The Royal Borough has issued the following statement about support that’s available this winter for struggling households from various agencies including the West Windsor Hub run by Cllr Carole da Costa.
Statement:
Following the extension of the government’s Household Support Fund, the next round of help for residents struggling with essential costs this winter has been launched by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.
As in previous rounds, the latest £587,000 funding pot will be used to provide one-off payments of £150, to help with the cost of essentials and bills, and free school meal vouchers, for those struggling to provide food for their children during the school holidays.
The council is working with partners, including voluntary groups and community organisations across the borough, to identify residents in need and help them to access a wide range of support. As part of the council’s commitment to ensure that young people have a good start in life and opportunities through to adulthood – support will automatically be made available to care leavers in the borough.
Applications for the discretionary funding are considered on a first come, first served basis. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, be resident in the borough. The Fund will remain open until the end of March 2025 or until all the funding has been allocated – whichever is first.
Cllr Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services said: “We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable households in the borough get the support they need, especially those facing financial hardship in challenging times.
“The extension of the Household Support Fund enables us to provide much-needed help to our most vulnerable households and assist them with the cost of essentials, including food and energy, this winter, as part of wider support available through the council and our partners across the borough.”
Previous funding rounds of the Household Support Fund have helped residents in a variety of ways. Some residents, for example, have used the funding to assist them with transport costs to carer support groups and mental health meetings, others have used it to pay for new heated blankets to reduce heating costs, whilst others have used the Fund to help with unexpected costs that risked putting them in financial difficulty.
More information on the partners delivering the fund and how to contact them can be found online
The Household Support Fund is just one way that residents can access help in the Royal Borough – from assistance with childcare costs and council tax, access to food banks and help for mental and physical wellbeing, to money management skills and debt advice, further support is available. For more information on relevant support in the Royal Borough visit: RBWM Together ‘Here to Help’ Hub
Residents can contact Citizens Advice East Berkshire on 0808 278 7914 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or attend the drop-in service on Marlow Road, Maidenhead on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am-12pm, for information on this fund and wider support or if they are unable to access more information online.
ENDS
| Harry Cottle Communications OfficerCommunications ServiceChief Executive’s DirectorateRoyal Borough of Windsor & MaidenheadTown Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF |
Full Local List is
| Windsor Sources | Contact Details |
| Abri Housing Association | Telephone: 0300 123 1 567 or Visit Abri’s Customer Support webpage |
| Age Concern Windsor | Telephone: 01753 860685 – (Voice Mail) or Email: info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk |
| Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Social Prescribing service for the Primary Care networks | Access to social prescribers is via local GP practices. |
| West Windsor Hub | Telephone: 01753 342 110 – Website: www.westwindsorhub.org.uk |
| The Baby Bank | Email: info@thebabybank.org |
Complete list at https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/household-support-fund