Inspiring change together

Expect a warm welcome when visiting one of many Welcoming Spaces across the borough

Welcoming Spaces are available to all residents of Cheshire West. They offer a safe and warm welcoming space where people can connect with others in their community and make new friends.

The network of Welcoming Spaces includes Council libraries, churches, community centres and more.

The Council’s libraries team have been welcoming thousands of people into libraries this year, providing residents with an opportunity to use free library services and take part in activities.

Library information and opening hours are available on the Council’s website.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/findalibrary

Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, Councillor Lisa Denson, said: “It’s important that during these colder months, everyone has a warm place to go to, particularly if they’re struggling with the rising cost of energy bills.

“Welcoming Spaces are for everyone. They are also there for people who may be feeling alone or isolated, and who fancy a change of scenery from their own home. It’s a great opportunity to meet others in your community for a nice friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee.”

To find your nearest Welcoming Space, visit: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#map

The Council continues to work with Cheshire Community Action and the wider voluntary and community sector, to explore opportunities to expand the network of Welcoming Spaces and provide additional support services to residents.

A Welcoming Spaces Fund for the year 2023-24 has now launched, aimed at creating warm inclusive spaces for residents facing cost of living challenges. Grants of up to £2,500 are available to organisations wishing to set up a Welcoming Space for their local community.

More information including details of the application process can be found using the link below.
https://cheshireaction.org.uk/category/news/

Final application deadline: 1 March 2024

The fund is administered by Cheshire Community Action on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Help is at hand for anyone needing support with their mental health in Cheshire West and Chester this winter.

From text message support to urgent helplines, there are a variety of ways to access advice and support for yourself, a friend, or a family member.

“Anyone can need support at any time,” said Cllr Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health).

“This time of year in particular can be difficult for many, with miserable weather, dark nights drawing in, and the money worries and emotional pressure that Christmas can bring.

“We know not everyone is the same and people need different types of support, so the services in Cheshire West provide a real range of ways you can reach out.”

Services include:

• Talking therapies – for adults and older people with mild, moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Find out more about your local service, including how to refer and a range of wellbeing resources at: www.talkingtherapies.cwp.nhs.uk
• Shout text messaging service – anyone feeling anxious, stressed or in need of support can text ‘BLUE’ to 85258 to start a text conversation with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. This is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
• Café 71, Chester Crisis Café – Café 71 provides a safe space for people struggling with emotional distress who consider themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. It offers a welcoming environment for people from across the borough to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems. The service is at 71-77 Anne Street, Chester, CH1 3HT and is open from 10am to 10pm. The café telephone number is: 01244 393139.
• 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line 0800 145 6485 – if your mental health quickly gets worse and you feel you are unable to cope, this is a mental health crisis. It is important to access support quickly. The crisis line supports people to access the help they need 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

As well as these services, which are provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), there are also a number of services provided by charities and community organisations. Some of these include:

• Mid Cheshire MIND – offers an informal drop-in centre in Winsford for people who have had or are currently experiencing mental health problems. Its telephone number is: 01606 863305.
• Mentell – provides circles for men aged 18 and over to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement. Visit: www.mentell.org.uk.
• Chapter – Chapter is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental ill health in Cheshire. They support people with a range of mental health needs, from those with a serious mental illness to people experiencing mild or moderate mental ill health. You can self-refer by visiting: chapterwestcheshire.org or calling: 01244 344 409
• The Martin Gallier Project – this is a suicide prevention service helping people who are feeling suicidal and anyone over the age of 16 who has been affected by suicide. The project telephone number is: 0151 644 0294.

For more information about these and many more mental health services across the borough visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and click on ‘mental health, physical health and wellbeing’.

The Council recently launched the consultation on its proposed Borough Plan for 2024-2028, following extensive engagement that took place over the summer.

During the last few months, residents, community groups and partners have joined a conversation to help shape what the proposed Borough Plan would look like. Those contributions have helped shape the proposals, which set out the four-year plan for the borough and focuses on everyone playing their part and working together for a stronger future.

The draft Borough Plan sets out a number of priorities, grouped under three main themes - Thriving Communities, Caring Communities and Sustainable Communities. It also highlights the significant financial challenge facing all local public services and establishes that there will be some hard choices ahead and new ways of working will be required.

The Council wants to be sure it is taking the right approach to working together and improving our communities and local services over the next four years. This proposed plan sets out our early thinking in an ongoing conversation with local people about the strengths of our borough, as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces.

The next step will be to develop a clear and detailed plan to deliver agreed priorities. Your feedback will help shape that plan and guide everything the Council and its partners do across the borough.

