More Covid impact reports
More reports on the impact of Covid-19, including an increase in destitution, people falling behind on housing payments, and deaths among homeless people, plus the impact of homeschooling on children and parents.
Powerhouse Project, by Citizens Advice Cornwall
Powerhouse, from Citizens Advice Cornwall, is a new project supporting young people in their energy use and energy spending. Do you work with any NEETs or care leavers who could benefit?
Winter wellbeing
Advice to share around keeping warm in winter, and additional funding and support for those experiencing hardship at the moment. Make sure you’re aware of what’s around, for those you work with.
Local developments and regeneration
A quick round-up of projects and schemes that have been given the go-ahead, or awarded funding lately including workspace centres in Penzance, Liskeard and Hayle, renewables generation and community centre expansion near Truro, and 14 small green schemes across Cornwall.
Financial help for residents – VCSE sector asked to help
Cornwall Council is asking the VCSE sector to help identify people who could apply for their Covid Winter Grant, to support those in poverty. Find out how, and who, here. Act Now!
Housing support
More accommodation is being offered for rough-sleepers, and the ban on evictions has been extended to mid February – housing support info also here.
Local and national surveys and consultations
Consultations to take part in – Cornwall Fire Service, Disability and Employment, availability of home abortions, and Housing – shared ownership plans and carbon monoxide & smoke alarms.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day today
This winter will be even more difficult for those in fuel poverty. Covid-19 is squeezing household finances further and compelling people to spend more time in their homes #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay #WarmSafeHomes
Toiletries Amnesty – donated toiletries for your service users in need?
Could your organisation benefit from donated toiletries? If so, find out more here about Toiletries Amnesty, an organisation linking support organisations with those who have toiletries to donate.
Housing and homelessness catch-up
Housing and homelessness – Winter Wellbeing and Fuel Poverty, Council housing demand rising, and people in rent arears increasing and information around street homelessness, to protect people from both COVID-19 and the cold this winter.
Benefits news and update
Benefits update – Lockdown changes, Winter fuel payments and Cold weather payments, plus changes to ESA, UC for self-employed people, and a ruling against housing benefit discrimination by landlords.
Langarth Garden Village planning consultation, and others
Cornwall Council’s consultations – the Langarth Garden Village, near Truro, Adult Social Care charging policy, and the Council’s budget. Make sure the voice of the sector, and the disadvantaged, is heard.
Focus on Poverty
News stories around poverty, including the Job Support Scheme, fuel poverty, free school meals and the tackling the cashless economy.
Council Tax and rent support
Cornwall Council has issued advice around council tax debt and rent arrears for households in financial difficulty. Make sure you know where to signpost people for help.
Share your views – Cornwall Council’s budget and the Government’s house-building plans
Have your say on two important consultations – Cornwall Council’s draft budget for 2021/22, and the Government’s housing proposals for Cornwall. Act now – these will impact us all.
Home Office plans to evict thousands of refused asylum seekers
The Government has announced that refused asylum seekers will be receiving notices to leave the UK within 21 days, from this week.
COVID response to rough sleepers in Cornwall
Emergency housing provision for homeless people in Cornwall has been made in hotels and holiday parks, but also bunkabins. Find out what a bunkabin is here!
Tesco Mobile helping tackle digital exclusion among homeless people
Tesco Mobile have joined forces with Crisis to help tackle digital exclusion amongst homeless people
Funding 6 August
Funding with short deadlines for community led organisations, challenging discrimination, fighting poverty and promoting human rights, Heritage organisations, and Arts for mental health. Plus health charities and energy advice. Plus news around SME grants, and a funding call for start-up business training/support.
Debt collections for utilities and bills
Ofgem announces that outstanding debt on energy bills can now be chased by energy companies. Council tax debt is still on hold in Cornwall, for the moment.