Posted on Monday 10th October 2022
A trial running in Newcastle will see targeted families given a slow cooker to help them with budgeting this winter.
It’s all part of the new ‘Here to help’ campaign that provides information, advice and support on managing those cost of living pressures.
The county council will be directing people to support on things like managing debt, paying bills, food and essentials, staying warm and helping others.
Money from the Household Support Fund to fund nearly 1,400 slow cookers, which are being given out to vulnerable and low-income families in Newcastle.
Along with each slow cooker, families will be given recipe cards to help them make the most out of their food.
To receive a cooker, families and individuals must be known to county council services and have a key worker. This will include care leavers, Aspire Housing tenants, schools in certain areas, and people with learning disabilities.
Those eligible have already been contacted and invited to pick up their cooker over the next few weeks.
County Councillor Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
“With the cost of living rising, we know that many people will struggle especially during the winter months. This pilot is targeted at vulnerable families in Newcastle who we feel will benefit from advice and guidance on how to make the most out of their weekly shop.
“Getting support early can make a big difference and our ‘Here to help’ campaign will help people find information and advice to help them manage those cost of living pressures.
“If this pilot in Newcastle is successful, there is the possibility that it can be rolled out to other areas of the county.”