People needing help with winter provisions or somewhere friendly to escape the cold can benefit from two interactive maps.
Published: Wednesday, 13th December 2023
Cherwell District Council is reminding residents that support with the cost of living is available for those who need it as Christmas approaches. To help make this support as accessible as possible, easy-to-use online maps showing the nearest warm spaces and centres offering access to food are available.
The food map is hosted by Good Food Oxford and includes foodbanks, community fridges and larders throughout the district. And the council has now launched a warm spaces map, which features nearly 50 locations where people can get out of the cold and access information about help with the cost of living.
People can also access the Citizen’s Advice money advice service, which Cherwell funds to help with issues such as problem debt and accessing benefits. For anyone in need of immediate, one-off financial help, there is the Resident Support Scheme, administered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Councillor Phil Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities, said: “We know that with the arrival of winter many people in the district will be worried about rising fuel bills and how this will impact their household finances. It has always been our goal to provide a local support offer that complements national cost of living support measures.
“Our new warm spaces map will make it easier for people to find a friendly place to get out of the cold. These welcoming venues also offer information about further support that is out there, which includes help with access to food, direct financial assistance, and with keeping fuel bills down.
“We are extremely grateful to the large numbers of community centres and other venues which are opening their doors this winter. Advice and support are not only available online or over the phone – in many cases they are closer than people may realise, at a warm space near them.”
The council also supports Better Housing Better Health (BHBH), which provides free, impartial help and advice on energy efficiency and on switching providers to save money.
To find contact details for BHBH, the money advice service, and other information about cost of living support, clock below