Pulling together for winter

As the weather gets colder now, we are reminding our staff to be extra vigilant around their clients, neighbours and loved ones, ensuring that their heating is on, and warm enough to keep everyone safe and well. Despite the cap on energy, living costs are still astronomical for us all, and we must do what we can to help those close to us. Here are some ideas that we have passed to our team to help out in their own neighbourhoods:

Soup for two: If you know someone you think might be struggling a little with food shopping, why not put a few more veggies in your soup and take some round. “I made too much!” – can often remove any awkwardness around receiving food.

Find out about any community gatherings, from lunches to Bingo nights, and offer to take them there one evening. Sometimes it’s just about getting over the fear of visiting a new place that holds us back from great friendship opportunities.

Where you can, help out to see if your neighbours are getting all the support they are due, from council food boxes to additional grants for their energy bills. It’s a few hours for you, but could make all the difference to your neighbour or loved one.

Keep local vulnerable people in your thoughts, and be mindful of things that may help them or interest them. That could be handing in a flyer for a local event, or taking a few extra reduced items for them, on your regular shop.

This winter is set to be one of the most difficult that we have had for a very long time; pulling together can help make it a little less daunting for our vulnerable neighbours.