Council helps ease the financial squeeze

Rossendale Council has announced a £400,000 package of support for local people and community groups.  

In the wake of the national cost of living crisis the council is keen to support Rossendale’s most vulnerable residents particularly through the Winter months.

From 17 November the council is launching its ‘Ease the Squeeze’ campaign. This will see £328,000 of funding used to support local food banks, the Citizens Advice Bureau and local voluntary groups. Organisations like Raft, the Rossendale Food Box Project, Positive Start, the Lighthouse Project and food banks run in Crawshawbooth and the Trinity Baptist Church will all benefit from the additional funding. 

The council will also be providing over £100,000 to Homewise to provide home energy efficiency projects such as insulation and central heating for the most vulnerable. Homewise work across East Lancashire providing a wide range of practical help and advice to help people make their homes more energy efficient. 

The council has been signposting residents to energy efficiency, debt, hardship and other advice for some weeks. This is enabling residents to access a wider range of support and advice.  

The council is keen to raise awareness of the support that’s out there for residents.  

Alyson Barnes, the Leader of the Council stated: “These are really challenging times for local people. Everyone is feeling the squeeze and we are keen to help those most in need.  

“We think this package of additional support will be able to help some of Rossendale’s most vulnerable people through the coming months.” 

For more information on the support available residents should visit the council’s website: https://bit.ly/colcrbc