Poverty Hurts: Support for families struggling with the cost of living

Poverty Hurts: Support for families struggling with the cost of living

Cirencester Opportunity Group used a grant of £2,484 to work directly with families facing challenges on a one to one and small group basis to specifically assess their needs based on how they were being negatively impacted by the cost of living crisis and what they needed support with.

They kept their ‘Sharing Shed’ well stocked with essential items such as food, clothing and hygiene products, ensuring that all families had access to the shed 5 days a week.

The Family Outreach team were able to provide practical help for the families including making referrals to Citizens Advice and P3 for Debt assistance as well as explaining to families which benefits they might be entitled to and we supported them to make contact with the right agencies and making applications for support. They also helped families to access things they needed but were struggling to afford. This included things like a microwave, essential school uniform items, utility top ups and some items of furniture, including essential cooking items essential cooking items which were accompanied with a cooking lesson to offer support at a deeper level.

Helping in the community

"We are proud that we have been able to keep our Sharing Shed going, as it is our way of supporting families to have access to many of the items they need, when they need them, whilst also maintaining their dignity. They can select items each week day when they feel ready to and this has continued to work well. We also ensured that we provided menstruation products, baby food and nappies to families assessed as being in need of these types of essential items.”