We know that many of our residents are struggling with cost of living pressures due to the increasing costs of what seems like everything – food, petrol, heating.
There is lots of support to help residents with a range of issues from accessing food and heating through to cooking on a budget, debt advice and support and how to look after your mental health. This can be found on Knowsley News.
We also know that there are many residents who want to support others – like they did throughout the pandemic and there are a number of simple ways you can support others:-
- Check-in on your vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends. For many, you could be their only contact with others so call in and check they are okay, have a cuppa with them and share the support that is available to them.
- Are you going to the supermarket / into the town centre? Could you offer a lift to a neighbour / relative to help them get to where they need to go to on your way? Maybe suggest you could drop them off at one of the Borough’s libraries that are operating as a Warm Hub? They’ll get a hot drink, company and support to help them to get online.
- Have you cooked too much and have a spare portion that a vulnerable neighbour, relative or friend would appreciate? Consider sharing what’s left over with someone who would really appreciate a hot meal.
- Knowsley Foodbank provide food to vulnerable residents and particularly in the run-up to Christmas, stocks usually run low. Could you add a few extra tins of soup or some pasta into your weekly shop to donate to the Foodbank? Or could you make a financial donation for the Foodbank to purchase supplies? You can find out items they need and your local drop-off on the Foodbank’s website.
- The Big Help Project is running a ‘Winter Warmth’ initiative and are looking for donations of warm coats, blankets, gloves, hats, scarves, hot water bottles, hand warmers, socks, flask and thermal wear. You can drop-off any clean items at the Big Help Community Shops in Huyton, Prescot, Kirkby, Bootle or Knotty Ash – please clearly label your bag/bags as being “Warm Welcome Centre Donations”.
- Take a look at the range of volunteering opportunities that are available across the Borough, supporting local communities, which can be found on One Knowsley’s website.
Cllr Jayne Aston, Cabinet Member for Resources, said “One of Knowsley’s strengths is its fantastic community spirit. People really do pull together and support one another in a crisis – like we saw with the pandemic.
“There are simple things we can do to support others. Many residents face social isolation, particularly at this time of year with the colder days and darker nights, so just taking a few minutes of your time to check-in on a vulnerable neighbour, relative or friends will mean so much to them.
“Many of our community groups are also organising donations ranging from Christmas toys through to food and clothing so check in with them and see if you’re able to support your local community.
“It’s important that through the cost of living crisis, we all do everything that we can to support one another. There is lots of support out there, so please help us to share what’s available. You can find it all at www.knowsleynews.co.uk/cost-of-living.”