Norfolk County Council has released details of the multi-million-pound support package that is available to communities facing financial challenges this winter.
This funding is made up of the latest round of the Household Support Fund from the government, which is worth £6.7m and is being bolstered by the county council with a further £1.2m, adding to the already significant investments planned for Norfolk communities.
Cllr Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said:
“We know that some of our residents face financial challenges this winter with the massive increase in the cost-of-living, particularly rising energy costs and food prices. This extended package of investment will help those most in need to access additional support over the winter months, including help with energy and water costs.
"The County Council has invested heavily over the last 12 months and is committed to the continuation of vital support to Norfolk Households this Winter, including adding £1.2m to the latest round of Household Support Funds in addition to wider, longer-term investment into our communities”
“Building on the strong partnerships established across Norfolk, we are working alongside the district councils, the voluntary sector, and schools to make sure we can reach those who need this support the most. It will also provide some much-needed help over the Christmas period.”
The funding will enable the continuation of the excellent partnership work that has happened across the county date, including creation of 15 food hubs across the County through a pioneering collaboration with the community foundation. This has supported 12,000 people already, with other parts of the country seeking to learn from this best practice.
To date the cost-of-living support through the multi-million-pound package has helped over 128,000 households with £14.3m of funding. People can see which support they are eligible for and apply for help online at through the Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS).
The continuation of the Household Support Fund will be spent in several areas:
- £3.6m for cost-of-living vouchers to families of free school meals eligible children with those eligible receiving a total of £120 in vouchers per child for the period
- £2.7m to continue the county council’s existing Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) which provides emergency financial help, essential household goods, and advice and support for all Norfolk residents in need
- £0.9m for district councils to provide community support which targets those most in need, and focuses on providing initial emergency support, as well as providing onwards referral via the NAS
- £0.4m of support targeted to voluntary and community groups, via the Norfolk Community Foundation, enabling Norfolk’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, faith groups, and town and parish councils to enable direct support to some of our most vulnerable communities
- £0.22m to voluntary and community organisations to cover core costs for providing warm spaces for vulnerable people to access and provide signposting for additional help or support that they might need
- £0.084m to support libraries to continue their “Warm and Well” schemes, and “Grab and Go” bags, including free sanitary products
