Below, you’ll find the March edition of Calderdale Council’s wide-reaching newsletter covering all things connected to Cost of Living and Anti-Poverty, Money and Debt, Energy and Affordable Warmth, Food Poverty, Housing, Employment and Digital Inclusion. It’s divided into sections, with local and national splits. It’s a lot of information to take in, but it’s a useful reference guide to some of the support and information out there is you have a specific money issue.
Local
Calderdale’s Next Anti-Poverty Partnership Event
The date for the next event is Thursday 3rd April at the Kings Centre, Halifax and tickets can be booked on Eventbrite:
Through a health lens: Volunteering, work and employment Tickets, Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
This event will also provide the latest updates on Get Britain Working and the Trailblazer and Accelerator programmes. Book your tickets!
Anti-Poverty Partnership Messages
Please help spread the word by posting or sharing our partnership messages so that as a partnership we can reach more vulnerable people in need to access the money they are eligible for.
Calderdale Council Twitter:
Cold weather payment eligibility
Cost of living Calderdale website
Help to Save scheme
Warm Spaces
Energy Saving Trust Warm Home Hacks guide
VSI Alliance COL Facebook:
Focus4Hope Centre for Warmth
AgeUK Scams and Fraud tips
Calderdale Lighthouse
Mothershare
Employment Hub
HOT Employment support
NHP Employment support
VSI Alliance COL Twitter:
Citizens Advice Affordable Warmth Advice
Action Fraud
Employment Hub
VSI Alliance Cost of Living News
Visit the VSI Alliance Cost of Living social media pages for local news and information about the cost of living crisis in Calderdale:
Twitter // X : #VSIAllianceCOL
Facebook : VSI Alliance COL
The latest Cost of Living Catch Up can also be found on the VSI Alliance website.
Anti-Poverty Dashboards
The anti-poverty dashboards are a great tool for service planning and grant applications.
New data added during January and February includes:
- Homelessness assessments Jul-Sep 24 (Feb 25)
- Households claiming CTR Jan 25 (Feb 25)
- Private and Social Housing rent levels (Feb 25)
- Carers Allowance Aug 24 (Feb 25)
- Disability Benefit claimants Aug 24 (Feb 25)
- Households claiming UC Nov 24 (Feb 25)
- Housing Benefit claimants Nov 24 (Feb 25)
- Pension Credit claimants Aug 24 (Feb 25)
National
How earnings and benefits have changed over the last 30 years for low to middle income families
The new report from Resolution Foundation ‘Money, money, money: The shifting mix of income sources for poorer households over the last 30 years’ found that Britain’s poorest half of households get a greater share of their income from earnings than was the case a generation ago.
UK Poverty 2025
One in five people in the UK lives in poverty and this has barely changed for 20 years. The Joseph Roundtree Foundation has published its essential guide to UK Poverty 2025 covering the nature of poverty, future projections and recommendations for change.
Local
First schools confirmed for landmark free breakfast clubs
Six schools in Calderdale are among the first 750 schools across the country who have been chosen to offer free daily breakfast clubs from April. They are Scout Road Academy, Trinity Academy St Peter’s, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy, Luddenden CofE School, Cornholme Junior, Infant and Nursery School and Elland Church of England Junior, Infant and Nursery School. All primary aged children in early adopter schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day.
Calling all Money Guiders
Please get in touch if you are struggling to complete your Foundation or Technical Domains (antipovertyaction@calderdale.gov.uk). Don’t forget to claim your cash voucher!
Sessions you may be interested in that are coming up:
- Mindfulness for Money Guiders, Tuesday 18 March | 11:00 – 12:30
- Income Maximisation with Lightning Reach, Tuesday 25 Mar 2025 | 11.00-12.00
- Deduction lending: accessing more affordable credit for low income households, Thursday 27 Mar 2025 | 11.00-12.30
Financial Resilience Courses:
Saving Together Energy Service
Newground Together operates an Energy Service in Pellon, Illingworth, Oven and Mixenden. The service offers both in person and remote support including home visits, were the team can install simple energy saving items to help reduce home running costs. There are a number of workshops running until March 2025 including Air Fryer cooking sessions were customers will receive a free air fryer and Savvy Shopper were customers will receive a nifty hamper of items to help them save money.
