Cost of Living Crisis
We understand that many of our families will be struggling financially at the moment and will be in need of help. The resources and links below should be of some use, but if you need to speak to anyone directly about your situation, please email a.clifton@oswaldroad.manchester.sch.uk or d.wealleans@oswaldroad.manchester.sch.uk
Cost of Living – Helpful Resources
Neighbourhood Winter Support Booklets
We know this Winter will be hard with the cost of living crisis, but there is lots of support out there in Manchester if you do need it. To help local people, Manchester Local Care Organisation’s integrated neighbourhood teams across the city have worked with colleagues at Manchester City Council and the voluntary sector to produce a series of neighbourhood service guides which you can now access online. The booklets outline much of the local support that is available across each neighbourhood. These include food banks, warm hubs, befriending services and other local offers. There are 11 booklets in total that cover our 12 neighbourhood areas (our two Wythenshawe based teams
have provided a combined booklet).
All the booklets are accessible by clicking here. If you click on a neighbourhood in the list, it will bring up the online version. You can download the PDF booklet version from each page. The new direct links to each online page are below:
North Manchester
Ancoats, Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw
Higher Blackley, Harpurhey and Charlestown
Cheetham and Crumpsall
Moston, Newton Heath and Miles Platting
Central Manchester
Hulme, Moss Side and Rusholme
Gorton and Levenshulme
Chorlton, Whalley Range and Fallowfield
Ardwick and Longsight
South Manchester
Wythenshawe and Northenden
Didsbury, Chorlton Park and Burnage
Withington and Old Moat
Manchester City Council’s Cost of Living Advice Line – 0800 023 2692, a free telephone line available between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or via their online form at https://www.manchester.gov.uk/coladvice, offering Manchester residents support with benefits, debt, bills, food and support to access the internet.
Manchester City Council information about Council support for those in financial difficulty
Information on wider support – Help with the cost of living crisis | Manchester City Council
Healthy Start
This scheme helps those in need to buy healthy food and milk and access vitamins. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to this help. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your benefit will be added onto this card every 4 weeks.
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:
– Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
– Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
Please click here to view the leaflet or visit the website for more information about the Healthy Start Scheme
Winterwise
The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub has partnered with national older person’s charity Independent Age to launch Winterwise, a new guide with key information for older people on cost-of-living support with messages focusing on three themes:
‘Stay warm’ – providing information about the financial support that older people could access to help them with rising energy costs.
‘Stay safe’ – focusing on home safety advice for older people, including fire safety, how to spot and report scams, and what to do if they fall.
‘Stay well’ – tips and advice on mental health and wellbeing, eating well and keeping active.Please share this information with loved ones or older people you may know or support. You can access more information here: Winterwise (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk).
Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Nearly 3000 registered organisations have opened free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public this winter across the UK. You can use this Warm Welcome Interactive Map to find your nearest warm space, including libraries and other spaces in
Manchester and further afield.
