As we enter March, the cost-of-living crisis remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds, with individuals and families still facing many difficulties as they try to make ends meet.
As we navigate through one of the most turbulent financial periods we have seen nationally for many years, we are working together with partners to support our local population here in Stockport.
We benefit from a strong position with our new integrated care system (ICS) structures. Our One Stockport Health and Care Board is a great example of solid relationships across all partners involved in health and wellbeing, including housing and voluntary sector partners.
We also have an active, regional cost-of-living group, where we work with partner authorities and others across Greater Manchester to share good practices and help shape our approach and response.
Highlights of Stockport’s response so far include around 150 ‘warm spaces’ and counting – 130 of which have received funding from the council totalling £117,000 – and an online cost-of-living support hub.
We have used our Household Support Fund allocation from the Government to work with partners to identify and deliver targeted support to some of the borough’s most vulnerable households.
We have also delivered 1,200 ‘warm packs’ to vulnerable residents, working closely with Age UK, Stockport Homes and Disability Stockport. The packs include scarves, gloves, socks, thermometers, advice and guidance on our cost-of-living offer, and information on prepayment meters.
We have provided: free holiday activities, including food, for school children over the February half-term; pop-up money roadshows, helping residents with financial wellbeing; winter support vouchers for around 8,500 families, including 13,000 children; heated throws for Stockport’s most vulnerable housebound and isolated residents; and supported 102 residents with applications for pension credit.
I’m particularly proud of our warm spaces initiative. These locations are so much more than just a warm space, with activities, hot drinks, free food, free Wi-Fi, social opportunities, and people on hand to share the latest cost-of-living support and advice.
We have just less than 150 across our borough, with at least one in every ward and no resident more than 10 minutes from a warm space, all signposted on our easy-to-use interactive map.
We heard a heartwarming story from a resident who had not left her home for two years since the pandemic, but she came to a warm space to enjoy a hot drink and join in the community activities hosted there.
Last month, we approved 23 bids for ‘top up’ funding for our providers, totalling more than £21,000, to help them keep the doors of their warm spaces open and continue to provide community activities for everyone to enjoy.
I often say to anyone I encounter how proud I am of Stockport; we pull together in a crisis.
We may not have all the answers, but we use our strong, collective community spirit and passion to help all our residents, businesses and communities in their time of need.
We are making a real difference to those feeling the worst of this crisis.