Citizens Advice Cost of Living Support Hubs

CAB has asked us to share the latest news about their cost of living hubs across Dudley borough.

We are delighted to announce that Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton, in conjunction with Dudley Empowerment Partnership, supported by DMBC Public Health and the NHS Black Country ICB, are opening 4 Cost of Living Support Hubs starting 30th January which will be running for the next 12 months.

The decision to set up these cost of living support hubs was made in response to feedback from members of the public, who told us they are struggling to meet the rising basic day to day living costs including the ongoing climb in energy prices. As you will be more than aware, across the country, organisations and charities are struggling to meet demand and national data projects many more people will be affected in 2023.

 “Britain is facing its biggest cost-of-living crisis in decades. As the largest provider of free advice across the UK, Citizens Advice is helping more people with crisis support, energy problems and not having enough money to make ends meet than ever before. We’re helping as many people as possible with crisis support, such as referrals to food banks and emergency charitable support.

National Citizen Advice

The demand for our services within Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton is unprecedented and so we are hoping that our crisis hubs will give that much needed immediate, emergency relief so many people are telling us they need. Dudley’s Cost of Living Support Hubs are here to alleviate some of the immediate struggles households face to afford food, pay bills and buy essentials.

The Hubs will provide support to any Dudley resident who needs help, offering immediate poverty relieving support and information on how to save money and make money stretch further, along with practical help relating to access to food, fuel, available grants and funds based on qualifying criteria.

Our Hubs start opening across the Borough on the 30th January with a phased approach in the following venues and on the following days (opening hours to the public are 9.30-3.30pm):

As a valued partner within the Borough, we’re hoping you can support us by helping spread the word to the communities you serve, so we can help as many households as possible over the coming months.

Thank you in advance for supporting Citizens Advice and Dudley Empowerment Partnership in our efforts to respond practically to the cost of living issues people are facing now and throughout 2023.

For more information on our advice services and how we can help please visit our website: www.citizensadvicedudley.org

Support Available over Christmas and New Year

Below are some of the organisations that are offering support over Christmas and New Year period 2021

Dudley Council Plus are closed on the 24, 27 & 28 of December. They reopen on the 29, 30 & 31 of December. Support for emergency assistance payments will be available but on reduced capacity.

Domestic Abuse/Women’s Refuge
The Refuge service will be open and contactable 24/7 throughout and can provide telephone support, a Refuge place and coordinate with other Refuge services across the country. This includes access to the homelessness service emergency bed too. The main number for our Refuge is 01384 866334 and more info on our website: https://www.chadd.org.uk/new-beginnings/

DMBC’s safe & sound is reminding people that victims of domestic abuse can get help and support this Christmas by calling 📱01384 455411 24 hrs a day.

There are the national helplines too.

Young People’s Supported Housing
CHADDs Foyer service will be open 24/7 and this also includes access to an emergency bed for any young people presenting as homeless/roofless. The E-Bed is accessed through DMBC homeless service at Dudley Council Plus out of hours service or we can provide some help and coordination through calling: 01384 237555.

Our other services – sheltered housing, supported living, community support will have some services operating or are 24/7 anyway for their specific residents on site.

Black Country Foodbank
The opening times of Black Country Foodbanks will be on their website, they are being updated daily so please check the website:
https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/

Public Health have emergency food and toiletry parcels that they can access out of hours. 01384 814444

Housing Finance
Our services will be closed to the public from the 23rd Dec to the 4th Jan although managers (Yvonne Steele, Alison Charley and Kelly Read) will be in the office and available on the 29th, 30th and 31st Dec.
Contacts:
Yvonne – 01384-811686 (30th & 31st)
Alison Charley – 01384-812476 (29th Dec)
Kelly Read – 01384-812486 (29th & 30th)

Benefits , Revenues and Isolation payments are all open during normal opening times over Christmas.
If there are any problems or issues, Steph Faulkner is the manager to contact during this period.

Homelessness Team will be open for business as usual during each working day up to and including the 23rd December. During the Christmas period and Bank Holidays the service will continue to operate as an ‘out of hours service’ accessible by telephone until the service re-opens for business as usual again on 29th December 2021.
The service will be accessible by telephone using the out of hours service over the New Year weekend and Bank Holiday will re-open in the New Year on 4th January.
https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/housing/housing-advice-information-and-support/homelessness/

Team Manager is Hayley Rowley

Citizens Advice is open until Thursday 23rd December 2021 and then over the Christmas period the following services are open:
• Adviceline for the public to ring for any advice issue 0300 3309 044 open Wednesday 29 December 9.30am – 3.30pm
• Opened for pre booked appointments on 29th and 30th December
• Debt Helpline 07799 070595 available 29th and 30th December
• Debt self referral via our website 24/7,referrals will be actioned 29th and 30th December
• Universal Credit Hep to Claim Service 0800-144-8444 open 29/30/31 December

Normal service will resume on Tuesday 4 January 2022. All our staff are currently working from home.

