Sidmouth residents who are struggling with the cost of living crisis are being urged to seek help from the many local support organisations. 

Sid Valley Help, supported by Sidmouth Town Council, has produced a leaflet and posters giving contact details for organisations that can provide advice and help on financial matters, others providing grants to support emergency needs, and those that help with food and energy concerns.  

Di Fuller of Sid Valley Help said: “The ‘cost of living crisis’ refers to the fall in ‘real’ disposable incomes - that is, adjusted for inflation and after taxes and benefits - that the UK has experienced since late 2021. It is being caused predominantly by high inflation outstripping wage and benefit increases and has been further exacerbated by recent tax increases.  

“A large contributor to this situation has been the high cost of energy to households and businesses. The Government announced household support for energy bills in late May. After taking into account this support for lower income households, they will be largely supported for energy costs.  

“However, the reality is that everyone is anxious about these unprecedented costs and all households will experience the impact of high inflation on all goods and consumables. 

“For many people it will be the first time that they have real concern about making ends meet and the worry of incurring debt. This will be exacerbated by the expense of Christmas. Please do not put off seeking advice. There is help in the community and there is no stigma attached to seeking help at what is a very challenging time.” 

The leaflet and poster give details of organisations including Citizens Advice, Gateway Homelessness, Sidmouth Voluntary Services, ECOE energy bills help, the Sid Valley Food Bank and Save Food Hub, Age UK computer help and Sid Valley Help, which signposts people to suitable support groups. 

Copies of the leaflet have been sent home with every school child. It can also be picked up in the library, doctor’s surgeries, information centres and Sidmouth’s ‘warm spaces’ which include Twyford House, Dissenters Hall, St Teresa’s Hall and the Methodist Hall.