Column by the leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Toby Savage.

As our area continues its recovery from the pandemic, people who need further financial support can now access a new Household Support Fund. Our share of the Government’s £500 million commitment to this Fund bolsters the support already in place to help vulnerable households and individuals.

The new Fund offers a lifeline to those struggling to manage their bills during the winter. Residents in South Gloucestershire, who are over 18 years old, and in need of immediate or long-term support can apply. Funding could cover food, energy and water bills, and other broader essentials from warm clothing to white goods, like fridges and ovens.

Due to the limited amount of funds available, we will prioritise items necessary for day to day living, but other essential types of support will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Find out more and apply online here southglos.gov.uk/household-support-fund or call 01454 868009.

The support is in addition to what the council and its partners already offer to enable people and businesses to recover and thrive. You can find these on our Covid-19 advice and support pages on our website. Examples include our community resilience fund for people whose finances have been impacted due to being made redundant or a cut in working hours. The financial hardship scheme offers businesses to claim help with their business rates. Free business advice, support and training services are also available.

If any person or business feels they are in difficulty, my main message is to reach out to the Council or Citizens Advice Bureau. If the answers are not online, we have staff in our One Stop Shops in Yate, Patchway and Kingswood, and our contact centre (01454 868009) who can provide guidance about what support could help you. The Citizens Advice Bureau (01454 334961) can also help in many circumstances, like applying for the Household Support Fund.

Beyond what support the council can provide for vulnerable households, a network of community organisations must be commended for their work. For example, North Bristol Foodbank covers Thornbury, Yate, and Mangotsfield, seeded by The Trussell Trust. Providing short-term, emergency support with food during a crisis means so much to the people who urgently need it.

With Christmas approaching, I hope Gazette readers can also join local councils and community groups to play their part. Our oneyou.southglos.gov.uk webpages provide information about local food banks and how people can either donate or volunteer.