Cost of living support and resources
A signposting page either offering services as a church or where you can go to for help if you are in need.
“We can reach out pastorally in partnership with others, ecumenically and people of wider good will. Sometimes it is others who might be better placed than us to deliver a wave of support. But I am hearing from the charitable sector, who are at full stretch, that it is not going to be hunger this winter but starvation. And believe me, this is not about saying the poor need to learn to cook. I would love to take you to our Pathways project in Great Yarmouth to meet those who come there. They want day-old bread, not tatties, because they can’t afford the fuel to cook the potatoes. Such is the crunch we are living in.”
The Rt Revd Bishop Graham Usher
Advice for Churches and Church communities
Church of England cost of living support
What are you entitled to?
Find out and access support you may be entitled to. This page draws information from the government, the wider church and other charities.
Add your warm welcome space to the map
Churches, other faith groups and community organisations working together to equip and support thousands of free, warm and welcoming spaces. Add yours to the map.
Church of England announces energy cost grant
Energy cost grant to help PCCs cover the increased cost of heating and lighting
The Church of England is to provide £15 million for dioceses to help churches struggling to pay energy costs.
Have you thought about pew heaters or heated cushions for your church?
The Parish Buying website offers products and guidance sheets to cover the questions parishes need answering before approaching suppliers.
Resources and advice on heating your church
Heating your church this winter
Practical suggestions to help parishes save money and energy, along with advice for meeting clergy household energy bills.
Helping Anglican clergy and their families in times of need.
If you’re struggling with clergy life or in financial difficulty, we’re here to help.
Advice and guidance for people affected by the cost of living crisis
What support is available and how to get advice, from Norfolk County Council.
- Norfolk Assistance scheme
- Citizens Advice
- Age UK
- Ask Bill
- Your local council contacts
Here is a list of foodbanks across Norfolk and Waveney. Find a foodbank near you, or find out how you can donate food or money to help this need. There is currently an emergency foodbank appeal.
Help Hubs are run by the council in partnership with other organisations and offer practical support, advice and guidance. They can provide support and advice with the following plus other needs:
- benefits
- housing conditions
- social isolation
- financial advice
Your fuel rights: CPAG have released a new handbook to provide advisers with information to help their people cope with rising fuel bills, debt and problems with fuel supply. This handbook covers the rights of gas and electricity consumers.
Churches across the UK are committed to tackling the causes of poverty in their local area by partnering with CAP and providing free debt help and advice.
You can get help and advice by finding your nearest church linked to CAP or you can support their work here: https://capuk.org/
Find a warm space near you https://warmspaces.org/
This is a national map where you can type in your postcode and find a warm space and community.
Norfolk Community Foundation is helping to provide over 120 Community Hot-Spots for people living locally. Below is a map showing the hot spots they are directly funding here and some highlights from different areas, including Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth and South Norfolk for example.
Resources
- Norfolk Warm Homes
- ‘Turn2us’ charity has produced a guide for helping people maximise their income and manage their budget during the cost of living crisis. They have also published information for those finding themselves in an emergency situation.
- Norfolk County Council have produced a booklet that tells you what support is available and how to get advice. You can also find this information on their website.
- Trussell Trust Food Banks
