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.
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.
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.
Cost of Living Payment
Government Guidance on getting an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
Healthy Start
Healthy Start is one of our few nutritional safety nets and we know that families in Bury are missing out, so please help our families access what they are entitled to.
Healthy Start NHS Leaflet May 2023
NHS Healthy Start scheme guidance and how to apply.
HS Traders at Bury Market Map
Stall holders on the famous Bury Market are now taking Healthy Start cards at Ward’s Fruit & Veg, Iddon’s Fruit & Veg and Tom’s Bargain Corner helping visitors to provide their families with nutritious and affordable food.
GM Food Providers
Greater Manchester Poverty Action has sourced a map of the various food providers within Greater Manchester (including food banks, pantries and meal providers).
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.
The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund – The National Lottery Community Fund
To apply your organisation must already run critical services around at least one of the following:
- food and emergency supplies – like food and baby banks or the provision of hot meals, clothes or toiletries
- emergency shelter – like night shelters or other accommodation for people experiencing homelessness
- safe spaces – like domestic abuse services and youth services
- warmth – like warm rooms and spaces
- financial and housing advice – like giving people advice because of the increased cost of living.
Grants of £10k – 75k to find cost of living programme and projects – does include core costs. They are targeting small to medium orgs with turn over around £10k up to about a million.
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.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The Government has announced an Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) to run from 1 April 2023 till March 2024 for eligible non-domestic consumers including voluntary sector organisations and charities.
Cost of Living Data Dashboard
Citizens Advice have sharing insights from across their service on how the crisis is affecting the people they help, such as an increase in debt clients, social housing inquiries and foodbank referrals.
Addressing the Economic Crisis
Local Infrastructure Organisations in Greater Manchester have put together a set of slides that lists ways in which the VCSE sector can support communities and highlights the key challenges for our sector during this economic crisis.