Have your say here: Join the Conversation | Participate Now (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

The Council, alongside Edsential and a range of community partners, is running a wide range of fun activities for four days of the school Christmas holiday.

HAF is a national programme, funded by the government’s Department for Education, for children from reception to year 11 inclusive who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

Benefits-related free school meals are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, and have a claim verified by their school or local authority.

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals

With a network of 67 clubs spread across the borough, children and young people who are eligible for free school meals between the ages of 5 - 16 are in for a festive treat. The programme will feature a diverse range of activities, including trips to see a pantomime, ice skating, graffiti art workshops, sports and much more. Alongside these exciting activities, everyone will receive nutritious festive meals to keep them energised throughout the Christmas holiday.

Youth Zones are available to 11–16-year-olds (up to 25 years for SEND young people) and will be providing eligible children and young people with a Christmas themed HAF offer.

Activities for Children with SEND - A number of organisations across the borough including the Council’s Youth Service and Brio Leisure, will be delivering SEND specific HAF sessions (available for ages up to 25 for SEND children and young people). Some sessions will also be offering places for siblings.

A full list of all activities is available on the Holiday Activities with Food Cheshire West web page. Please note all activities must be booked in advance.
Holiday Activities with Food

It’s a difficult time for many households due to the cost of living crisis so the message from water company United Utilities is to give them a call if you’re struggling with your water bill so they can help.

They have lots of ways to make your water bill more affordable, call their bill support team on 0800 072 6765 or complete their online form using the link below and they will call you back.

https://www.unitedutilities.com/difficulty-paying-bill

Some of the ways United Utilities can support you with your water bill payments include:

• Help to Pay: if you’re on Pension Credit and receive the Warm Home energy discount then it’s likely you are eligible for a lower water bill too.
• Back on Track: if you’re either receiving benefits or on a low income and finding it difficult to pay your water bill following a change in financial circumstances, this scheme can reduce the amount you have to pay.
• Cheaper with a Meter: the majority of customers who switch to a meter save at least £150 a year. You can trial a meter for two years and during that time the company guarantees that you won’t pay more. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis says a meter could save you money if there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or even the same number. Read more here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cut-water-bills
• Payment matching: if you’ve built up a lot of debt, the company has a scheme which will match your payments pound-for-pound to help you clear the money that you owe.
• WaterSure: if you have a water meter, receive benefits, and use a lot of water due to ill health or having a large family, they can cap your annual bill regardless of how much water you need to use.
• Trust Fund: if you’re in real financial difficulty, you may qualify for a one-off payment from the United Utilities Trust Fund to help clear your debts.

Full details about United Utilities’ support schemes can be found at https://www.unitedutilities.com/difficulty-paying-bill or call their team on 0800 072 6765.

Support when you need it most

We can all benefit from a bit of extra help at some stage in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mobility needs, mental health problems, financial worries, or language barriers. Registering for Priority Services with United Utilities is FREE and means you’ll benefit from additional services to support your needs including:

• A dedicated team on hand to listen and help.
• You can nominate a carer, family member or friend to talk to United Utilities on your behalf.
• Have your water bills in Braille, large print and ‘talking’ bills and text relay service.
• Add a password to your water account so you can always be sure the caller from United Utilities is genuine.
• Translation services.
• Notice of interruptions to your water supply.
• Additional support if you have a medical need for water.

So, if you or someone you know would benefit from extra support with their water services, please register online using the link below or give United Utilities a call on 0345 672 2888.

unitedutilities.com/priorityservices

Cheshire West Crowd empowers people to create projects that will make a positive difference to their community.

Hundreds of different community projects have used the Cheshire West Crowd to run crowdfunding campaigns, collectively raising millions from thousands of supporters.

The Council has also pledged its support to many projects, helping them on their journeys to reaching their crowdfunding targets.

If you have an idea and a project in mind that you believe will make a difference to the people around you, consider sharing it with a local organisation. Any community project can kickstart their crowdfunding campaign on the Cheshire West Crowd.

Cheshire West Crowd – Home (spacehive.com)

The Cheshire West Crowd website has a range of information, including projects that are up and running and those that have already successfully used the platform, as well as details of how people can support them. You can filter the projects to Funded to see which ones are live.

Discover projects on the Cheshire West Crowd (spacehive.com)

Cheshire firefighters are offering advice on how to stay safe when trying to keep warm this winter.

To reduce costs, many people will be looking for alternative ways to heat their homes - opening themselves up to dangers and greater risk of fire in the home.

Please follow the advice to stay safe.

• If you have a log burner or solid fuel fire, make sure you get your chimney swept regularly so there's no build up inside and the space is free from bird nesting materials. Stack logs by the side of a fire and use a fireguard where possible to prevent embers falling out.

