Hampshire charities warn of unprecedented need for cost-of-living support and insist more support is needed

A recent community roundtable hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation shone a spotlight on the impact that rising living costs are having on individuals and families in local communities.

Charities across Hampshire are reporting unprecedented demand for support as the cost of living crisis continues to impact vulnerable individuals and families. The roundtable brought together key organizations to discuss the challenges and call for additional support.

The current situation:

Charities across Hampshire are experiencing:

• Record numbers of people seeking help with basic needs
• Increased demand for food bank services
• More people struggling with energy bills and housing costs
• Rising numbers of people facing homelessness
• Increased mental health issues related to financial stress

Key findings from the roundtable:

Unprecedented demand:

• Food banks are seeing 40% more people than before the pandemic
• Energy advice services are overwhelmed with requests for help
• Housing charities are dealing with more eviction cases
• Mental health services are seeing increased demand

New groups needing support:

• Working families who previously didn't need help
• People with disabilities facing increased costs
• Elderly people struggling with fixed incomes
• Young people unable to afford independent living

What charities are calling for:

Immediate support:

• Increased funding for emergency support services
• More resources for food banks and community kitchens
• Additional energy advice and support
• Expanded mental health services

Long-term solutions:

• Increased benefits to match rising costs
• Better support for working families
• More affordable housing options
• Improved access to mental health services

How Citizens Advice Portsmouth is responding:

We're working hard to meet the increased demand by:

• Expanding our advice services
• Training more volunteers and staff
• Developing new support programs
• Working with other organizations to coordinate help

What you can do:

If you need help:

• Don't suffer in silence - contact us for advice
• Access local food banks and support services
• Check if you're entitled to additional benefits
• Look for local support groups and services

If you can help:

• Donate to local charities and food banks
• Volunteer your time and skills
• Support local businesses and community groups
• Advocate for better support for vulnerable people

Local support available:

If you're struggling with the cost of living, there's help available:

• Citizens Advice Portsmouth: Free advice on benefits, debt, and housing
• Food banks: Emergency food support
• Energy advice: Help with energy bills and efficiency
• Housing support: Help with housing problems and homelessness
• Mental health services: Support for mental health issues

The way forward:

While the situation is challenging, there's hope. By working together, we can:

• Support those who need help most
• Advocate for better government support
• Build stronger, more resilient communities
• Ensure no one is left behind

Don't struggle alone:

If you're facing financial difficulties, remember that you're not alone. There's help available, and you don't have to face these challenges by yourself.

Contact Citizens Advice Portsmouth today to find out how we can support you through these difficult times.

Together, we can get through this crisis and build a better future for everyone in our community.