Inspiring change together
Many residents across the borough are struggling to afford everything they need to live well. This platform is a safe space for stories, advice and tips that will support and inspire others through the rising cost of living.
On Inspiring change together, you can read about what your community and the Council are doing to support everyone through the cost of living crisis. Your voice is important, so please consider sharing your advice, a service that’s helped you, or an inspiring story to give a helping hand to other people in your community.
What you can do on Inspiring change together:
- Share a story on the 'Your stories' tab
- See our recent news articles on food support, debt advice, mental health, and more in the 'Our stories' section
- Find food banks, Resident Assistance Points, Work Zones and more in your local area using our Map tool
- View useful links and resources to access support for the rising cost of living
- Read the questions and answers to learn more about available support
- Sign up to the Cost of Living Support e-newsletter to get practical advice and information straight to your inbox every month.
Your stories
This is a safe space for stories and blogs. We want to hear about what you’ve been doing to help people, a great affordable recipe you've tried, or the support you've received that could help others. These are the words of our residents and community organisations.
Before sharing your story, please read our guide on 'How to share a story.'
Please remember this is a public space, so you shouldn't share any personal information about yourself or others without their permission.
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Share Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) on Facebook Share Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) on Twitter Share Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) on Linkedin Email Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) link
Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB)
Hello there!We are the Green Uniform and Baby Bank, but you can call us GUBB. We are a non-profit, volunteer led organisation, based in Winsford, who help people with the living costs associated with their young families. Emma Ball is our Founder and Director, and is supported by co-Directors Vanessa Tobin and Michelle Hawthorne, along with our team of volunteers.
We started life over 5 years ago in a cupboard in a Dinner Lady’s home in Winsford. Our Emma, as a mother to four, realised that when her growing children needed the next size school uniform, there was nowhere... Continue reading
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Share Period Dignity on Facebook Share Period Dignity on Twitter Share Period Dignity on Linkedin Email Period Dignity link
Period Dignity
At Motherwell Cheshire, we’ve always believed that no girl or woman should have to worry about their period or not be able to afford the essential items they need. So, we have recently launched our Period Dignity campaign.
Since the campaign began in 2023, we’ve received a constant stream of requests for items, from sports clubs or local groups wanting supplies.
We provide several different supply options - we have period bags, these in the main go to local sports clubs. The bags include period items, hygiene wipes, hair bobbles, a hairbrush, deodorant etc. We can also provide our grab... Continue reading -
Share OPAL (Older People Active Lives) on Facebook Share OPAL (Older People Active Lives) on Twitter Share OPAL (Older People Active Lives) on Linkedin Email OPAL (Older People Active Lives) link
OPAL (Older People Active Lives)
OPAL Services together provide many and various social connections for no, or at a minimum, cost and are proving to be a big help to older people and carers in the current economic climate.
OPAL offers a whole range of support to older people and their carers living in rural parts of west Cheshire. Our services offer opportunities for people to socialise in settings that are local and accessible to them and are warm and inviting.
We also support older people and carers in accessing the internet safely and thus potentially obtaining the most advantageous deals when making purchases online... Continue reading
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Share Hoole CE Primary School’s Uniform Union and Story Shack on Facebook Share Hoole CE Primary School’s Uniform Union and Story Shack on Twitter Share Hoole CE Primary School’s Uniform Union and Story Shack on Linkedin Email Hoole CE Primary School’s Uniform Union and Story Shack link
Hoole CE Primary School’s Uniform Union and Story Shack
We set up the Uniform Union and Story Shack in September 2023 to make sure that all our pupils had the same access to uniform, and the opportunity to loan educational games and books to enjoy at home with their family.To begin with we purchased a cabin online, which was installed during the summer break by our site manager. This was the only financial outlay by the school as all items of clothing, books and games are donated. Plus, the Uniform Union and Story Shack are run by a dedicated team of parent volunteers.
As well as providing access... Continue reading
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Share Green Doctor - helping residents to stay warm and well, tackling energy bills during the cost of living crisis on Facebook Share Green Doctor - helping residents to stay warm and well, tackling energy bills during the cost of living crisis on Twitter Share Green Doctor - helping residents to stay warm and well, tackling energy bills during the cost of living crisis on Linkedin Email Green Doctor - helping residents to stay warm and well, tackling energy bills during the cost of living crisis link
Green Doctor - helping residents to stay warm and well, tackling energy bills during the cost of living crisis
Green Doctors offer free, impartial advice to help people take control of their bills, save energy in the home and access other services and initiatives available. We work with public and private partners to ensure support reaches those who need it most in local communities.
