spaces & Community Meals – including Christmas Day!

Local Warm Spaces (and Christmas Day meals)

In addition to the warm spaces identified in the last bulletin, we wanted to share the latest information that has been confirmed.  This includes those offering food, including on Christmas Day:

*New* (and in no particular order…)

Warm Welcome in Rubery

Please find attached a leaflet which contains all the warm space offer in Rubery. The Monday to Sunday provision offers places to go whether you are looking for a friendly chat, a free cuppa or simply a comfortable way to spend a few quiet hours.

Radiate Redditch – Ecumenical Centre

A warm welcome is open to all at the Ecumenical Centre’s Christmas Hub – Evesham Walk, Redditch Town Centre. The hub will be open from 11-3pm from Saturday 24^th December until Friday 30^th December and will provide free hot drinks, snacks, and a lunchtime meal (12.30-1.30pm) as well as conversation and entertainment.

Their door will also be open for a Christmas Day lunch, turkey with all the trimmings (vegetarian option available) Christmas Day is bookable, please contact Sarah Leeson or Sharon Forrest on 01527 65952.

Oasis Christian Centre

The Oasis Christian Centre, Redditch is now signed up to Warm Spaces. Their availability is Mondays 10am to 12pm and Sunday mornings at the service times, between 10am and 12.30pm.

All Saints’ Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove

The Church hall will be opening their doors every Wednesday from 2.00 to 3.30 pm (Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove,  B60 1AC) for anyone who would like some company in a warm space, as well as a hot drink and a biscuit or cake.

Seetec Pluss – Warm Space at Parkside  

Seetec Pluss, based in Parkside in Bromsgrove, who deliver the Restart Scheme locally, are opening their doors every Friday from 1.30 – 3.30pm and are offering hot drinks and refreshments, a place to charge up your phone, digital facilities as well as the opportunity to book an appointment with National Careers Service. See the attached flyer for full details.

Wythall Warm Hub Network

The Wythall Warm Hub Network is now up and running,  full details are attached including the Christmas and New Year hours.

Catshill – Warm Spaces

Please find attached an updated leaflet with details of Catshill’s warm welcome offer.

Charford Fish Bar

A FREE Christmas Day Meal is being offered to Charford residents (wider Bromsgrove residents can be included too) who may be on their own or need a helping hand.  If you or someone you know would like a chip shop meal on Christmas Day between 12-2pm. Collection or delivery available, please call or text 07563 789 176 to book. The following options are available, doner kebab meat and chips or sausage and chips and curry sauce.

Barnt Green Warm Spaces

Please find attached a flyer providing details of the warm spaces that will be available in Barnt Green throughout January and February 2023.

Christmas Meal for Older People in Bromsgrove – *Limited Places*

Do you know of any older people who would like to join an Intergenerational Christmas Meal on Saturday 10 December 12-3pm that is being organised by young people from the Bromsgrove Youth and Community Hub?  Places are limited and are offered on a first come, first serve basis so be quick!!  Further details are attached.

Churches Together in Redditch

Redditch Churches are offering a warm welcome in a warm space with a variety of activities and clubs, many with food and drink provision. Please see the attached booklet for full details.

Shared Previously

Weekly Community Meal at Bromsgrove Baptist Church

Local residents are being offered a warm welcome and free meal in a friendly environment.  The meals are available every Thursday (during term time) at 7:30pm at the Bromsgrove Baptist Church. There is no need to book, you can just turn up, but if it’s a larger group, it would be helpful to let them know in advance. Further information can be found on the attached leaflet.

The church is also running “The Coffee Pot” on the third Thursday in the month from 10.30am-12.00 noon, serving tea, coffee, cakes, and light refreshments which might be suitable for people who don’t or can’t go out in the evening.

St Godwald’s Community Spirit

Please find attached a leaflet with details of the warm space offering from St Godwald’s Church in Bromsgrove that will run between November to March. Tea, coffee, and cake will be available on alternate Friday’s from 10am-12.30pm.  On alternate Wednesdays, the Warm Welcome Café will be open from 12-3pm offering soup and a roll, tea and coffee.

