How can we help?

Cost of Living Crisis – What help is out there

The recent promise of an energy price CAP has brought some relief for hard pressed individuals and families. However, costs continue to rise putting immense pressure on household budgets. The staff and directors at Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust are working with funders, community groups and other stakeholders to see what can be done to ease the impact of the cost of living crisis.

Brolly Group

You will recall that during the pandemic, the response to the crisis was led by the Brolly Group, a pan-community organisation comprising the S&FCT, Knockie Trust, Community Council and Boleskine Community Care. This has reassembled to coordinate the response to the cost of living crisis with Trust staff providing technical and admin support.

What is happening?

Ideas on how best to respond are currently being collated – please get in touch with Tony Foster by emailing tony-ceo@sfctrust.org.uk if you have suggestions. Below are ideas that could help people reduce their living costs:

• Help with bills.

The Knockie Trust has agreed to manage the distribution of community benefit funds to individuals and families who are facing hardship. An initial sum of £10,000 has been allocated to help meet food and heating costs. More information on this will be circulated shortly.

• Warm Space Wednesday.

The search is on for buildings that can be made available during the winter where people work and meet and save on the cost of heating their own home. Wildside is currently open for community members to use for work on a Wednesday. In October, the Trust will launch ‘Warm Space Wednesday’, where all areas of The Wildside Centre will be open for you to meet socially, use the kitchen space, children’s play equipment etc. The Pilates class is on between 10am and 11am, after which the room will be available. The front room is free all day. Members of the Brolly Group are looking at what space they can make available.

• Soup to Go every Monday at The Wildside Centre.

They offer a healthy, low-cost meal and the opportunity to socialise in a warm and comfortable environment. You can also have your meal delivered.

• Toddler Group meets every Thursday at The Wildside Centre.

This gives families with young children the opportunity to make use of a community space and kitchen facilities as well as being able to socialise with other community members with young children.

• Boleskine Community Care has a range of activities available on a weekly and monthly basis at the Hub in Lower Foyers, including coffee mornings, Broth n Blether, and art, singing & fitness sessions. A full list of what’s going in in September can be found on our What's on  on the Boleskine Community Care Website here.

• Daily Drop In

The Hub is also open for drop-ins daily between 11am and 1pm, so please do call in for a warm drink and a chat when you are passing!

• The Whitebridge Hotel team is running their much loved Fish Friday and extend a warm invitation to all to enjoy a fish tea. It is an opportunity to meet new people in the community in the comfort of their lovely dining space at the Hotel. The food is offered at a discounted price and there will be activities to add to the fun; music of your choice, a wee quiz or game and a good old natter. You are advised to book in advance. The hotel is also offering a discount on food and accommodation for members of the Stratherrick and Foyers Community. Contact the Hotel at info@whitebridgehotel.co.uk or by telephone 01456 486226 for more information

• Firewood

In rural populations such as ours, open fires and wood burning stoves are a means of heating your home. Forestry and Land Scotland can sell the remnants of harvesting jobs on a first-come, first-served basis. There are options available here for individuals to purchase small amounts for their own use, or it may be possible for a larger load to be bought at a lower price for community use. Contact F&LS at enquiries.north@forestryandland.gov.scot or by telephone 03000 676000 for more information.

• Highland Council clothing and meals support.

Clothing Grants and Free School Meals applications for the school term commencing August 2022 opened on 1 July 2022. The School Clothing Grant is £140 for Primary School children and £150 for High School children. To apply for a grant, you will find an online application form here https://tinyurl.com/2s2ahrbt If you have any issues with our online application form or questions about the free school meals and clothing assistance scheme, then contact Highland Council by email at clothingandmeals@highland.gov.uk. Alternatively, Highland Council’s Welfare Support Team can be contacted at welfare.support@highland.gov.uk for advice and assistance in making an application.

• Young Scot Card.

All young people between the ages of 11 and 26 are entitled a Young Scot Card, which entitles the owner to a wide range of discounts - examples include Vue Cinema, Harry Gow - 20% max £1 off, and 10% off your shopping at the Coop. In January, free bus travel was also added to this. For a full list of what discounts are available, visit www.youngscot/discounts-and-rewards/discounts