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With the high cost of living, some people may be worried about turning on their heating to stay warm and paying higher energy bills.
To help, volunteers have been working across North Somerset to ensure people in our communities are cared for and stay warm. Thank you for all you do.
More than 65 community living rooms have now been set up in our area, places where people can go to meet others, enjoy refreshments and keep warm.
They are safe, welcoming and non-judgemental spaces to come together.
Find your local one using the map on our website.
Next week we’ll update the opening hours of these community living rooms over the festive period, where we have them. Keep an eye on the website for details.
Top tips to cope during colder weather:
- check-in with friends, family and neighbours who may be vulnerable to the cold, especially those who are older, living alone or have serious illnesses, to make sure they’re managing to stay warm. Could you offer to pick up shopping or medication, or walk their dog?
- try and keep rooms to at least 18C. Tucking curtains behind radiators will help trap in the heat, and moving furniture away from radiators will let the warm air circulate
- have plenty of hot food and drinks and aim to have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day – tinned and frozen count
- layer up – wear a few thin layers rather than one thick one
- when indoors, try not to sit still for too long – get up and stretch your legs every hour
- avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold related illness or falls.
It’s also important to look after your mental as well as physical wellbeing, especially during these short days and long winter nights.
There is a round-up of ideas and links to different agencies on our website.
Cases of domestic abuse also increase at this time of year. It will never be tolerated, no matter how difficult or unusual the circumstances.
For a round-up of local support services and discussion forums, visit the Safer Stronger North Somerset website.
If you need support for yourself or someone else, call Next Link on 0800 4700 280 or access the live chat facility online.
In an emergency call 999. If you can’t speak, press 55 when prompted
Don’t wait too long to get help with rising costs
Support is available help you through this cost of living crisis so please don’t wait if you need it.
For a round-up of support and guidance, visit our website. It includes help with bills, childcare costs, housing support, energy and heating advice and how to access the welfare provision scheme for short-term financial help (if eligible).
Lots of groups have been set up in villages across the area to help support local people, as part of North Somerset Together. Look on our website for details of your local one.
A fact sheet with a summary of local services and charities offering help to those in crisis is also available through KeySteps.
If you’re struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, please contact your landlord or mortgage lender to let them know. It’s the first step to getting things sorted and they may be able to help you.
Please ask for help sooner rather than later.
If you rent your home, visit the National Debtline website to see if you can claim any help with your housing costs.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to help with any rent top up.
If you’ve got a mortgage, check to see if you have insurance cover. Contact your lender and ask if extending your mortgage term or switching to an interest only mortgage might be helpful for you. If you’re entitled to certain government benefits you may also be able to apply for Support for Mortgage Interest.
If you’re threatened with homelessness because of rent or mortgage arrears, contact our homeless prevention team for the most appropriate support and advice.
Use a free online calculator to find out if you’re entitled to any extra benefits to boost your income.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, Citizens Advice North Somerset is on-hand to offer free, impartial and confidential advice.
It has outreach locations across North Somerset and has recently opened a new advice shop in the Sovereign in Weston-super-Mare.
This is open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, on an appointment-only basis. Complete an online referral form on its website.
You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest. You’ll be paid £25 if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
If you’re on a low income or pension credit you might be entitled to the Warm Home Discount scheme, which takes money off your electricity bill.
If you were born before 26 September 1956, you might be able to get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills through the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Energy Saving Trust also has some quick tips on ways to save energy and useful leaflets, covering topics such as condensation, damp and low-energy lighting.
Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, sends out weekly emails with the latest advice.
Food
Food banks may help you if you’re struggling with having enough money to buy food. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
There are food banks in Clevedon, Nailsea, Pill, Portishead and Weston and you can get a voucher from your doctor, health visitor, social worker or family support worker. Find links to them on our website.
There’s also information on the Better Health North Somerset website about local community fridges, food clubs, tips to save money on your food bill and whether a child is eligible for free school meals.
The Too Good To Go app is also a way to get food at a great price and avoid wastage.
We believe no child should go hungry during term time or in the school holidays.
If you’re struggling to provide meals for your children, the welfare provision scheme will provide support.
It’s designed to help if you’re unable to meet short-term needs in a crisis, and could help pay for gas or electricity, food, clothing, travel and more.
The amount you will get will depend on your individual circumstances and you can apply twice in any 12-month period.
Children and young people who get benefits-related free school meals are also eligible for lots of activities across North Somerset this winter.
Sessions in the North Somerset Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) programme are funded by the Department for Education.
Find activities on offer this winter and book through our website.