Community Support

• Vi at Leslie’s Care Packages is taking referrals for people who need turkeys etc. or presents – referral@lesliescarepackages.org
• Hope House is open Christmas Day 4pm for turkey sandwiches, roast potatoes and pudding plus chat, company and some festive fun. Open to anyone.
• Halesowen Scout Group free Christmas two course lunch on Sunday 19th December delivered between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, will need heating up, to be confirmed before 16th December, call Ian on 07970 560 463.
• Amblecote Christian Centre – Christmas Day Meal call 01384 375 111

Places of welcome
The information below relates specifically to Places of Welcome, where the Place of Welcome is held in a church/community centre – other events may be happening, but just not Places of Welcome. ie Christmas Services/parties

Top Church will be open on Wednesday 29th December 1-3pm Free hot drinks with optional activities, all welcome St Thomas and St Luke
Top Church, High Street, Dudley, DY1 1QD

Hope House, Springs Church, 7 Zoar Street, Lower Gornal, Dudley, DY3 2PA – Mondays and Tuesdays 09:30 – 14:30 plus NEW Community Garden
Mondays and Tuesdays as normal 9.30am – 2.30pm until 20th and 21st December.

We will then be open
Christmas Day 4pm – 6pm

We will then reopen on Tuesday 4th January 9.30am.

Woodside Internet Centre, Hallchurch Road, Holly Hall, Dudley, DY2 0TQ – Mondays 10:00 – 15:30
Open 20th Dec
Closed 27th Dec
Open 3rd Jan

Community Hub, 16A Stone St, Dudley, DY1 1NS – Tuesdays 10:30 – 12:30
Open 21st Dec
Closed 28th Dec
Open 4th Jan

Primrose Hill Community Church, The Hub at PHCC, Chapel Street,Netherton, Dudley, DY2 9PN
Open 22nd Dec
Open 29th Dec
Open 5th Jan

Top Church, St Thomas and St Luke’s, High Street, Dudley, DY1 1QD – Wednesdays 13:00 15:00
Open 22nd Dec
Open 29th Dec
Open 5th Jan

Rainbow Street Community Centre, 49 Rainbow Street, Coseley, WV14 8SX – Thursdays 10:00 – 12:00
Open 23rd Dec
30th Dec TBC

Open Door Cafe, Christ Church, High Street, Lye, Stourbridge, DY9 8LF – Fridays 11:00 – 13:00
TBC
St John’s Church, Leys Road, Brockmoor, DY5 3UR – Saturdays 10:00 – 12:00
Closed 25th Dec
Closed 1st Dec

Black Country Mental Health, The Hub, Bushey Fields Hospital Site, Bushey Fields Road, Dudley, DY1 2LZ – Sundays 15:00 – 17:00 *If arriving by car, please call 07951580792 for site barrier code
Open 19th Dec
Open 26th Dec
Open 2nd Jan

Contact officer:
Carrie Blount

Places of Welcome & Buddying Facilitator Black Country

Mobile: 07377 918 101

Web: https://tctogether.org.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/impactpoverty

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRslaIOWDBvLW8kX7OYw2ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactpoverty

Safe and Well home safety checks

West Midlands Fire Service is committed to making its communities safer, healthier and stronger. In recent months we have seen an increase in house fires starting in the kitchen and part of our strategy to tackle this is to deliver safe and well visits to everyone, but mainly targeting our more vulnerable members of the community. We aim to improve safety in the home, offer road safety advice and signpost where appropriate. Fire fighters will fit smoke alarms and specialist equipment where needed free of charge and will leave you with a booklet with handy tips for making your home as safe as possible. Please use the QR code to book a safe and well with your local fire crew and help make the West Midlands a safer, healthier and stronger place to live.

Safe and Well – West Midlands Fire ServiceSafe and Well visits, formally home safety checks, enable us to advise and educate on safety at home. We also fit free smoke alarms!www.wmfs.net

Halesowen pages go live!

We are so pleased to tell you that there are now some local pages for the Halesowen Cluster Connect group.

Why not visit them to find out:

  • What’s on locally
  • Local lifeline contacts
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • a list of group members

We need YOUR help to make them a great resource, so if you are aware of any local events, volunteering opportunities or places offering support to local people, please contact Eileen on eileen@dudleycvs.org.uk

Together we can make this a great resource for local people 🙂

Resilience Course – helping you cope with life’s setbacks

Castle and Priory Neighbourhood Learning Centre Dudley

Resilience – Masterclass Details:

The aim of this course is to enable you to understand how to become more resilient and cope with setbacks in life, improve wellbeing and achieve your goals.

Date: Friday 9th July 2021 (10.30 – 12.30) Venue: Castle & Priory Neighbourhood Learning Centre

Cost: FREE

Contact: 01384 818143 or Emily.whitehouse@dudley.gov.uk

Are you are green fingered keen gardener?

Are you interested in gardening or would you like to grow your own veg? If so, you are very welcome to join The Priory Pharmacy Community Garden. There’s no need to bring anything, just turn up on a Monday from 2pm – 4pm.

The Priory Community Garden has reopened and is now a Covid Safe ‘Place of Welcome’. There will always be a cuppa, biscuits and maybe some homemade cake to enjoy. You can find out more on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PrioryPharmacyGarden/

Children’s Mental Health Week

Children’s Mental Health Week is taking place on 1-7 February 2021. This year’s theme is Express Yourself.

cmhw-2021-logojpg

Expressing yourself is about finding ways to share feelings, thoughts, or ideas, through creativity. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama, photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.

The Children’s Mental Health website has lots of free resources that will help children and young people to explore what it means to Express Yourself. All of the ideas can be adapted for use in school, for home-schooling, online lessons or independent learning. 

You can get more information from a Place2B which is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.