Support if you need a hand with the cost of living
09/01/2024
Our ‘Need a hand’ campaign is back to help highlight all the ways we can help you manage cost-of-living pressures this winter.
Now in its second year, our campaign encourages customers who are struggling, to reach out for free, confidential help from our specialist teams.
Last winter hundreds of FCHO customers benefitted from advice and support to help manage rising costs.
More than 850 people who couldn’t make ends meet contacted us for practical advice to maximise their income.
We helped customers to collectively save more than £112k by accessing good quality food for a fraction of its usual price through our partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing affordable food service. In doing so, we helped increase the amount of disposable income in customers’ pockets, so they didn’t have to choose between buying food, paying bills, or buying other basics.
Seventy-five people were helped into work, putting on average an extra £571 in their pockets every month and our team supported customers in need to pay their rent and charges with tailored assistance.
To help residents make their money go even further, we also provided energy saving advice to help keep bills down and signposted customers to local partners including Oldham Council to make sure they got all the help they need.
We know that rising costs are continuing to put huge pressures on household finances, and we want to spread the word that we are here to give customers a hand if you need it.
Kelly Webb, our Executive Director of Customer Experience, said:
"Last winter our teams saw unprecedented numbers of customers contact us for advice and support, and we are seeing a similar demand for these services this winter.
“We helped people from a range of backgrounds, from older people and families with children, to couples and single households. In many cases we were able to provide early help and stop them from reaching crisis point.
“We are here to give customers a hand if they are finding it difficult to manage and we encourage those who need advice or practical support to get in touch, so we can help.”
See how we can give you a hand
Visit the dedicated Need a hand with the cost of living? page here on our website for full information about our free, confidential support.
Get in touch by emailing communityservices@fcho.co.uk or call 0161 393 7117.