04 Dec Advice and support available over Christmas

Winter is a time dreaded by many people because of the inevitable plunging temperatures, soaring bills, and other expenses, such as Christmas.

So far, except for a few days when Storm Bert blew in sending thermometer plunging, temperatures have remained relatively mild and the heating mostly switched off, but we know what is around the corner.

For the third winter in a row, energy prices have risen, mainly as a result of the war in Ukraine, and then, of course, there is the controversial decision to cut the Winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest of pensioners.

Whatever your thoughts on the latter, the fact remains that a great many people in the Bay, young and old alike have to make some tough decisions when it comes to keeping their homes comfortable.

It is a tragic reality for some families that they have to choose between heating the house, putting food on the table and buying presents for each other. A tough choice when children are involved.

But there are things that can be done and our Community Builders have been training in ways of Beating the Freeze and are now armed with a great deal of helpful, cost-cutting and cost-saving knowledge.

If you are one of those who are worried about what the coming months might bring, a good starting point may be to have a chat with your local Community Builders.

In the words of one of my colleagues, Si Langridge: “Our Community Builders have been working with a charity called ECOE whose aim is to help local people reduce their energy bills. ECOE is an award-winning energy advice organisation, saving residents more than £2.2 million last year and saving 600 tonnes of carbon. In this way, it helps you and the planet.

“ECOE provides free, impartial advice on energy savings for low-income people who receive welfare benefits, have children under five in the household or adults over 65, or have a long-term illness or disability.

“Through their impartial advice, ECOE can help you save money on energy with great information and support around reducing heat loss and improving efficiency in your home.

“ECOE have a fantastic track record of saving individual homes hundreds of pounds. They can help with changing suppliers or tariffs and applying for discounts, energy and water-saving tips and advice, installing free energy-saving measures, heating controls and smart meters, benefits checks and debt advice, grants for insulation and heating, fuel vouchers and crisis support, and signing up to the priority services register.

For more information contact ECOE:  Email – [email protected], 08007723617 or www.ecoe.org.uk.

We have also been running a series of events called the Big Exchange, where you can bring unwanted items such as clothes, toys, books, games, plants, seeds and home produce and swap them for things that you do want (sorry, no electrical items or furniture) thereby saving money.

Alongside these sessions (sorry you missed the ones at Barton, Paignton and the first one in Brixham), there are more in the pipeline next Monday 9^th December 3pm-5pm at Kenneth Court in Shiphay on Saturday 14^th December 10am-1pm at Preston Baptist Church in Preston.

Do not suffer in silence, there are lots of charitable agencies in the Bay that are on hand to provide you with the help that you need, so please reach out.

The Torbay Community Helpline boasts quite rightly, one call that’s all, because they can quickly put you in touch with the support you need.

It has now been running for four and a half years and whilst it was set up to help with the COVID crisis, it has evolved to become a one-stop shop for anything and everything and is a gateway to all sorts of services both statutory and charitable

Our friendly call handlers, some volunteers some paid, but most importantly, all part of a dedicated team, can signpost you to help with finances, food, loneliness and much more.

They are there all year, but are braced for an increase in calls in the lead-up to the festive period and are ready to help. Make a note of the number now – 01803 446022.