Council scheme set up to help residents struggling with cost of living

Launching in full later this month, 'Here For You' is Wigan Council’s response to increasing financial pressures facing residents.

The local authority will be linking up with its partner organisations to share information about what support is available and urge those struggling to ask for help.

Staff across the council’s libraries and leisure centres will also be able to signpost those struggling to the appropriate help and support.

Cllr David Molynuex (Image: Wigan Council)

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux, said: “We know the pressures that our communities are feeling and there’s no hiding that there is worse to come as we approach the autumn and winter months.

“But we also know that our borough has such a sense of community spirit and will react in the right way to adversity.

“We are doing all we can to make sure that any support that is available can be accessed by those who need it through this campaign.”

The Council are looking at creating 'warm welcoming spaces' in public buildings (Image: Wigan Council)

Additionally, Wigan Council recently confirmed it is exploring options to create ‘warm welcoming spaces’ in public buildings, reflecting similar plans across the borough’s community networks.

Each 'welcoming space’ will provide judgement-free spaces for residents to come and keep warm in the winter months, with staff and volunteers on hand to lend a listening ear.

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare, added: “We saw during the Covid-19 pandemic how our borough pulled together.

“We know times are very difficult, but we want the message to go out loud and clear that we are here to help and this will be a joint effort.

“Wigan Council’s teams of experienced and helpful officers are working extremely hard to ensure we can be as proactive as possible to the changing circumstances facing our households, businesses and communities.

“Our message to residents is please ‘just ask’ and if we can help or point you in the right direction, we will.

“It is of course a worrying time for all of us, so we are encouraging you to get in touch as soon as possible for early help, support and advice.”

Over the last five weeks, Wigan Council’s welfare team has provided £2.1m in support to pensioners and means-tested free school meal families through the Household Support Fund.

Council officers have also seen more than 550 referrals from residents in need of welfare support recently.

To find out more about the council's welfare support, you can visit their website here.