As we head into the Winter months many families are concerned about not only struggling to afford Christmas presents but worried about feeding their family, fueling the car, and keeping the house warm.
Today organisations such as Money Buddies, Leeds City Council Financial Inclusion team, members of the council, and others gathered at the Leeds Civic Hall for a Debt and poverty forum to discuss how as individual organisations, they can support the public during this financially straining time, but also how they can work together to provide the maximum support. The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone and even food banks are struggling to keep food on their shelves.
The conference focuses on issues such as debt, food, fuel, mortgages and housing, benefits, and winter warmth. Where everyone can share their ideas on these areas and how we can improve the support available at this time of need.
During the conference members of the organisation shared top tips for staying warm and keeping the costs down.
The top 5 tips for keeping down fuel prices in Winter are:
- To batch cook curries – curries with spices keep the food good for longer
- Exercise to keep warm
- Use blankets under doors to stop drafts
- Use tin foil behind radiators to lock in the heat
- Share ovens in neighborhoods (Big ovens can fit multiple meals for different families)
With some special guest speakers, Councillor Mary Harland and Fiona Venner, CEO of Money buddies, Sylvia Simpson, former Councilor and anti-poverty campaigner John Battle advocating for indivudal organisations.
John Battle is a former member of Parliament for Leeds West for 23 years and set up Chuch Action on Poverty. He spoke about how the cost of living crisis and increasing demand for help regarding finances are putting strain on those who support the public.
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One of the suggestions was that fuel companies should join water companies in allowing caps and payment plans for direct debit account holders to help low income families or anyone struggling to pay their gas and electric bills.
A spokesperson for Leeds Building Society said, ” We have extended the working hours so that there is accessible support for those who work 9-5 jobs and can’t access the usual phone helpline times.” This extension comes as people are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage with the cost of living crisis.
Members of the Leeds City Council Financial Inclusion team spoke about how the Warm Spaces campaign has been really helpful and the release of the easy-to-follow map with the locations of all the warm spaces is making it easier for those in need during the cost of living crisis.
See below the warm spaces map for just some of the central locations for free warm spaces.
Following today’s forum, the organisations involved hope to see an increase in the number of people accepting help from things like food banks, and debt advisors as there has always been a stigma in things related to financial struggles however as the financial strain gets worse people may be left with no other option.
To help with food banks and donate, or to get advice go to The Leeds Food Aid website.
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