Community Lead the Way With Cost of Living Support
Today (Wed 31st Sept), civic groups and community centres from across the south of Stroud came together at GL11 Community Hub in Cam & Dursley to coordinate a community response to the cost of living crisis this winter (see picture attached).
As people struggle with rising heating bills, food prices and housing costs, the ambition collectively of the local community groups is to ensure a venue in Cam & Dursley is open every day of the week where people can go, that is warm and welcoming, with free or very low-cost food and drink, and access to help and advice.
An estimated 40% of households will be in poverty this winter, and the community groups, including representatives from GL11, the NHS, local churches, Chantry Centre and Stroud District Council, came together to discuss how best to provide a warm environment if people can’t afford to heat their homes. Another aim of the group is to reduce the stigma about asking for help with food.
Indigo Redfern, CEO of GL11 Community Hub, said “For example, GL11's own Cost of Living Support Day in Cam & Dursley will be every Wednesday, 10am to 7pm, starting on 21st Sept. Our Café will be serving £1 breakfasts, potluck lunches and suppers, with free hot drinks, cakes and internet access, alongside help and advice with debt, benefits, housing, employment and wellbeing. Our new Community Pantry will be open too, a £4 membership giving at least £15 of food, to help ensure no-one goes hungry.”
“There is a great collective will amongst us all to work together to provide spaces in Cam & Dursley every day of the week where people can be sure of a warm welcome and good company this winter. We are meeting again next week, bringing in even more local community groups to help plan and staff with volunteers, a 7-day Cost of Living Café across local community spaces, that will see Cam & Dursley leading the way for cost of living support. Anyone wanting to be involved in this great community effort can phone us at GL11 for more details.”