Published on Monday 12 June 2023
Further support to help households tackle the rise in the cost of living is being made available following the announcement of a government award of £5.3 million to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.
The fourth round of the BCP Housing Support Fund will focus on costs associated with food, energy, water and other essentials, and will be available until the end of March 2024.
The Household Support Fund is being used to help all eligible residents who are struggling with the rise in the cost-of-living and the council is working closely with local community partners to help households.
Funds have been allocated to provide a small grants scheme, administered through Dorset Community Foundation.
The BCP Food and Energy Support Fund is now open for applications from the community and voluntary sector to fund a variety of cost-of-living initiatives until 31 March 2024. The deadline for applications is midday, Friday 30 June 2023.
The fund will continue to provide the flexible food support scheme through schools and Family Information Service.
Food vouchers will be provided to eligible children, young people and their families every school holiday over the grant period.
Vulnerable residents will be offered help and guidance from Ridgewater Energy, to help them save energy and keeping them warm in their homes.
Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities said:
"The cost-of-living crisis means many individuals and families are struggling to afford the basics and are now experiencing financial hardship, especially with the increase in the cost of food and fuel.
"We value the incredible work that local community groups and charitable organisations are doing to support those in need and welcome the opening of grant applications from Dorset Community Foundation. I'd urge groups that are helping people with the cost of living in their communities to apply for funding to support their activities.
"We will be working closely with our partners including schools and Citizen’s Advice BCP and Ridgewater Energy to ensure those households that are most in need can access help and support."
Zoe Bradley, Chief Executive Office for Citizens Advice Bournemouth,Christchurch and Poolesaid "The cost-of-living crisis continues to affect our communities at an unprecedented scale. The Household Support Fund has provided a lifeline to our communities, and we’re pleased to be supporting BCP Council again in distributing funds to help our residents with fuel and food affordability.
"We are grateful to our communities for their patience in waiting for the distribution of vouchers, due to unprecedented demand, and the significant efforts our staff and volunteers have made to ensure all eligible applications are processed as quickly as possible."
Grant Robson, Dorset Community Foundation Director added:
"In previous funding partnerships with the council we have seen grants to our fantastic grass roots groups and charities making a huge impact in communities where families and individuals are really struggling with the cost-of-livingcrisis. The feedback we’ve received is that the money we’ve been able to distribute has been a lifeline and I’m certain it will be the case again."
Ridgewater Energy offer free energy advice home visits, access to various grants and schemes, which may include free loft and cavity insulation, through Healthy Homes Dorset.
Free Energy and Money Advice booklets are available online and in a wide range of community venues. There may be limited help with repairing or replacing gas boilers for owner occupiers. Find out more and check eligibility, info@ridgewaterenergy.co.uk or phone 01202 612726.
Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole will continue to support eligible low-income local families who are struggling with their food and energy bills.
The next round of applications of the Household Support Fund grants will be open on 17 July and will continue throughout the year on a quarterly basis.
Residents seeking further help, or who would prefer to speak to someone face-to-face, can visit Citizen’s Advice via their Community Advice Vehicle, at the following locations:
Monday 12 June
1pm-4pm – St Immanuel’s Church, Southbourne, BH6 3QJ
Tuesday 13 June
10am-12pm – ASDA, West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JQ
1pm-4pm – Alderney Hospital, BH12 4NB
Wednesday 14 June
10am-12pm – St James Church, Jimmy’s Foodbank, Poole, BH15 1JN
1pm-4pm – Parkstone Reformed Church, Poole, BH14 0JW
Thursday 15 June
1pm-4pm – Somerford Youth Centre (Opposite the Food Pantry), BH23 3AH
Friday 16 June
10am-12pm and 1pm-3:30pm Parkstone United Reformed Church
Further dates are available, as well as dates for regular drop-in and community outreach sessions here: Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole
Residents can also access cost-of-living information at our libraries.
There will be additional activities and information being shared in the winter months about keeping warm.
Last winter, warm welcome spaces became available in the community. Many of these spaces continue to stay open all year round as places for people to come and connect with others and feel part of their local community. To find out more visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/warmwelcomespaces
Community and voluntary organisations can find out more about the small grants and apply: BCP Food and Energy Support Fund - Dorset Community Foundation
Find out about other support on our Household Support Fund 4 (bcpcouncil.gov.uk) pages and from Home - Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole (citizensadvicebcp.org.uk)