There’s lots of help available if you’re struggling with the cost of living this winter.

Over the past few years, the rising cost of energy, food and bills has seen many households experiencing hardship because it’s harder to keep up with payments.

However, there is lots of support and guidance on offer, so we’ve put together a roundup of seven useful resources:

1. Debt and benefit advice clinics

Derby City Mission runs regular free debt and benefit advice clinics to help citizens manage their finances. The drop-in clinics require no advance booking and offer support with a range of issues, including help with credit cards and loans, personalised financial statements and benefit entitlement.

For more information, visit the Derby City Mission website.

2. Warm coat appeal

Run by Derby’s Family Hubs, the warm coat appeal relaunched last autumn following the success of the previous year’s appeal.

Families who can’t afford to purchase winter coats for their children and teens can pop into one of Derby’s six Family Hubs and collect a new or nearly new warm coat.

3. YMCA community meals

Derbyshire YMCA hosts a free community meal on the last Friday of each month. This is an opportunity for individuals, families, community groups and businesses to come together, get to know one another and eat great food.

Each meal is run in partnership with Head High, a local mental health organisation, and is managed by a local business or charity.

For more information or to get involved, contact the team on 01332 579558 or enquiries@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk

4. Warm Welcome Hubs

Spread across the city, more than 45 Warm Welcome Hubs have opened their doors to citizens, offering a warm space, a hot meal and refreshments, and can signpost citizens to appropriate support.

You can find the full list of Warm Welcome Hubs and their locations on the Community Action website.

5. Family budgeting sessions

Derby Adult Learning Service (DALS) is running several Family Budgeting Sessions to help families learn how to manage their money and have more control over their finances. The sessions will also support families to help children with fun maths activities.

The sessions are held in Derby’s Family Hubs, for more information visit the DALS website.

6. NHS Healthy Start scheme

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. Eligible families can apply for an NHS Healthy Start card with money on it that can be used in some supermarkets to buy milk, infant formula, fruit, vegetables and pulses.

For more information and to apply, visit the NHS Healthy Start website.  

7. Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance supports citizens who are experiencing food poverty through food provision, signposting, education, and advice.

There’s more information about the support available and how to make a referral on the Derby Food 4 Action website.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Customer Inclusion and Equalities said:

We know that a lot of people are still struggling because of the cost of living crisis, which is why the Council and its brilliant partners have been busy providing lots of support to some of our city’s most vulnerable residents and those facing financial hardship.

I’d encourage every citizen who is concerned about making ends meet to find out what support is available to them – there may be a lot more than you think. This is a challenging time, but I want to reassure the people of Derby that you are not alone and help is available.

Derby City Council and Community Action have partnered together to create an online Cost of Living Hub which contains more guidance and support for citizens struggling because of the cost of living. You can find this on the Community Action website.