New interactive directory available to help people find local cost-of-living support

WILTSHIRE Council has created an online interactive community directory to help people find out what warm spaces and community food providers there are in the county to support them through the cost of living challenges.

The directory has been created using information collected by the council to establish what support is already up and running in the county.

To find out the support that’s available on their doorstep and across the county, people just need to visit the ‘supporting you through the rising cost of living’ section under the council tax and benefits part on the Wiltshire Council website or visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6801/Interactive-Community-Directory and select their postcode area – this will then automatically generate a list of what’s available, as well as a host of other useful features.

The directory will be updated regularly and those who have set up warm spaces or community food provider services are invited to fill out a short survey, if they haven’t already done so, and their details can be included. The surveys for support organisations can be found in the ‘local practical help’ section of the council’s cost of living webpages at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living.

For anyone wishing to make donations to the community food providers there are contact and website details included for each with more information to find out how best to do this.

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said, “At this challenging time, people don’t need the added stress of not knowing where to go to find support should they need it. Our interactive directory is a simple, user-friendly tool to provide important information quickly to those who need it.

“We once again thank everyone for doing their bit to support residents throughout these ongoing challenges. Quite frankly, that community spirit has been required far too often over the last few difficult years, but it certainly provides comfort and reassurance to people going through a really challenging time.

“We’ll continue to do what we can to guide people through these cost of living pressures.”

Wiltshire Council has also collated a range of information and guidance on a variety of cost of living related topics such as energy, council tax and benefits, housing information, the support of local partner agencies, and advice on mental health.

There is also a section dedicated to support and advice for businesses.

The council’s cost of living support information can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living and these pages will be updated regularly.