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Dear Wiltshire Money Members,

Wiltshire Money Newsletter | March 2022 | No. 5

Welcome to the latest edition of the Wiltshire Money Newsletter. This newsletter contains local, regional and national news, information and training opportunities relevant to supporting financial inclusion.

New Free Courses

Spurgeons Wiltshire Children’s Centres have a whole range of FREE courses starting in the next few weeks across Wiltshire. Check out our ‘What’s Happening’ poster for information.

Wiltshire Children’s Centre Sessions

We have some exciting new sessions running in March including Bear hunt themed sessions and the return of our Scrapstore sessions.

Please do promote with any families you are working with.

For more information on any children’s centre services please visit our website: www.wiltshirechildrenscentres.org.uk.

North Wiltshire Children’s Centre Services 2022

The RISE Trust supports many projects in North Wiltshire. They manage four designated Children’s Centre buildings in Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne. They provide Children’s Centre services for the Corsham, Cricklade, Malmesbury and Purton areas. They also run Youth services, such as mentoring and youth groups. In addition to Children’s Centre-based and school-based activities they run events around Chippenham and North Wiltshire.

RISE have published their North Wiltshire Children’s Centre Programme for 2022.

Services are free for Families with an under 5-year-old living under Wiltshire Council Local Authority. RISE are offering a blended delivery with courses accessible virtually or face to face.

Funding for heating system replacements/repairs

The Centre for Sustainable Energy have funding available to home owners and private tenants in Wiltshire which can help with replacing or repairing heating systems (all types included) and installing smart heating controls. They have provided a leaflet which summarises the support they can offer and the eligibility criteria.

They are also more than happy to send out hard copy leaflets for distribution to any clients who could benefit from this help. You can also refer clients to the fund by filling out the referral form. If you have any questions or requests, please contact Shareen Elnagy - Project Officer, Centre for Sustainable Energy.

Cost of living crisis: Snapshot of how biggest squeeze in 60 years is set to batter millions of Britons

The Independent, 05/03/2022, Colin Drury

Millions of households across the UK are bracing themselves to feel the pain when the cost of living crisis deepens next month.

Citizens Advice case study Jane is a full time carer. Jane says: "Everything is so hard. There is always another expense coming down. You finish every day shattered just from trying to get by.”

Energy price rises hit homes

People are starting to receive notices from their energy suppliers outlining how much more they will pay. Some are being told of a projected rise in their annual bill of well over £1,000. In April, a new cap means that a typical domestic energy bill will rise by about £700 a year, to around £2,000. We’re seeing more people visit our online help pages this year than at any other time during the pandemic, with particular interest in guides on help in paying energy bills.

Read more in BBC News.

How will the price cap affect my payments in 2022?

With the energy price cap rising, customers are wondering if they should change tariffs. The best way to find a new supplier is through a price comparison site and households may also be able to find a cheaper deal by calling suppliers directly. All suppliers that offer a default tariff have to cap it in line with Ofgem's rules but they’re not required to actively market these deals which can make them difficult to find. If your energy supplier goes bust, our Gillian Cooper said, “If you’re a customer of a failed supplier, Ofgem will move you onto a different one. This can take a few weeks, but your gas and electricity supply will continue in the meantime.”

Read more in The Telegraph.

Wednesday 9th March 2022 - Formal Meeting (oral evidence session): The cost of living

Tomorrow, the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee will be taking more evidence on the rising cost of living. They’ll hear from:

• Jack Monroe @BootstrapCook

• @MorganVine_ (@IndependentAge)

• Peter Smith (@NEA_UKCharity)

• Economists and policy experts

The session will begin at 9:15 AM and can be watched at Parliamentlive.tv or via the Work and Pensions Select Committee Twitter account.

Financial Wellbeing strategy launched

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) have published their 10-year Financial Wellbeing strategy for achieving the vision of ‘everyone making the most of their money and pensions’.

