Cost of Living Crisis
Waverley residents are facing a cost of living crisis.
Inflation is at its highest rate for decades, food prices have rocketed and energy bills & the cost of fuel have gone through the roof.
We wanted to make sure you had details of some local organisations that may be able to help if you and your family are struggling to cope in these difficult times.
Citizens Advice Waverley
Citizens Advice should be your first port of call, as they can refer you to other services and schemes. They offer advice on debt, benefits, housing and many other topics, and will be aware of the latest schemes available. Call their AdviceLine on 0808 2787 980 (Freephone) or use their online message service at www.waverleycab.org.uk
Haslemere Food Bank
Provides food parcels to those referred to them by organisations such as Citizens Advice, schools, churches and GPs. Phone 07818 692389 or email haslemerefoodbank@gmail.com for details.
Godalming & Villages Community Store
Provides food and supplies to those in crisis when referred by Citizens Advice and other organisations. Contact the CAB (on Bridge Street) in the first instance and when referred, book via 07493 435715 or communitystoregav@gmail.com. See website for more details.
Farnham Foodbank
Provides food and supplies to those in crisis when referred by Citizens Advice, children's centres and health visitors. Phone 07901 581 539 or email info@farnham.foodbank.org.uk for details.
Cranleigh Food Bank
Provides food and supplies to those in crisis when referred by Citizens Advice, schools, Age Concern and GPs. Contact the CAB, opposite the Leisure Centre, in the first instance and then book via cranleighfoodbank@gmail.com.
Waverley Borough Council - Household Support
Our council's Household Support Fund can help struggling families with food, utility bills and household essentials. Residents across the borough can apply using the form on the Waverley website when the fund is open, however Farnham residents should apply via Farnham Town Council.
Discretionary Housing top-up payments
If your rent is higher than your housing benefit/allowance or Universal Credit, you may be able to claim the difference. It is limited to rent payments only and you can apply via the Waverley website
Surrey Crisis Fund
Residents in an emergency or suffering from a disaster may be able to provide food, essential white goods or furniture, or emergency travel costs. Apply via Citizens Advice or see the website.
Crossways Counselling
They provide a professional counselling service for adults who otherwise would be unable to afford private counselling sessions for issues such as depression and stress, or work-related or family problems. Face-to-face sessions are held in Grayshott. Visit www.crosswayscounselling.org.uk or call 01428 644333.
Energy bills advice
Warmth Grant
Grant funding for energy efficiency improvements is available via Action Surrey for energy saving and insulation upgrades. Funding is available to low-income households. More details on the current schemes is on the Action Surrey website.
The Warmth Matters
Surrey Community Action's campaign offers support and practical advice on energy bills. Email davidcarter@surreyca.org.uk or call 07521 503 696.
Citizens Advice
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills specifically, Citizens Advice provide detailed guidance on some of the help that may be available you, including grants from energy companies that you may be able to apply for if you're in debt.
Money & housing advice
3 Counties Money Advice
Open every Tuesday between 10am and 4pm (by appointment only) at the Haslewey Community Centre, Haslemere. Trained volunteer advisors from Christian churches in the local area offer free, impartial money advice. Call 07766 765041 or email 3cma@frontlinedebtadvice.org.uk.
Step Change
If you are struggling with debt or can't keep up with payments on debt, they offer advice and plans to help you manage it. Call 0800 138 1111 or visit www.stepchange.org.
Turn2Us
Advice, information and a wealth of resources are available for people who are struggling financially. Visit www.turn2us.org.uk or call 0808 802 2000.
Shelter
For help with accommodation, evictions, rental issues or housing matters, Shelter can offer practical advice. Call 0808 800 4444 or visit https://england.shelter.org.uk/.
What the Lib Dems are doing
Our councillors are supporting residents directly and working at both town & Waverley Borough Council to put support schemes and assistance in place, as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nationally, we have been campaigning since March 2022 to cut VAT to 17.5% to ease the impact on residents and calling for a proper windfall tax on oil and gas company profits. This would be used to combat energy bill rises and to expand targeted support for vulnerable and low income households via the Warm Home Discount and improving insulation.
If there's anything that the local Lib Dem team can help you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