Our support is available to a wide range of people, many of whom are struggling for the first time so don’t be shy about reaching out for help. In the UK, changes to energy prices and ongoing financial pressures as a result of the cost of living crisis has left many people finding it... Continue reading
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Share KidsBank Chester – offering a helping hand on Facebook Share KidsBank Chester – offering a helping hand on Twitter Share KidsBank Chester – offering a helping hand on Linkedin Email KidsBank Chester – offering a helping hand link
KidsBank Chester – offering a helping hand
Back in 2018, Cathy Pettingale was watching a television interview of a young mother. The young mother talked about being forced to decide whether she should spend her remaining money on food so her children could eat, or heating so her children could keep warm. Overwhelmed with compassion, Cathy was compelled to do something to help families experiencing similar circumstances within her community – that’s when KidsBank Chester was formed, taking the first referral in May 2019.
KidsBank offers support to families with children aged between 0-12 years. Support can be accessed through:
Self-Referral – a family can self-refer... Continue reading -
Share Stay Active 4 Less: Brio’s affordable wellness campaign on Facebook Share Stay Active 4 Less: Brio’s affordable wellness campaign on Twitter Share Stay Active 4 Less: Brio’s affordable wellness campaign on Linkedin Email Stay Active 4 Less: Brio’s affordable wellness campaign link
Stay Active 4 Less: Brio’s affordable wellness campaign
In these challenging times, where the cost of living is on a steady rise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle shouldn't be a luxury. That's where Brio Leisure's Stay Active 4 Less campaign comes into play.
Understanding the financial pressures faced by many, we wanted to demonstrate our continued commitment to the health and wellness of our community. Stay Active 4 Less is not just a campaign, it's a solution designed to keep everyone active and healthy in these financially difficult times.
Firstly, the campaign introduces Exercise 4 Less, offering innovative and free fitness classes that you can enjoy in the... Continue reading
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Share Soul Kitchen helping those in need in Chester on Facebook Share Soul Kitchen helping those in need in Chester on Twitter Share Soul Kitchen helping those in need in Chester on Linkedin Email Soul Kitchen helping those in need in Chester link
Soul Kitchen helping those in need in Chester
Soul Kitchen is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who are committed to supporting those who are homeless, in temporary accommodation, or who are generally struggling due to the rising cost of living and other life experiences.
Our ethos is to help people get back on their feet through food and friendship. Building up relationships and trust is key to our success.
We provide a weekly drop-in provision at Campbell Hall, Boughton (opposite The Bike Factory) on a Saturday evening between 5pm and 6.30pm. A warm welcome and a friendly face awaits anyone and everyone who is in need... Continue reading
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Share Mid Cheshire Foodbank on Facebook Share Mid Cheshire Foodbank on Twitter Share Mid Cheshire Foodbank on Linkedin Email Mid Cheshire Foodbank link
Mid Cheshire Foodbank
Mid Cheshire Foodbank provides food support for those in emergency food crisis. To receive a food parcel, you need to be referred to the foodbank. Most community-based groups are referrers such as schools, doctors, churches etc.
After receiving one or two food parcels, it’s important that the referral comes via a referral agency such as Cheshire West and Chester Council (CW&C) HELP team, Weaver Vale Housing Trust (if you are a tenant), or Citizens Advice Northwich / Winsford. Referral agencies can provide advice on finances and also signpost you to other support services to address the underlying causes that have... Continue reading
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Questions & answers
- What support is available in Cheshire West?
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Questions about financial support
- I’m struggling to pay my bills, where can I get help?
- Where can I get support if I have exceptional needs or require emergency funding?
- How do I check if I’m getting the benefits I’m entitled to?
- Do I need to be receiving benefits to apply for the Household Support Fund?
- If I apply for the Household Support Fund, will it affect my benefits?
- Where can I go to get free or affordable food?
- If I’m worried about money, how can I look after my mental health?
- What does ‘lived experience’ mean?
Videos
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A new, community laundrette is open at the New Images Youth and Community Centre on Nixon Drive, Winsford and is free to use.
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Severn Trent Water has several ‘help to pay’ schemes available to anyone struggling to pay their bill or with additional needs.
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Let’s Talk sites offer residents an opportunity to have a face to face conversation about their health and wellbeing and are also a place where people can go for practical advice and guidance
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Reaching out for help can feel daunting. Hear from people who overcame those fears and who received a positive and welcoming response to their request for support.