On the 28th September 2022 we held an online event to look at what support was available in Pembrokeshire to people affected by increases in the cost of living. We heard from various organisations and a summation of what they said is outlined below.
Please note: each logo is a link to more information.
Frame – Frank Farrer, Community Fuel Advice Co-ordinator:
Tel: 07548 763457
Advice on utility bills, energy efficiency, carbon monoxide safety, household bills, Priority Service Register, referring you to partners like NEST and Dwr Cymru - Welsh Water.
Signposing to people who issue information. Helping clients look for information, on an ongoing basis until they are confident to do it on their own.
New funding – able to supply slow cookers, but also recipes, where to access food including community fridges, and how to get the best out of them.
Ady Poole
Tel no 07553 500400
Email: ady@takemetoo.org.uk
Sharing the messages around community transport and its availability. Examples include: Country Cars, PIVOT, Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport, Dial a Ride, Scoot – all cheaper options for people which exist either where traditional bus services either do not exist at all, or have poor coverage. Fleccsi Bus (in north east Pembs) is now being used much more by residents and visitors. PIVOT is working well as the home-from-hospital service. Volunteer drivers are always required and we will work with them to find a service they can assist with. Take me Too is a lift sharing scheme, launched in Pembs and drivers are now being recruited for this service too. The Take Me Too service matches drivers and people needing a lift: for all the relevant information on Take Me Too go to: www.takemetoo.org.uk
Gerry O Brian – Cwm Arian Renewable Energy
Email: energy@cwmarian.org.uk
Gerry works in the home energy department but there are many other elements to Cwm Arian.
A wind turbine that was sited in 2019 after many years wrangling over planning permission is just one of those elements: and once the turbine has paid back its loans it will generate income for the community. Growing better Connections is a project where we work with land owners, planting hedges, woodlands and orchards, providing opportunities for skill development in the local community.
There’s also a Feeding Our Community project where community groups are taught to grow produce in publicly accessible spaces. There is an apple juicing service that covers the whole of Pembrokeshire. There is a project called Heath and Hedgerow where we work with landowners and managers on an environmental basis, looking at composting hill side bracken. In Hermon we’ve developed a studio space where wellies are welcome – here we teach people how to grow produce and make things in a creative space. There will be a garden space there which will form part of the feeding the community project.
We have funding for community meals – at the moment, for 6 events across north Pembrokeshire – utilising local produce and operating on a pay what you can afford basis…sometimes a risky project as its often unclear who or how many will show up! But the project brings communities together for some company and great food. We have a fruit and bounty section which supports fruit themed enterprises in the county.
Our Home energy service mirrors what Frame are doing; advising on low-cost behaviour change in the home. Explaining benefits of smart meters and can also carrying out thermal imaging surveys to show people where the heat escapes from their home.
West Wales Care and Repair – Mike Turferey
Email: mike.turfery@wwcr.co.uk
Coverage of Pembs and Ceredigion, helping older people with income maximisation and adaptations including railings and steps. Home energy advice as well, seeking grants from Nest and others, providing draft excluders and radiator foils. Assisting in applying for grants from Government.
Zoe Davies – POINT
Tel: 01348 871887
POINT is a charity youth drop in centre in Fishguard, aiming to provide a 6 day per week, 50 week per year service, in a warm, safe welcoming space to young people aged 10-25. People have an opportunity to engage with us at a time that suits them. Since Covid, increased numbers by 50% - predicted to increase even more as winter goes on. We use digital tech, X-boxes, laptops, pool and table tennis tables to attract but offer the opportunity to engage in activities that young people might not get the chance to do at home.
One of the things we do that is becoming more and more important is our 25p meal provision, which we offer 5 days per week, provides the chance to get a healthy meal for a minimal price. If young people don’t have the 25p we don’t question too much and just provide. We are seeing an increase in those that do not have the 25p. Gardening, cooking and arts/crafts are also on offer to engage young people. We also offer 2.5 days per week of professional counselling for our young people. There is a mentoring service to enable older people to work with young people as positive role models.
Lesley Matthews – Fishguard Community Fridge
Email: foodsaverchamp@gmail.com
Open every day except Thursday and Sunday. More recently, supermarkets are much cleverer – some sell food that is close to its sell by date in ‘too good to go bags’ at a reduced price. Getting hold of food waste is much more difficult. Morrisons in Haverfordwest and Lidl in Cardigan have been supporting us. Anyone can use us and its best to come in the morning. We don’t limit how much people take: The Community Fridge it is self-policing. .
Peninsula Community Pod
Louise
Email: foodsaverchamp@gmail.com
Historically known as Fishguard and St David’s Food Pod (from Covid times) we are now called Pembrokeshire Community Pod, covering the whole of the peninsula.
Formed as a food aid group in 2018 and raising money to combat school holiday hunger, we realised there was nowhere to donate the money so we ran it ourselves, offering free sandwiches and access to free groceries with no barriers so that even those who were proud and did not want to be seen as a charity case could access it. Our current model, working mainly from Fishguard :we provide a food parcel to families on Fridays, a parcel not intended as a complete food support service but as an assist.
What is holding us back is lack of a permanent base from which to operate, which means we can’t stockpile or, consequently, help people as we would want to. We’re supporting 25 households but a significant level of need in St David’s is hidden, e.g. pensioners who have no transport and cannot get to shops. Currently running from a weekly morning rental in Fishguard where we accept deliveries and pack parcels for those who need them: we accept anyone in need. If anyone knows of any space we can use in St David’s we would be very interested.
Karina Ashby MIND Pembrokeshire (Journey Project)
Tel: 07813 797615 or
Email: karina@mindpembrokeshire.org.uk
We work in partnership with Citizens Advice Pembs to help people solve practical issues as well as seeking to improve their mental health. Part of the service is that we can make quick direct referrals between the agencies: CAP work to advise on debts, benefits etc and they also support with energy bills and budgeting advice. Some help also on housing issues and negotiating between landlords and tenants. MIND assist with mental wellbeing, incorporating music and walking groups as well as arts and crafts. Active Monitoring service offered: 6 sessions based on cognitive behaviour strategies to help with various issues; a Resource Centre Drop In open 365 days of the year, including a 5pm-2am weekend drop-in which also supports by phones and text. Pembroke Dock centre just opened to assist with tenancy related issues; also includes young people sessions. To refer, look at the Mind website for the form.
Sue Mackie
Email: susan.mackie@atebgroup.co.uk
Housing Association for Pembs; CoL impacts across our properties, we offer budgeting advice and energy advice. Access to hardship fund for tenants if they need to access household goods or energy saving measures. If you work with anyone who lives in an ATEB property – please signpost them to us if they don’t know that we offer this help. We are having a cost-of-living conference in October. Referrals to other agencies is a big part of our work.