Local libraries across Worcestershire

The libraries are registered with the ‘Warm Welcome Network’ and are continuing to offer warm, welcoming spaces for residents to access free services, find information and support, take part in events and activities, and connect with other people. Full details can be found attached.

Local Warm Spaces – Do you know of any others?

If you do set a warm space up or know of any others in Redditch and / or Bromsgrove or have any other plans in relation to supporting local residents during this time, please do let us know so we can raise awareness of the work you’re doing. We can share with other agencies who can signpost to you and local residents.  Our email is: .

Warm Welcome Network

The Warm Welcome Network was set up to support and champion the community response to the cost-of-living crisis. Any organisation that has opened or is opening free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter can register and provide details of their offer so that users can search for local warm spaces in their area.

Thinking of setting up a Warm Space?

Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert has created a guide: A Warm Welcome, setting up a warm space in your community. This comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information needed if you are considering setting up a warm space in the community.

Looking for Funding?

Information on relevant funding is available at: Cost of living Crisis charity trust foundation grant funding (charityexcellence.co.uk)

Food Bank Opening Hours

Staff and Volunteers will be taking a much needed break over the Christmas period – please see details below from three of the main foodbanks locally:

NewStarts

NewStarts will be CLOSED between Christmas and the New Year.  NewStarts Facebook page and emails will be checked for any requests.

Catshill Baptist Church

The last session before Christmas will be Wednesday 21st December between 10:30 – 12:30, the foodbank will then be CLOSED on Wednesday 28th December.  The first session in the New Year is Wednesday 4th January 10:30 to 12:30.

Redditch Food Bank

Redditch food bank is CLOSED on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December and Monday 2nd January. Normal opening hours for all other dates.

Would you like to donate to a Foodbank?

There are lots of ways to donate to our local foodbanks, one way is to drop your donations in at Redditch Library, Redditch Town Hall or at Parkside in Bromsgrove.  This collection is running from Monday 5 December to Friday 16 December and will be distributed to a number of our local foodbanks, including the three above.

Not sure what to donate?  Attached is a Wishlist we’ve obtained from some of our foodbanks to give you some ideas!

Other Help and Information

Libraries – Cost of Living Books

Libraries have stocked up on a wide range of books that may help be of help to families. The books range from financial support, cooking on a budget, grown your own fruit and veg through to recycling and repairing items in the home. The full range of books that are available can be found on the list attached.

Ofcom Social Tariffs

Please find attached a flyer that gives details of social tariffs which are cheaper broadband packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and some other benefits. They’re reliable, fast enough for most customers and easy to switch to.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme for winter 2022 to 2023 aims to take £150 off electricity bills for those with high energy costs and low incomes. Full details and eligibility criteria can be found on the attached leaflet.

Also, did you know that energy network operators and energy billing companies run have Priority Service Registers (PSR)?  PSRs give extra help and support to those who need it most. Signing up is free and easy to do. Further details are attached.

Adult Learning – Stretch your money further using your smartphone

This course is running at some of the libraries, including Bromsgrove Library, and is aimed at those who need help to improve their cost of living by using the capabilities of their mobile phone or tablet, including avoiding scams.  Courses are running now and again in the New Year.  Further details are attached or can be found here:  Smartphone Skills (worcestershire.gov.uk)

Loan Shark Campaign

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is concerned that ruthless loan sharks will try to cash in on the festive period as many families struggle to cope with rising food, fuel and energy bills this winter. The latest campaign #SleighNoToLoanSharks will help spread the message about the risks of illegal lending and how people can access support. Attached is a national press release which can be adapted for local audiences, a referral form to report loan sharks and social media resources can be downloaded from the website here.  There is also FREE training  available for your staff and volunteers, simply contact Nadeem to find out more: