ADVISORS in Bradford are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand for support amid the cost of living crisis.
Razina Bostan of Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale explained to the Telegraph & Argus: “A lot of people are ringing us up and saying can you help me, I have no money left and I am running out of food – I’ve hardly got anything left in the cupboard and my electricity meter is going to run out soon too.
“I started as a volunteer at CAB in 1994 and have never experienced a time period like this before. It’s unprecedented the number of people we are dealing with who are in poverty or hardship and are in need of support due to the cost of living crisis.
“We are getting to the point now where we are beginning to run out of options in terms of advice and practical solutions – particularly with people who have reached the maximum level of help they can receive.
“With foodbanks, for example, people are getting to the point where they have reached the limit for foodbank referrals for the month. Many services also close over Christmas, so we are pointing people to warm hubs and free food outlets. Some have food from a foodbank but cannot cook it due to the cost of fuel so their only hot foods would be from the soup vans.”
Razina and the team at Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale will be available via their telephone adviceline on 08082 787828 over the Christmas period. Such is demand that there are no walk-in appointments, and face-to-face appointments may only be arranged after an initial telephone consultation.
The adviceline is closed between December 24 and 27, and December 31 and January 2, and is operating shorter hours over the festive period.
What cost of living support is available in Bradford?
Bradford Council has a dedicated Cost of Living website which details what is available locally to help those in need.
It provides details and links to Government and housing support, as well as food resources, help with energy and bills, and feeding the family.
In addition the website also provides information on Warm Spaces across the district - venues where people can gather for free in a warm, welcoming place and perhaps enjoy a hot drink as well as some company,
This network is made up of libraries, community centres, church halls, sports clubs and other places that are opening their doors to welcome in anyone struggling to heat their home.
The website is available at costoflivingbradford.co.uk.
For those seeking information on access food parcels through local foodbanks, and up-to-date information about sources of free food at venues across Bradford and Keighley, the district’s foodbanks have a website to help at bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk.
There are three Trussell Trust foodbanks covering the district as well as a number of independent and church-run foodbanks.
According to Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale, one of the quickest ways to access foodbank support, is to call the Help Through Hardship helpline on 0808 2082138.
This is run by national Citizens Advice and the Trussell Trust and can offer emergency food parcel referrals with an e-voucher to help those eligible to access a food parcel without delay. The helpline will be open until 5pm on December 22 and will reopen on January 3.
Nationally Citizens Advice has compiled advice and information online including benefits, cost of living payments, help with energy bills and essential costs, and applying for a charitable grant.
This information can be accessed at citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living.
Other sources of support include:
National Citizens Advice specialist debt advice service: 0800 240 4420
National Debtline charity: 0808 808 4000
Shelter (for housing emergencies): 0808 800 4444
First Response (mental health crisis support in Bradford & Craven: 0800 952 1181
Samaritans: call 116 123 – lines are open 365 days a year.
NHS: 111 for medical advice.
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