Today, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council and Caroline Simpson, Chief Executive at Stockport Council have issued an open letter on behalf of the One Stockport Health and Care Board to call on all partners to join together to help support everyone living and working in Stockport as the cost of living continues to rise.
The pledges coincide with ‘Challenge Poverty Week’, and follows on from the Cost of Living roundtable event organised by the council, where ideas were put forward by partners who represented a wide range of organisations.
In addition, the council has created an online hub which details all the support available to residents and businesses.
Through the One Stockport Local Fund, the council has so far given more than 60 community organisations financial grants totalling £70k to offer warm spaces this winter. The grants can be used to help organisations keep a warm space open, open a new space or help to provide activities to bring the community together. The council is also providing warm spaces with all libraries and our popular tea dances in the Town Hall also signing up to the scheme. Over 100 warm spaces will be available for people to drop in and enjoy from 1 November until 31 March 2023. More information and an interactive map will be available soon on the council’s website.
To coincide with Challenge Poverty Week, the council and partners have joined together to inform residents and businesses how to keep warm and well this winter.
This year, as well as our usual advice and support for residents to keep well over the winter, we are including a wider range of advice and support including cost-of-living, as well as mental health support and encouraging residents to check in on elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, with the impact meaning many individuals and families are facing many challenges as they try to make ends meet. We are living in unprecedented times that are changing week by week, day by day, hour by hour.
The council and our partners continue to be here for you. We are trying to make it as easy as possible in these unprecedented times for everyone to access the support they need as we navigate through one of the most turbulent and difficult financial periods this country has seen for many years.”
The council has also launched the Stockport money advice referral tool’ (SMART) for colleagues who work with residents and businesses. Working closely with partnersThe council has also launched the Stockport money advice referral tool’ (SMART) for colleagues who work with residents and businesses. Working closely with partners from across the borough, the tool has been developed to allow colleagues to signpost residents who need local services that can help their situation.
The tool will now be distributed across council staff, as well as partners (including the voluntary and community sector).
Councillor Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, added: “Through the Cost-of-Living roundtable we were able to gather some fantastic ideas and insights from the voluntary and community groups we met. I’m proud that we have acted so quickly in developing and sharing our SMART tool to better equip those on the front line to best help and support those in need.
“We have also been able to quickly develop support for our businesses, leaflets and posters for people that are not online and over 100 warm spaces with provision in every ward across Stockport. We are moving at pace and are committed to ensuring our residents and businesses are supported at this unprecedented time.”
To find out more about the help and support available, visit the council website.
