Dear Residents,

We appreciate how many of our residents are finding this cost-of-living crisis so hard to cope with. There is help available locally and we have summarised some of the more useful sources. There is also more support information available on the Bracknell Forest website that you can access by clicking Bracknell Forest Council 

For Residents — There is a lot of support and advice available for residents on the web page, including: information on benefits; housing; council tax; energy bills; food and essentials; free school meals; water bills and links to other websites with essential information.

Help with Energy costs — If you have an energy debt, you may be able to get help from a charitable scheme or organisation to assist. British Gas offers grants that are open to anyone – you don’t have to be a customer. Visit British Gas Energy Trust to find out more.

There are also companies who offer grants specifically for their customers- npower Energy Fund; Scottish Power Hardship Fund; Ovo Debt and energy assistance; Eon Energy Fund ; EDF Energy Customer Support Fund

Warm Home Discount Scheme — Are you eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme – could be worth £140 off your bills?

Advice is also provided by other organisations such as:

• National Energy Action – Member of the Public Home Page – NEA
• Money Saving Expert-https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy/
• Turn2us-https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
• Citizens Advice Bureau-https://www.citizensadvicebracknell.org.uk/

Other advice and information sources include:

• https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/
• Fighting UK Poverty – Turn2us
• https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/coronavirus/money-navigator-tool?source=mas
• https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

It is worth phoning your energy supplier to see if you can come to a deal regarding payment plans. One resident was told she had a balance on her electricity account and her monthly bill was reduced from £211 per month to £85 a month fixed for two years.

As your Councillors we are also able to offer advice and signposting.

Community Winter Hubs are being organised in Bracknell Forest, including libraries, to provide a safe and warm environments for residents throughout this winter. Bracknell-Forest are looking for volunteers to run these so please get in touch with a Councillor if you can help. Again, information can be found on the Bracknell Forest web site.

The Great Hollands Hub run by the Community Association ( Chair Mary Temperton) meets every Friday from 2.00-4.00pm in the Great Hollands Community Centre. The Priestwood Hub run by the Priestwood Community Association (Chair Tricia Brown) meets every Wednesday from 12.30- 3.00pm in the Priestwood Community Centre.