Posted on Thursday 23rd November 2023
Library Supervisor Sarah Sproston, at Stafford Library’s Community Help Point.
Residents looking for information about local services or support to deal with cost-of-living pressures can do so at 26 Community Help Points stationed across Staffordshire.
Community Help Points assist people in accessing a variety of information, activities and resources to make everyday life easier.
This includes help with:
- Using the internet to find important information.
- Finding out where to buy equipment and technology to make daily living easier.
- Accessing befriending services.
- Identifying local paid home help services, such as cleaners and gardeners.
There are 26 Community Help Points across the county, including libraries and community centres.
Referrals are made by staff at Staffordshire County Council as well as local social work teams, and people can also refer themselves or others directly to individual help points.
Two community help points can be found at Stafford and Stone Library, which Keeley Spilsbury has been supervising for several years now.
Recently, she helped a young man who loved to garden with his granddad take part in a volunteering day so he could get involved with Stone in Bloom.
Keeley also connected a Barlaston man with a volunteer car scheme because he struggled to get out and about and wanted to be more independent.
Keeley said:
“It had been sorted that he could have someone come to his home and they brought him some fish and chips. He said it was the best thing that had happened in a long time and was so happy.
“I have been doing the community help points for quite a few years now and, even though it can sometimes be a hard or even an upsetting conversation to have with people, it is so rewarding when you find a solution that helps enrich someone’s life through finding volunteering opportunities or helping someone take back control by getting them help with DIY, cleaning, transport or someone to talk to.
“There are so many vulnerable people out there. To be able to help just one person who is struggling gives you such a feeling of joy.”
Cabinet member for Communities and Culture at SCC, Victoria Wilson, said:
“Our community help points have been a lifeline for many people across Staffordshire.
“This project has always been about connecting residents to their communities and support available locally.
“If you know someone who isn’t online but would benefit from speaking to someone, please direct them to a local community help point for advice and support.”
Staffordshire County Council’s Here To Help campaign focuses on sharing information, advice and support to help residents manage cost-of-living pressures.
You can view a full list of where to find your nearest help point and how to contact them on Staffordshire County Council's dedicated cost-of-living website.