Cost Of Living

Hampshire County Council update October 2022

Please note, this information is accurate at the time of writing.

Keep Warm Keep Well (KWKW)

In early October, the Local Authority launched the Keep Warm Keep Well web pages: www.hants.gov.uk/costofliving

These pages bring together a variety of help and information, such as advice for keeping homes warm and coping with debt, details about meals on wheels and school meals, as well as advice for maintaining physical and mental wellbeing during challenging times. Below is an overview of the web page content with signposting details.

Warm Spaces

Our library network offers warm and welcoming spaces for anyone needing a place to spend some time, connect with others, or to work or study. Libraries provide a safe and inclusive community space, free to use without judgement. Libraries are promoting usual events and activities and are working with communities, volunteers and partners to meet potential demand. Throughout October libraries are hosting a cost-of-living event in each district of Hampshire bringing together a range of partners to support customers in need. Further details are being communicated locally by individual libraries. Libraries are also providing some targeted support with the distribution of Warm Bags and Food Vouchers through the Household Support Fund and will be introducing Chat About sessions across their network in November.

A press release was recently issued with further information about warm and welcome spaces.

Food And Essentials

Families struggling with the cost of essentials–such as food and fuel–are encouraged to visit the connect4communities website. This is where they will find details about the support on offer. Families are also invited to check their eligibility for free school meals.

Fuel and energy

Keeping homes warm is essential because it helps protect health and wellbeing. Residents can get advice for keeping homes at optimum temperatures from the County Council commissioned Hitting the Cold Spots helpline. Anyone struggling to pay bills is urged to speak with their supplier first and, if they still need support, to contact their local Citizens Advice. Further details about the help that is available can be found on the Government’s website.

Money And Debt

At this time, more Hampshire residents are likely to be experiencing debt and money worries. Those who are struggling to cope can find a wealth of advice and guidance from Connect to Support Hampshire as well as Citizens Advice. Some people might also be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. For anyone receiving treatment following a mental health crisis who is also in debt, the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme can offer a reprieve from financial burdens.

Staying Well And Resilient

There are several tools available to help residents look after themselves during difficult times. The NHS has some top tips for keeping well over winter, and both Connect to Support Hampshire and our

Mental Wellbeing Hampshire website, link to sources of support, specialist help and money advice. People eligible for their COVID-19 autumn booster and flu jab are being encouraged to take these up as soon as they are invited.

Grants For Community Organisations

Hampshire County Council offers a range of grants to community organisations working with local residents to support their physical and mental wellbeing. These grants may provide assistance in

Kiftsgate Talk

Alex MacPherson organised a wonderful evening at the end of September to raise funds for St James’ Woodmancote. We started with canapés and fizz –always a good beginning to any talk!

Anne Chambers is the third generation of women gardeners in her family. She and Johnny, her husband, treated us to a very interesting and entertaining talk about their home and garden, Kiftsgate.

I had heard of Kiftsgate but knew little about it. Kiftsgate is sited in the Cotswolds, and has as a neighbour, Hidcote Manor, also a famous garden. It was started in the 1920s by Anne’s grandmother, then her mother in the 1950s before Anne and her husband, took over in the 1980s. The garden celebrates these three generations of women gardeners.

It is not a vast garden but one of beauty in all seasons. It is delightful and gentle in palate as one can imagine women designing. It seems both traditional and modern with a very beautiful water feature with very little planting and stainless steel features. The famous Kiftsgate rose is wonderful supporting those organisations working with people who are most at risk from the impact of the current crisis. in the summer and we were told it is the biggest rose in the country – certainly not for small gardens! The herbaceous border looked stunning in the images shown and somehow one could imagine the planting on a smaller scale in one’s own garden.

In particular, the Leader’s Community Grant Fund now contains provision for community organisations, Parish and Town Councils to apply for small grants of up to £5,000 to support communities, for example by setting up a Warm Space. Further information is available on the dedicated web pages.

Anne and Johnny work so hard with very little help (I believe they have just two full time gardeners). Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious and hearing about all they do made me feel exhausted! The garden is open from Easter to the end of September and after this talk I can’t wait to see it.

It is a credit to Anne’s mother and grandmother and now Anne and her husband to have created and to now run such a successful business.

Thank you Alex for introducing us to Anne and Johnny who were a real double act in giving such a wonderful talk, and St James has benefitted from about £800 in ticket sales which is fantastic.

Mary Wallis