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 Keep your money safe – avoid loan sharks on Facebook Share Keep your money safe – avoid loan sharks on Twitter Share Keep your money safe – avoid loan sharks on Linkedin Email Keep your money safe – avoid loan sharks link
Keep your money safe – avoid loan sharks
More than 1 million people in England are in debt to loan sharks. Knowing the signs can help you protect yourself and your money.
A loan shark is an illegal money lender who isn’t authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They don’t follow the rules designed to protect borrowers and can charge whatever they like.
They may seem friendly at first, offering to lend you money when you need it most — but this can quickly lead to serious problems such as threats, intimidation or even violence.
Warning signs to watch out for
You could be dealing with a... Continue reading
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Share Claim your unused TV Licence Savings Stamps refund before 31 December 2026 on Facebook Share Claim your unused TV Licence Savings Stamps refund before 31 December 2026 on Twitter Share Claim your unused TV Licence Savings Stamps refund before 31 December 2026 on Linkedin Email Claim your unused TV Licence Savings Stamps refund before 31 December 2026 link
Claim your unused TV Licence Savings Stamps refund before 31 December 2026
If you have old TV Licence Savings Stamps, you may be able to claim a refund — but the deadline is 31 December 2026.
These stamps can no longer be used to pay for a licence, but they can still be refunded if claimed in time.
If you think you might still have some TV Licence Savings Stamps, please:
- Check drawers, books, folders or boxes where savings stamps may have been kept
- Look out for small rectangular “TV Licence” stamps showing a monetary value (often orange, brown, green or blue)
- Submit a refund claim as soon as possible
More information
... Continue reading
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Share Free creative workshop - collecting women's stories through zines on Facebook Share Free creative workshop - collecting women's stories through zines on Twitter Share Free creative workshop - collecting women's stories through zines on Linkedin Email Free creative workshop - collecting women's stories through zines link
Free creative workshop - collecting women's stories through zines
Crafting and creative activities can be expensive. If you’d like to try something creative and be part of a special project collecting women’s stories, come along to a free zine-making workshop.
At the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to handmake a zine (a self-published book) where your thoughts, drawings, stitches, photos and notes can come together, with help from workshop facilitators.
The workshops are for adults, but you don’t need to be an artist to join in.
The workshops will be held at Crosshatch Art Workshops and Makerspace in Winsford Cross Shopping Centre. You need to attend both events to... Continue reading
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Share Essential family support from Koala North West on Facebook Share Essential family support from Koala North West on Twitter Share Essential family support from Koala North West on Linkedin Email Essential family support from Koala North West link
Essential family support from Koala North West
Koala North West offer essential support for families and children across Wirral, Cheshire and Liverpool. They cover everything from family support, early years support and special educational needs and disabilities support (SEND), to sleep support.
Koala North West believe in making sure that families stay in control and have the tools they need to build confidence and skills.
If you are a parent, grandparent or carer living in Cheshire West, you can access Koala North West's services. They have a team of staff & peer support volunteers who offer direct support to families, including:
- trained parent peer support volunteers
- trained... Continue reading
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Share Low-cost, nutritious food from The Bread and Butter Thing on Facebook Share Low-cost, nutritious food from The Bread and Butter Thing on Twitter Share Low-cost, nutritious food from The Bread and Butter Thing on Linkedin Email Low-cost, nutritious food from The Bread and Butter Thing link
Low-cost, nutritious food from The Bread and Butter Thing
The Bread and Butter Thing run mobile food clubs which bring affordable and nutritious food to local communities.
Everyone is welcome at the mobile food clubs – there is no eligibility criteria. Pop along to one of the Cheshire West hubs for a low-cost weekly food shop including fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.
There are four hubs in Cheshire West, including three in Ellesmere Port and one in Blacon. Visit The Bread and Butter Thing’s website to see an up-to-date list of locations:
Become a Member | Join Today – Save on Groceries — The Bread... Continue reading
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Share Her-Place Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Free Laundrette on Facebook Share Her-Place Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Free Laundrette on Twitter Share Her-Place Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Free Laundrette on Linkedin Email Her-Place Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Free Laundrette link
Her-Place Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Free Laundrette
Her-Place, a Cheshire-based women’s charity, run a Community Share Hub to support families by providing free essentials which have been donated by the local community.
There’s no referral needed and no questions asked. Everything is free – the aim is to support families while also promoting sustainability and environmental impact, by keeping good-quality items in use and reducing waste.
Items available from the Community Share Hub include:
- school uniforms (primary and secondary branded and unbranded items)
- children’s coats and other seasonal clothing (world book day costumes, prom dresses, etc.)
- baby support (up to 2 years) including baby clothing bundles, baby... Continue reading
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Share Free and confidential support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm on Facebook Share Free and confidential support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm on Twitter Share Free and confidential support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm on Linkedin Email Free and confidential support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm link
Free and confidential support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm
Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT) offer free and confidential specialist support for anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling-related harm. Accessible for anyone aged 16 and above, for the person gambling or anyone affected by the gambling of somebody else. There is no waiting list with support provided face to face, online and by telephone. Individuals can self-refer by calling 0151 226 0696, visiting www.beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk or emailing support@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
BCT also offer free training for professionals working in helping roles with the 'Bet You Can Help' programme. A first aid approach for tackling gambling-related harm with either a 90-minute introductory session... Continue reading -
Share The Very Green Grocery on Facebook Share The Very Green Grocery on Twitter Share The Very Green Grocery on Linkedin Email The Very Green Grocery link
The Very Green Grocery
Our social supermarkets were created with a mission to rescue perfectly good food from going to waste. We collect excess/surplus food from manufacturers, suppliers, distribution companies and supermarkets using our vans and then pass this stock on by offering it to our communities at a very pocket friendly price through our social supermarkets. Everything from fruit, vegetables, bakery items, cupboard staples, freezer goodies and more.
The grocery is for everyone. If you’re on a tight budget, get given food bank tokens, passionate about food waste or just looking for your ‘filler’ shop throughout the week at a good price, then... Continue reading
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Share Neston Community & Youth Centre – providing services for local people on Facebook Share Neston Community & Youth Centre – providing services for local people on Twitter Share Neston Community & Youth Centre – providing services for local people on Linkedin Email Neston Community & Youth Centre – providing services for local people link
Neston Community & Youth Centre – providing services for local people
Neston Community & Youth Centre (NCYC) is a Neston based charity that delivers and supports services for local people. We operate Neston Community Centre and Neston Civic Hall.
Our mission: Everyone in our community is able to live healthy, fulfilled and connected lives.
We deliver the following services
- Hospital Discharge Support: for CH64 postcode residents aged over 55 in a Wirral Hospital. Providing low level support to help you return home smoothly.
- Social Prescribing: for any patients of the Neston and Willaston Primary Care Network (this includes Neston Surgery, Neston Medical Centre and Willaston Surgery). Support to help you have... Continue reading
Sign up to the Cost of Living Support e-newsletter
Leaflets to share and print
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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The Employment Directions service supports adults with a physical or mental health condition to find a job, manage a health condition in work, or return to work after a period off sick.
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This new community café is more than just a café, it's a fabulous place to meet new people and enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat.
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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.