If you are having difficulty feeding your family and paying your bills during the pandemic BCP Council is urging you not to suffer in silence.

Last December, the authority launched its Winter Support campaign having received funding from the government’s COVID-19 Winter Grant Scheme.

Since the launch, the council has been contacted by 455 residents by phone or contact form for support. To date, 610 individuals and families across the BCP area have been provided with food vouchers (including those who had contacted the family information service directly) and 103 households have received help to stay warm this winter.

BCP Council has also worked with 96 schools, two colleges and early years providers to ensure that children in the BCP area had access to food over the Christmas school holidays, providing vouchers for food to around 9,000 children. These vouchers will also be provided for the February half term.

In December over 950 Food Bank vouchers were issued across the BCP area from a range of community providers, giving food for more than 2,500 individuals.

Ways to access support:

For help accessing food if you are affected by the pandemic call the Together We Can helpline: 0300 1237052 (Mon – Fri / 9am – 5pm).

If you are a family looking for support with food costs, or a family / individual seeking Winter Warmth utility bill support call the Citizens Advice helpline 01202 081 732 (Mon – Fri / 10am – 4pm).

Information on accessing food help and a map of places offering community food support: bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communityfood

Information on mental health support please visit: bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mentalhealthcovid

If residents wish to help their local community by donating food and other items, or volunteering, visit: bcpcouncil.gov.uk/helpwintersupport