• Make sure candles are secured in a holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Never leave candles unattended around pets and children. Always put them out before you go to bed.

• When using a wheat bag, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure it is not heated in a microwave for too long, or at too high a temperature.
  
  
• Camping stoves and barbecues should never be used indoors.
  
  
• Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home and regularly test and maintain them – smoke alarms save lives.

Sitting room temperatures are recommended to be kept at 21°C and bedrooms should be 18°C. If you’re feeling the chill, use a blanket or layer your clothing to trap heat better.

For more information and advice about staying safe and preventing fire, visit: cheshirefire.gov.uk/keepingwarm

You can boost your digital skills, or help someone you know to get online, by borrowing an iPad from your local library. This can allow you, a friend, or a family member to access Council services and much more.

With the Library iPad Borrowing Scheme, you can borrow an iPad for six weeks. You can collect the device from any Cheshire West and Chester Library, you just need a library card and a form of ID. You can even join the library service online in advance.

Join the library - Cheshire Libraries Catalogue (koha-ptfs.co.uk)

Each iPad comes with mobile data so you can access the internet even if you don't have Wi-Fi at home. The iPads include a getting started guide and instructional video. Our library staff are also there to help you get online.

The iPads come with pre-installed apps, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, as well as links to resources and support with job searching, accessing Council services, or getting in touch with family and friends.

eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines | Cheshire West and Chester Council

For more information on the scheme or to check availability, contact your local library.

Find a library | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The great British summer has been and gone, and we are now heading towards Autumn and Winter where we all need to consider how best to get through the colder months in the cheapest possible way.

Many of you who receive benefits will already have received a cost of living payment of £301.00 after April to assist you in paying your gas and electricity bills. However, don’t forget, there will be two more payments coming.

To add up to a total of £900.00 for the year the government will issue the next payments as follows:

Autumn 2023 £300.00 (payable between 31 October and 19 November 2023)

Spring 2024 £299.00

To qualify for these payments, you have to be receiving one of the following benefits:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

For these benefits you will have had to have an active benefit claim between 26 January to 25 February 2023 for the first payment. The government has not yet released the dates for the spring payment but if you met the criteria for the first two payments then it is likely you will receive the spring payment unless your circumstances and finances change.

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £300 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 18 August 2023 to 17 September 2023.

For those of you in receipt of disability benefits you should also be eligible for an extra £150.00 which was due to be paid this summer.

Also, if you are entitled already to a Winter Fuel Payment then you should also get either an extra £150.00 or an extra £300.00. The £300 is called the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment and will be automatically paid to people in receipt of State Benefit / Pension Credit.

You should receive a letter letting you know how much you will be getting for your Winter Fuel Payment around October to November this year.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme will also start again this winter for those who qualify. Those who should automatically qualify are people in receipt of:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• The ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

Other people on a low income and those receiving Guarantee Pension Credit may also be eligible.

The Warm Home Discount will not be paid directly to you but will be paid to your utility supplier to help reduce your bills.

If you are on a prepayment meter then your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

You should be sent a letter sometime between October 2023 and early January 2024 if you are eligible. If you do not receive a letter but think you should qualify you can call their helpline on 0800 107 8002

You can find more information on all of the above as it is updated at the following website.
GOV.UK/cost of living payments 2023 to 2024

Also, if you are struggling to pay your bills, National Energy Action has lots of useful advice and guidance on their website. If you are not on the internet, you can call them on 0800 304 7159
National Energy Action Advice and Support

Pregnant people, or those with children under the age of four, could be eligible for the Healthy Start scheme and receive help with buying food and milk.

While nearly 300 more eligible people in west Cheshire are now claiming Healthy Start compared to the start of 2023, more than £13,500 worth of support was still unclaimed in September 2023, meaning many people are missing out.

Through the Healthy Start scheme, you can use your card to buy:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.

You can also use your card to collect the following.

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to four years old.

How you could qualify
You can access the Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant, or you have at least one child aged under four, and receive any of the following.

• Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
• Income support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
• Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)

What you’ll get

• £4.25 each week of your pregnancy (from the 10th week of your pregnancy)
• £8.50 each week for children from birth to one year old
• £4.25 each week for children between one and four years old

How to apply
You’ll need to apply online to access Healthy Start, even if you previously used paper vouchers through the scheme before it went digital.
Apply online today

Help spread the word
The Council and a range of partners have worked together on a local flyer to promote the scheme and highlight that some people in the area aren’t claiming what they’re entitled to.

Could you share this flyer through your own networks or encourage local organisations you know to place a copy in their community building?

Download a copy of the flyer