Erewash Borough Council is offering support and guidance during the cost of living crisis for all residents.
There are now a number of welcoming warm spaces for those struggling to afford the cost of heating their homes this winter. These include some Derbyshire County Council owned buildings and other Erewash venues which have been opened by community groups.
The sites are as follows:*
Ashbrook Community Centre, Borrowash on Mondays from 10.30am to 11.30amAshbrook Community Centre, Borrowash on Mondays from 11.30am to 1pm for lunchCo-op Funeral Care, Victoria Avenue, Borrowash on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 11.30am with refreshments availableElephant Rooms, Draycott on Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm with jacket potatoes, hot drinks and biscuits availableAll Saints Church, Ockbrook on Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm with refreshments availablePetersham Hall, Grasmere Road, Long Eaton on Mondays from 9.30am to 11.30am with hot breakfast availableChrist Church Methodist Church, Derby Road, Long Eaton from 11am to 2pm with soup and hot drinks availableInfusion Coffee Shop, Derby Road, Long Eaton on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 3pm with free hot drinks availableSt John's Church Canal Street, Long Eaton on Wednesdays at 11am for refreshments, midday for a hot lunch and between 1pm to 3pm for well-being activitiesTrinity Methodist Church, Cross Street, Long Eaton is open Thursdays from 10.30am for hot drinks and midday for a hot mealSt Mary's Church, Wilsthorpe Road, Sawley open Fridays from 10.30am to 2pm with hot drinks, toast and soup availableThe Catholic Church, Regent Street, Ilkeston, open Wednesday from 12noon tmo 2pm for hot soup, bread, tea, biscuits and cake - until the last Wednesday in February.The Cosy Club, Bath Street, Ilkeston open Wednesdays from 12 noon to 2pm with hot food and drink availableIlkeston Methodist Church on Wilmot Street (near to Wilko) is also open every Friday between 10am and 2pm with a warm space, free hot drinks and snacks and all are welcome.
Organisations interested in extending their hours or opening their community venue as a warm space can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to assist with the costs. More information can be found at derbyshire.gov.uk.
Council Tax Support is available for those struggling to pay their Council Tax bill. For individuals who are still unable to afford their bill the Council Tax Discretionary Fund can offer further help for eligible residents. More information can be found at erewash.gov.uk
Food banks are available across the country for people struggling to afford food for themselves or their loved ones. In Erewash, the Long Eaton and Sawley Foodbank is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information visit the Trussel Trust website.
Veterans are entitled to support and advise through the Veteran Gateway. Advisors are available to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0808 802 1212. More information can be found at britishlegion.org.uk.
For individuals struggling with debt payment, free independent advice is available through Citizens Advice. Further information can be found on their website citizensadvicederbyshiredistricts.org.uk or by calling 0808 278 7954. Drop in services are available within the Erewash area - please contact them for further details.
Individuals struggling to pay rent on a property may be entitled to universal credit. Residents can find out if they are eligible and seek further information at understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk.
Help is available for residents struggling to pay bills. Severn Trent has launched the Big Difference scheme that offers a reduction in water bills for any customer with a household income below £16,480. More information can be found on their website stwater.co.uk. The British Gas Energy Trust supports people facing financial hardship and struggling with the rising cost of energy bills. The independent charity is not exclusive to customers and is available to anyone across England, Wales and Scotland. More information can be found on their website britishgas.co.uk.
Eligible residents have received a letter inviting them to apply for Phase 3 of the Green Grants scheme which will help make homes more energy efficient and reduce energy bills. The scheme is ran by Erewash Borough Council, Marches Energy Agency and E.ON Energy Solutions. Updates on when the scheme could be opened to the wider public and further information are available on erewash.gov.uk.
Derbyshire County Council has launched a Cost of Living Campaign which includes further information and advice. For more information, visit derbyshire.gov.uk.
Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Erewash Borough Council, said: The cost of living crisis is affecting millions of people across the country with concerns continuing to grow as we approach the winter season. That is why it is vital that we spread awareness of everything the council is doing to help Erewash residents and signpost the fantastic work of other organisations. There are many schemes running within the borough to help with whatever issue youre facing and a variety of support networks to lean on at this time. I urge everyone to reach out should they need help this winter.
More information can be found at erewash.gov.uk
* = Erewash Sound CIC provides the above list in the spirit of goodwill and to support the community, so cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused by changes or cancellations to all and any session, each of which is run by separate groups and organisations.
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