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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Tips to save money on your food
Cracking Good Food, campaigns against food waste and supports communities to access healthy food. Here are some tips on how to make nutritious dishes while also saving money.
Save money on your food shop- Make sure to check your cupboards, fridge, and freezer and eat before you go shopping so you don’t buy items you don’t need
- If you go grocery shopping in the evening, you can usually find lots of good options in the reduced section for a bargain price. Look for the yellow ‘Reduced’ stickers, particularly on long shelf-life cupboard products such as dried pasta, canned vegetables etc... Continue reading
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Ellesmere Port - The Bread and Butter Thing
The Bread and Butter Thing is a charity that provides affordable and good-quality food to people in local communities. Recently we have opened a third hub in west Cheshire where people can sign up to get a low-cost weekly shop including essentials like fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.
The new hub at St Saviour Church, Tarporley Road, Ellesmere Port, CH66 3JY is open on Mondays between 2pm and 2.30pm.
To access the food on offer, you need to become a member, which is simple and easy to do. Send a text to 07860 063 304 with... Continue reading
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Claim your Pension Credit entitlement now
Hello everyone, I am Gus Cairns MBE, and I would like to give old people like me (76) a little push in the direction of Pension Credit which is a way of boosting your pensions.
Pension Credit is an extra payment to help with your living costs if you’re over state pension age and on a low income. It tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed level of £201.05 if you’re single or £306.85 if you’re married or in a civil partnership.
Pension Credit can not only help you cover your day to day living costs, but it can... Continue reading
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Get affordable food from Blacon Beacon
Blacon Beacon offer food, advice, and support to the local community. If you need affordable food, live in Blacon and receive benefits, why not join the Blacon Beacon?
Food membership
With a family membership, you could receive approximately £30 worth of food per week for just £5 per week. Individual members pay £3 per week and receive approximately £17 worth of food. Blacon Beacon provide quality tinned and cupboard items as well as fresh produce, to be collected from Trinity Hall each Thursday.
To become a member, all you need to do is fill out a simple form, which will... Continue reading
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Weaver Vale Housing Trust Support Services - Energy Debt top tips
Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Weaver Vale Housing Trust is here to help you if you're worried about money or struggling to pay your bills. The teams offer personalised advice and support because everyone's circumstances are different.
Making contact is the first step to helping with any money worries and they are committed to giving you the advice and practical support you need.
For more information on support services, call: 0300 303 9848 and ask for the Rent Support Team. They will help you find out which services you can access.
We have a number of dedicated support teams including Money... Continue reading
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Find food support near you
If you're looking for food support in your area, take a look at the live, interactive map on the Welcome Network website.
The map brings all services together in one place, so it's easy for you to find support near you or signpost friends and family to the right place.
Volunteering
Volunteers play a key role in these food groups and other charitable organisations. The Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) volunteering platform highlights the range of opportunities available for those wanting to support their local community.
Volunteering is flexible and you can often find a role to... Continue reading
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Find community projects near you - Lache Larder
There are lots of community projects available across the borough that are there to support people who are facing financial hardship. Many of these projects have been created through the Cheshire West Crowd, a crowdfunding initiative run by the Council, working with Spacehive. Spacehive is a crowdfunding platform that community projects use to raise money for their campaigns.
Lache Larder
One of these projects is the Lache Larder, a resident-run social supermarket that offers affordable, fresh food while also helping the environment by reducing food waste. You can go along during opening hours and get good-quality produce at a low... 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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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.
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Watch to see the repair café in action and meet the people involved in this great project.