Bury VCFA is collecting information to help groups supporting people they work with to access cost of living support.
This page will be updated as more resources become available.
Support for Individuals
Further Support with food and fuel costs
If you’re struggling with the costs of living, then you’re not alone and support and advice is available. Bury Council has collated the support available on their website including how to access support if you’re struggling with food and fuel costs.
Using funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund, the council is offering financial help to vulnerable households through direct bank payments or food and fuel vouchers.
Free Affordable Internet Course
Digital Unite and the West London Alliance have worked together to create a free 10 minute course on how to help others find affordable home and mobile internet, including how to switch to a social tariff. You will receive a certificate and course notes when you complete it.
Bury Money Advice Referral Toolkit (MART)
The Bury Money Advice Referral Toolkit provides information and details of agencies that can offer advice and support to individuals and families.
Power Up the Flavour
Cracking Good Food have created two guides to help during the cost-of-living and fuel crisis. Our Low Fuel Cooking and updated Power Up The Flavour booklets provide handy low fuel cooking and lifestyle tips, shopping lists and a weekly ‘Save fuel family meal plan’ to create nutritional meals whilst using minimal fuel. These guides will help you to batch cook to freeze and make good of leftovers for your next day’s lunches and dinners to leave you energised and healthy.
Family Fund – Support for Families with Disabled Children (SFDC)
Funded by the Department for Education and managed by Family Fund, the SFDC programme provides a wide range of grant items to families in England on a low-income, who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.
GM Retrofit Portal Grant
Thousands of homes are eligible for retrofitting grants, particularly homes owned by people who are: aged 65 and above, who can’t always afford to heat their home, from an ethnic minority background, a disabled person, Non-native English speaker and not having access to the internet. The GM retrofit portal enables you to apply for the main energy efficiency schemes available in Greater Manchester.
GMCA Helping Hands
It’s a difficult time for many people as costs rise. Advice and support is available and organisations across Greater Manchester are here to give a helping hand.
United Utilities’ Hardship Hub
United Utilities’ Hardship Hub has now been opened up to everyone across the North West, bringing together hundreds of financial aid schemes in one place so that people can find help for free.
The schemes listed on the site include energy and utility companies, local authorities, housing agencies, charities, and advice and community groups from across the region. There are details on a range of support and advice
offerings, from help with utility bills to guidance on applying for housing support.
Warm Spaces Bury
‘Warm Spaces’ are established in the heart of local communities where people can be assured of finding a safe, warm, inclusive, and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice, the company of other people and stay healthy and well.
Get Help with Cost of Living and Fuel Bills
Citizens advice, Independent age and Bury Council have helplines to support with the cost of living and fuel bills.
GMCA Winterwise Guide
The guide brings together key information for older people on cost of living support with messages focusing on three themes – ‘Staying warm’, ‘Staying safe’ and ‘Staying well’
British Legion Everyday Needs Grants
British Legion Everyday Needs Grants.
Cost of Living Support
The government has announced a package of payments to help most households claiming benefits. Find support and advice by using the confidential checker to check what benefits you are entitled to.
Warm House Discount Scheme
Government Scheme for Cost of Living crisis. The scheme is currently closed but is expected to reopen in October 2023.
Winterwise guide
As the costs of energy, food and other bills continue to rise, the coming months are expected to be difficult for many older residents across the city-region.
National older person’s charity Independent Age has released this year’s edition of the Winterwise guide with new and updated information on how to stay well during the winter period.
In Kind Direct
In Kind Direct distributes quality consumer products donated by some of the UK’s best-known manufacturers, retailers and brands, to charitable organisations – including charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools, enabling communities to thrive.
Neighbourly
The Neighbourly platform is free to use and connects you with businesses that have volunteer time, money or product surplus to donate.
Managing your energy costs
NCVO has produced a guide for organisations to learn about what support is available for managing energy costs and being energy efficient.
