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 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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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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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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Thrive to Survive
Thrive to Survive is a support service where we advocate and support families and vulnerable women living in Ellesmere Port and Elton who are experiencing financial hardship or crisis. We believe everyone should be able to thrive and not have to simply just survive.
It all started with a cup of tea and a chat! We got chatting about the current struggles people are facing in our local area and realised that there was a need to advocate and support people that are falling through the gaps and struggling to access support. Each member of Thrive to Survive has experience... Continue reading -
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GGO Community Group supports Winsford residents
The GGO Community Group of Winsford welcomes everybody and anybody. We are a community group run entirely by volunteers, providing a range of support and fun activities for the local community. From food bank referrals to groups and activities for all ages.We are located at Finsbury Walk on the St John’s estate, in two bungalows generously provided by Weaver Vale Housing Trust.
Food Bank and food support
Key to our success is the partnership we have with local food banks which enable us to distribute essential supplies into the community. This is a referral-based service, and if you need... Continue reading -
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Social Prescribing and how it could help you
GPs and other health care professionals, with the support of a link worker, can refer you to a range of non-clinical services to help you to explore ways to improve your overall sense of health and wellbeing and make positive lifestyle changes – this is known as Social Prescribing.
A Social Prescriber (also known as a link worker) can give you time to focus on what matters to you. They can connect you to groups, activities and services in your community enabling you to meet your practical, social, and emotional needs.
The approach of social prescribing works well for people... Continue reading
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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
Sign up to the Cost of Living Support e-newsletter
Leaflets - Walking Further Together, Helping Hand to the Support You Need and How We Live Training
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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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.
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Watch to see the repair café in action and meet the people involved in this great project.