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.
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.
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Five ways to put your wellbeing first
Share Five ways to put your wellbeing first on Facebook Share Five ways to put your wellbeing first on Twitter Share Five ways to put your wellbeing first on Linkedin Email Five ways to put your wellbeing first linkAs the cost of living rises, many people will be worried about managing their money and paying for everything they need. At this stressful time, it is more important than ever to look after your health and wellbeing.
Stress can have a negative impact on your mental health and your physical health. January is an especially difficult month with Christmas festivities long-forgotten and the shine already wearing off New Year's resolutions.
The Council has teamed up with Brio Leisure and Active Cheshire to share information and advice about five ways to lift your mood and improve your wellbeing.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are:
- Connect - with people around you, including friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours. Good relationships give you a sense of belonging and self-worth, as well as providing emotional support.
- Be active - whether it is going for a run or a walk, gardening, playing a game or dancing around the kitchen, being active can raise your self-esteem, help you to set goals you can achieve and cause chemical changes in your brain that can positively change your mood.
- Take notice - savour the moment and make the effort to be more aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better.
- Learn - try something new or rediscover an old interest, which will help boost your self-confidence, give you a sense of purpose and help you connect with others.
- Give - do something nice for someone else, volunteer or say thank you. Acts of giving and kindness can create a sense of reward, give you a feeling of purpose and self-worth and help you connect with others.
It is traditional for many people to make New Year's resolutions about losing weight or dropping a bad habit, but if that feels like it's adding pressure on yourself at a time when you already have a lot of worries, then why not look to do something much more positive for yourself.
Whether you decide to learn how to cook a new tea, join a guided walk to be active and connect or give some of your time to volunteer, it is possible to find your own five ways to wellbeing.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing have been adopted by the NHS and mental health charity Mind following evidence that the steps improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.
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Let's Talk about health and wellbeing
Share Let's Talk about health and wellbeing on Facebook Share Let's Talk about health and wellbeing on Twitter Share Let's Talk about health and wellbeing on Linkedin Email Let's Talk about health and wellbeing linkYou can find lots of information and support at three Let's Talk sites. Drop in for a friendly chat about health and wellbeing. The initiative is run by the Council working with a range of community groups.
People's health and wellbeing can be affected by lots of different issues, including housing and financial challenges. At Let's Talk, you can get face to face advice and find out about the wellbeing support available in your local area.
The Let's Talk in Ellesmere Port Market is open every Thursday from 10am to 1pm. Here you will find representatives from adult social care, occupational therapy, ForHousing and Brio leisure, as well as a range of community organisations such as Cheshire West Communities Together, and Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust.
You can find the Blacon Let's Talk in Matthew Henry Evangelical Church on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, from 10am to 12noon.
The Lache Let's Talk is in Lache Community Centre on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday of every month from 11am to 1pm.
Let's Talk in Blacon and Lache join existing community groups centred around food. They offer conversations with people from a range of organisations such as Cheshire West Communities Together, Citizens Advice (for foodbank users), social care, and occupational therapy.
Let's Talk has been set up so that residents can access the help they need through a friendly conversation. Plans are underway to have Let's Talk venues in Northwich, Winsford and rural areas later in the year.
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Leaflets - Walking Further Together, Helping Hand to the Support You Need and How We Live Training
News categories
- Children and families (16)
- Community involvement (2)
- Council news (4)
- Financial advice and support (11)
- Financial support (17)
- Food support (5)
- Health and wellbeing (15)
- Heating and energy (8)
- Housing (3)
- Skills and employment (3)
- Technical support (1)
- children and families (1)
- financial advice and support (1)
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?
Useful links and resources
Videos
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Click here to play video Community Café at Road Two Winsford 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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Click here to play video Edna's Laundrette 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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Click here to play video Severn Trent Water 'help to pay' schemes 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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Click here to play video Let's Talk 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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Click here to play video Reach out, we're here to help 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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Click here to play video Tattenhall Repair Café Watch to see the repair café in action and meet the people involved in this great project.
Key events
Privacy and moderation
- This page is moderated to make it a safe space for everyone
- To help with this people are asked to register and sign in to take part
- It is a public space so please be kind
- Don’t share detailed personal information about yourself or others
- Contributions represent people’s own views and not a recommendation or endorsement by the Council.
- If you would like to know more about how we use and store the information you give us, please read our privacy notice.
Accessibility
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