Working with hundreds of partners, the plans make recommendations on how organisations can play their part in delivering stronger financial wellbeing outcomes for their employees, both now and in the future. The plans also consider the impact of the COVID pandemic on people’s finances.

MaPS are holding a webinar on 30 March to give more details about the plan. It is open to everyone; you just need to register in advance.

Free Webinar: How low-income families can benefit from social tariffs

Date: Wednesday 30 March

Time: 10:30 - 12:00

Millions of families under pressure from the rising cost of living are missing out on savings on their utility and broadband bills that could make a big difference. Research shows that savings of up to £144 a year for broadband alone are being left on the table. This is money that can help people to stay connected, an essential part of the way we live, work and learn.

Lack of awareness of the support available for families is a problem. Research from Ofwat suggests that only 15% of people knew about affordability support and similar research by National Energy Action puts that figure at just 8%.

As well as unclaimed benefits of around £15 billion a year, there is a complex and evolving network of other support available for people who need it. Frontline advisors need the latest information about social tariffs so they can help customers on their income maximisation journeys.

Join this webinar to learn:

• What social tariffs are available from water, energy, broadband and other suppliers

• Why take up of social tariffs is low and how this can be addressed

• Support tools that can help frontline advisors

Stop Loan Sharks Training - new dates added for April, May and June

Free online 1-hour training seminars - could you spot a loan shark?

With the cost of living rising there is a concern that people might turn to illegal money lenders. Learn more about the England Illegal Money Lending Team though our training seminars:

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 7TH APRIL 2022

• 10:00 – MONDAY 11TH APRIL 2022

• 10:00 – TUESDAY 26TH APRIL 2022

• 10:00 – WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL 2022

• 10:00 – FRIDAY 6TH MAY 2022

• 10:00 – TUESDAY 10TH MAY 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 12TH MAY 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 19TH MAY 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 26TH MAY 2022

• 10:00 – TUESDAY 7TH JUNE 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 9TH JUNE 2022

• 10:00 – TUESDAY 14TH JUNE 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 16TH JUNE 2022

• 10:00 – TUESDAY 28TH JUNE 2022

• 10:00 – THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2022

Links to the training will be sent to you before your session.

Rolling programme of our Domestic Abuse Courses: Freedom and You and Me Mum

Spurgeons Childrens’ Charity would like to reming you about their rolling programme of our Domestic Abuse Courses – Freedom and You and Me Mum. Their next round will be starting in January.

Please contact the centre for more information and/or complete a Course Introduction Form.

Course Timetable - January to March 2022

Please see our poster with dates and venues for courses next year, January to March. These might be subject to change but will give everyone an opportunity to see what we are offering.

In addition to these courses we also offer support for Breastfeeding via Microsoft Teams three times a week and our Domestic Abuse Courses which will continue on a rolling programme.

Wiltshire and Swindon Credit Union (WASCU) have produced a general promotional brochure as a quick guide to who they are, what they do, and how they can help. The brochure can be found here. WASCU would like to encourage you to share it with any interested parties.

The friendly WASCU team based in the Swindon office is waiting to hear from you and will answer your questions. Visit www.wascu.co.uk to find out more or call 01793 522216.

Wiltshire Digital Drive - applications open from schools, charities and voluntary organisations.

Applications are now open for the Wiltshire Digital Drive. The Wiltshire Digital Drive is a not-for-profit community interest company. Their main goal is to bridge the digital divide in Wiltshire by providing access to technology to people who fall between the cracks of not quite qualifying for government support, while at the same time being unable to afford up-to-date technology. They do this by receiving donations of old or unused laptops, tablets and PC’s from businesses or members of the general public. They spread their message mostly through referrals and word of mouth.

To be eligible, your organisation must be based in Wiltshire or a neighbouring county and be a school, nursery or pre-school, local council, town or parish council, charity, or voluntary organisation. Wiltshire Digital Drive is unable to accept applications from individuals. However, individuals are encouraged to get in touch with one of the above organisations and request that the organisation applies on their behalf. The application form is available through their website.