Cost of Living Support

Many residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That's why it's important to know what help and support is available now – that could benefit you, a relative, friend or neighbour.

Below you can find information and sources of support that could help you or someone you know. Find out about the local support being provided by #WarmGL11, use the link below to access Stroud District Council's information and advice.

#WarmGL11 is a group who have joined up to provide a community response to the cost of living crisis this winter. GL11 Community Hub, local churches, voluntary organisations, The Chantry Centre and local councils are all taking part.

As people struggle with rising heating bills, food prices and housing costs, the aim of #WarmGL11 is to make sure that there are warm spaces in Cam and Dursley, which are open for people to access warmth, free or low-cost food and get access to help and advice.

An estimated 40% of households will be in poverty this winter.

YOUR #WarmGL11 HUBS:

GL11 Community Hub

You can drop in to GL11 every Wednesday from 10am to 5pm for Cost of Living help and advice or for comfort, a nice chat and good company. See list below for what's on offer:

Money and debt advice
Help with benefits
Housing advice
Job seeking support
Community food pantry
Digital help and free wi-fi
Health and wellbeing support

The Café area serves hot meals and drinks all day for £1 - last food served at 4.30pm and the GL11 Community Pantry is open between 2pm and 5pm.

Dursley Methodist Church - Community Fridays

Runs every Friday 11am-2pm.

Offering free hots drinks, soup lunch for £1, free wi-fi, time to chat, film shows.

Dursley United Charity can offer to residents of Dursley, Cam, Stinchcombe and Uley who are in need, as this is more likely during the present Cost of Living stress. The DUC is an amalgamation of several historical local Charities, whose remit is to provide help to local residents in need, if they are identified by an organisation such as GL11 or a P3 Support Worker, who can apply for financial help on their behalf.

If you have further questions contact the DUC Clerk, who is Elizabeth Oakley and the email address is clerkatduc@gmail.com

Gloucestershire Libraries are offering free, warm and welcoming spaces in local communities across the county. Not all libraries are the same but all libraries will provide a basic offer that meets the requirements of the Warm and Welcome scheme. This includes Dursley Library.

Libraries are traditionally a place where people can go without judgement or cost.

The warm and welcome scheme means that when you visit, it will be:
Free – the spaces will be free with no hidden costs;
Warm – the spaces are heated and able to provide basic refreshments such as tea and coffee;
Welcoming – the spaces are inclusive, non-judgmental spaces where everyone can expect a warm welcome from staff and volunteers; and
Safe – as spaces we will abide by our usual safeguarding policies. Staff will make basic signposting information available to people who need further support and help.

The Dursley Tabernacle URC Community Food Hub have a food cart outside the church on the grassed area.

The Hub volunteers collect surplus food from local supermarkets/producers and make it available for free to the community from the cart. The aim is to work together to help people save money and also the planet, by reducing food waste.

Just help yourself to what you need (if it's eggs, they welcome the return of the egg boxes - just leave them on the shelf under the cart).

The Foodbank is there when people really need it, it can provide 3 days' nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred in crisis.

In order to get help from the foodbank you will need to be referred with a voucher.

Each foodbank works with different frontline professionals, like doctors, health visitors, social workers, and Citizens Advice. These professionals will be able to refer you to a food bank and give you a foodbank voucher if they think you need emergency food.

The foodbank and referral agency will use this voucher to gather some basic information about you. This will help them to understand why you need support and offer practical guidance, and the right emergency food.

Once you have been given a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days' emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.

Further information about the Stroud District Foodbank can be found at the website below.

The Dursley foodbank collection & delivery service is located at 34-36 Long St, Dursley, GL11 4JB. It operates between 2-3pm on a Monday, Wednesday & Thursday.

Financial advice and support is available if you're struggling to make ends meet. Download the Worring About Money? leaflet via the link below