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.
COMMUNITY FRIDGE
The Community Fridge is now open at The Rufus Centre. This new initiative helps to redistribute surplus fresh food, available to anyone who needs support with the rising cost of food bills.
The Community Fridge is open:
Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm
Saturday 8am to 2pm.
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 will be collecting food on a Monday and Wednesday evening so the fridge should be restocked every Tuesday and Thursday morning. The contents of the fridge will depend on what we have been given and on some days unfortunately there may be little availability, but you can check what we have available by following the new Flitwick Community Fridge Facebook page.
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 one of the Town Mayor's chosen charities this year.
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 this winter please get in touch by calling 01525 631900 or email us and we will be in touch.
COMMUNITY HUB
Join us at the Community Hub every Wednesday between 9.30am to 4.30pm. 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
Different organisations are providing warm spaces for people to visit during the winter months. We will be adding details here on a regular basis.
Churches in Flitwick and Ampthill have produced a handy guide to all the sessions they will be providing which you can access using the link below.
Kings Church, Flitwick will be offering a warm space at the church every Tuesday morning from 9am to 12 noon. From Tuesday 10th January to Tuesday 30th March 2023 they will also be offering free soup and bread for lunch between 12pm and 2pm in Kings Cafe. Everyone welcome.
You'll also find warm spaces at Flitwick Library and Flitwick Leisure Centre.
FREE EVENTS
The Council is organising free events for Flitwick residents so you can spend time with us and entertain the children in the school holidays or come and meet with friends in a warm environment and not use energy at home.
We have our fourth Free Community Movie Day at Easter on Tuesday 4th April at The Rufus Centre. You can book your free tickets via Eventbrite here or give us a call on 01525 631900 and we will book them for you.
FREE COMMUNITY MOVIE DAY - Tuesday 4th April
TOP UP FOR HARDSHIP FUNDS
