COST OF LIVING CRISIS - SUPPORT & INFORMATION
Flitwick Town Council recognises the 'Cost of Living Crisis' is impacting our community in many different ways and want to offer as much support as we can to help residents through these difficult times. On this page you will find information on initiatives and links to other support available in the area.
The Town Council is grateful for the support of local businesses with the cost of living initiative including Pyrolec, Flitwick Club, Brookes Barbers, The Co-op and Costa Coffee, Flitwick and to CBC Councillor Gareth Mackey for a Ward Councillor grant to support the project.
If you need support with the cost of living crisis please do get in contact with us and we will see how we can help. You can give us a call on 01525 631900, email communityservices@flitwick.gov.uk or pop into The Rufus Centre and speak to one of our friendly team. Alternatively, come and see us at the free Community Hub, Dunstable Road, open every Wednesday from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
COST OF LIVING SURVEY
Thank you to everyone who completed the Cost of Living survey. We are now looking at the responses to see how we can extend the support we offer.
COMMUNITY FRIDGE
The Community Fridge is located at The Rufus Centre. This initiative helps to redistribute surplus fresh food, available to anyone who needs support with the rising cost of food bills.
From 1st May the Community Fridge is open:
Tuesdays 8am to 10am and 3pm to 5pm
Thursdays 8am to 10am and 3pm to 5pm
Additional opening times will vary depending on stock levels. You can check what we have available each day by following the Flitwick Community Fridge Facebook page.
Pop in any time between the hours above (until stocks last) and help yourself, but we do ask that you only take what you can use. We normally collect food on a Monday and Wednesday evening so the fridge will be restocked every Tuesday and Thursday morning for collection times shown.
The equipment required to set up the Community Fridge initiative has kindly been funded by Central Bedfordshire Ward Councillors; Councillor Charles Gomm and Councillor Neil Bunyan.
THE NEED PROJECT
The Need Project works through a number of churches in Central Bedfordshire and can help people facing financial hardship with support such as:
- Providing food packages to support individuals and families who are experiencing food deprivation.
- Providing other items to meet immediate and essential needs, as resources allow.
- Developing other forms of support to meet immediate need and alleviate financial hardship.
The Need Project only take referrals from statutory bodies (e.g. Social Services, GP units, Children’s Centres etc.) or recognised community groups (e.g. local churches and other religious organisations, schools, etc). You can find a list of who you can talk to about a referral on their website using the link below:
FLITWICK FOOD EXTRA
Flitwick Food Extra is organised and run by members of Flitwick Parish Church and the local community, the team provide boxes of pre-measured ingredients and recipes to support families.
Get in touch with Flitwick Food Extra by email: foodextra@flitwickchurch.org
FLITWICK COMMUNITY PET PANTRY
Flitwick Community Pet Pantry is a new, not for profit, pet food pantry run by volunteers. Just pop along to Medivet Flitwick ( 47 The Ridgeway, MK45 1DJ ) between 12pm-2pm on a Saturday and a friendly member of the team will help you. Visit their Facebook page for full details via the link below.
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Central Bedfordshire Council website has a comprehensive guide to support available for anyone facing financial difficulty. Access information, advice and benefit entitlement calculator using the link below.
CITIZENS ADVICE MID BEDFORDSHIRE
Mid Bedfordshire Citizens Advice offer advice and help if you are struggling with the cost of living. The organisation is also one of the Town Mayor's charities this year.
ST MARY'S ECO-SHOP COMMUNITY HUB
A Eco-Shop Community Hub is open at St Mary's Church Hall, Church Road, Maulden, MK45 2AU on Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays 9am until 12 noon. It is open to all, not just Maulden residents. There is no price list so you can either give a donation of what you can afford or receive items free of charge.
WARM CLOTHING & BLANKETS
We have a wonderful range of blankets, hats, scarves and hand warmers made with love by our Stitchers Group and friends. If you would like a selection to help keep you warm please get in touch by calling 01525 631900 or email us and we will be in touch.
FLITWICK COMMUNITY JOB HUB
The Flitwick Community Job Club launched in May offering helpful and friendly advice on applying for jobs, CV writing, interview techniques, workshops and more. The Club is taking a break over the summer and will return in the autumn.
COMMUNITY HUB
Join us at the Community Hub every Wednesday between 9.30am to 2.30pm. Drop in for a while or stay all day. Originally set up as a regular warm space we have decided to continue in the warmer weather so that everyone has a place to visit, meet old friends, and new and enjoy free refreshments. For more information call 01525 631900 or email us.
We hope you can join us. Free parking in The Hub car park in Dunstable Road.
WARM SPACES
Last winter different organisations offered warm spaces for people to visit. We will be updating this section when we have information for winter 2023/24.
Churches in Flitwick and Ampthill produced a handy guide to all the sessions which you can access using the link below.
Warm spaces could also be found at Flitwick Library and Flitwick Leisure Centre.
FREE EVENTS
The Council continues to organise free events such as the Community Movie Day for Flitwick residents so you can spend time with us and entertain the children in the school holidays or come and meet with friends and use our energy instead of yours! Follow our Facebook page for all the latest information or visit the Community Calendar.
TOP UP FOR HARDSHIP FUNDS
