South Holland District Council offer 'intense support' for those in need

New council officers have taken up the cause of offering ‘intense support’ to people who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

South Holland District Council has brought the two new officers on board to assist with helping struggling residents with a broad range of problems.

From people unable to afford heating and food, to victims of domestic violence or people struggling with their mental health, the officers are working within the community to make a difference.

Cost of living officer Emma explained: “We are getting a lot of referrals - it’s intense support that we are providing.

“Most of the referrals are internal, often from the housing officers, and there’s a wide range of problems people come to us with.

“This could be issues with hoarding, drug problems, a lot of domestic violence and not being able to afford their fuel.

“A lot of people are struggling with food but a lot of people are embarrassed to go to find the food they need. We find that if we go with them, it soften that initial blow and then gives the confidence to go again on their own.

“We are working to empower people to go and do these things by their own in the future.”

The officers, who are attending sessions within community centres such as the building in Linden Court, are focusing on building relationships with people so that they can get to the root of any problems they may be facing.

Emma explained: “We support people in all different kinds of ways, taking them to Citizens Advice appointments when they feel daunted by the process, for example.

“We make sure people get the right benefits they are entitled to and support them with doctors and hospital appointments.

“Sometimes, especially with elderly people they get confused with the information given to them so we take it away and explain it to them.

“We look at helping tenants if they are struggling with their bills or are in rent arrears. We spend time going round to people’s homes and build relationships so that they trust us and can get our help when they need it.”

Emma says she has been through difficult times herself, and uses her own personal experience to urge others to come forward for help.

She said: “It’s horrible to say you need this kind of help but we’ve all been in these situations before - this time last year I was sat in that chair needing that help and now I’m here.

“Older people are very proud and don’t want a handout - but it’s explaining that it’s not a handout, it’s help that is available to them. We’ve got a few people who go above and beyond to help us, so it’s nice to have the reinforcement from the council behind us as people will do that bit more to help us.

“As a council we can’t be responsible for everything but we can identify where the help is available and supporting people in accessing it.

“People work so hard behind the scenes in the council and I had no idea until I started working here.

“Unless you’re someone who has had to access the services they offer, you wouldn’t necessarily know what goes on.”

'We can't solve it all but we can do our bit'

South Holland District councillor Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for HRA and private sector housing, has praised the authority’s new cost of living officers and their work.

Her comments come as the authority sets out plans for a £10,000 grant to fund the work of warm hubs in our area.

Coun Lawton says she wishes there was a magic solution to help people struggling with their bills, but was pleased the council could offer ‘lots of little things’ to make a difference.

She said: “Realistically there is only so much you can do but lots of little things add up to the greater whole.

“Those things together make a difference - I wish to God we could magic a solution but incremental difference are what helps. We’re all about running things properly and saving money where we can for the tax payer, but there comes a point when you say there are more important things than the economics of it.

“It’s upsetting to see.

“Us older people are very stoical and we think ‘just put another jumper on’ and there was a time when we all went to bed with cardigans on with ice inside the windows, but we’ve moved on since then.

“It’s the 21st century and we shouldn’t have to do that.”

Coun Lawton also believes further help should be on the way next year.

She continued: “At the moment, I think people have got to make sure they are warm, fed and comfortable and if they need help afterwards I think there will be help there.

“I think the Government and councils will step in, frankly they must.

“We can’t solve all of the problems but we can help, and send someone to you who will make sure you are as warm as you need to be to keep well.”

There are more than 6,000 households in fuel poverty across South Holland according to new figures (see page 4), but the district authority has secured £10,000 to help keep people warm.

The funding, which comes from the National Grid’s annual Community Matters Fund, will go towards a network of warm spaces set up in conjunction with the authority. Thes hubs can be found in Spalding, Sutton St James and Crowland.