FOODBANKS and volunteer centres across Evesham and Pershore are among the groups to share a near £300,000 cash injection from Wychavon District Council.
More than £297,000 has been made available to community groups and voluntary organisations to continue to support people affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wychavon has used funding from the Household Support Grant to continue to make sure people who need help accessing food or paying energy bills and other essential costs can still get the help they need.
It comes as families face a ‘year of the squeeze’ in 2022 according to a warning from a leading organisation.
The Resolution Foundation predicts higher energy bills, stagnant wages and tax rises could leave households with a £1,200 a year hit to their incomes.
Its report highlights the rise in the energy price cap and National Insurance contributions in April.
Cash from council chiefs includes more than £30,000 for food banks and community food programmes across Wychavon, more than £34,000 to organisations providing welfare support and more than £33,000 to volunteer centres in Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore.
Almost £96,500 has been given to South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau to continue to support people with debt advice, particularly those on Universal Credit.
Housing associations have received £80,000 to continue to support the wellbeing of their tenants and those facing crisis this winter, while £10,000 has been made available to support children and young people affected by the impact of the pandemic.
Coun Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Our voluntary and community sector has done an amazing job supporting people in need throughout the pandemic and this funding will allow them to continue that good work.”
Anyone needing help with their energy bills should contact Act on Energy on 0800 9882881 or email [email protected].
Anyone needing help with food and other supplies should visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help where they will be directed to the right organisation.