- To book on a workshop: Workshop Bookings.
- Customers can both self-refer or a partner organisation can refer them in here: Referral Saving Together
Proper Job Theatre Company are running the LAB course from 14 – 24 March.
If you’d like to find out more contact engagement@properjob.org.uk and visit the Proper Job website.
Noah’s Ark run Budget Like a Boss!!!! courses on a regular basis.
- 11.3.25 & 18.3.25 at Focus 4 Hope
- 27.3.25 & 3.4.25 at Noah’s Ark
If you’d like to find out more call 01422 364664 or email debt@noahsarkcentre.org.uk.
Calderdale Academy offers various free numeracy courses on a regular basis to help you manage your money and budget effectively, support your child with homework, and improve your numeracy skills with confidence. For more information or to enrol, please email info@calderdaleacademy.co.uk.
Money and Debt Forum
The next Money and Debt Forum will take place on Thursday 20th March at 2.00-4.00pm via Teams. Contact for further information: Rachel Stewart rachel.stewart@calderdale.gov.uk.
National
Individual Voluntary Arrangements
Nearly £50 million lost on fees for failed and unsuitable debt solutions, warns Citizens Advice.
Loan Sharks
Stop Loan Sharks has announced that the 19th-25th May will be StopLoanSharks week this year and the theme will be “We’re here when you’re ready”.
Stop Loan Sharks England Facebook
Supporting older people facing financial hardship (training)
Independent Age offers free online training to link workers around supporting older people facing financial hardship:
- Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and entitled to training – Register for upcoming 90 minute sessions in March.
- Carer’s Allowance training – Register for upcoming 45 minute sessions in March.
- Council Tax training – Register for upcoming 45 minute sessions in Mach
TV Licensing training essentials and supporting people with priority debts
Wednesday, 12th March 2025 at 11am – Register
DWP training sessions for external partners (includes PIP and DLA)
The Disability Services Advocacy Team support with raising awareness of the different Disability Services benefits and grants. There are sessions in coming months that can be booked online. The password for all sessions is DWP2025.
Universal Credit Migration
You may come into contact with clients who will be receiving letters about the Managed Migration process (clients are informed that their current benefits will be ending and they need to make a claim for Universal Credit). They receive a Managed Migration Notice from the DWP and will have a deadline date by which they need to claim Universal Credit. If they claim before the deadline date they may be entitled to transitional protection which should ensure they are no worse off on Universal Credit. If they do not claim by the deadline date their benefit will end, and they will have no entitlement to the transitional protection when they do make a claim for Universal Credit. Please encourage clients to contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service on 0800 144 8444, Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm for advice on the process, a benefit check and assistance if necessary to make the claim. The Government has recently made an extra £15m funding available to speed up the process (which will end in March 2026). If you would like more support, please email antipovertyaction@calderdale.gov.uk for a DWP support guide.
Rise in scam job texts to teens from fraudsters posing as TikTok staff
Fraudsters are increasingly posing as TikTok employees in attempts to defraud teenagers with non-existent jobs, according to research. Virgin Media O2 said that in the past month there had been a sharp increase in the number of fraudulent text messages from scammers that claim people can make up to £800 for a day’s work liking videos on the platform.
New survey suggests benefits system is letting down people with mental health conditions who want to work
New survey suggests 200,000 people claiming health and disability benefits are ready for work now if the right job or support were available.
A more resilient future: Rebuilding discretionary crisis support in England
Trussell has carried out an evidence review to address the question: “What does effective local crisis support look like?” The review took an in-depth look at 38 pieces of evidence, drawing out findings relevant to the UK government and local authorities in England.
25% increase in calls to national gambling helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year.
UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing
The England Progress Report for Winter 2024 has been published and updates on a range of financial wellbeing programmes.
Local
Newground Together operates a fuel voucher scheme offering fuel voucher support to customers on pre-payment meters. Referrals are being accepted until the end of March. Referrals can only be accepted through a registered fuel voucher partner. To become a fuel voucher partner please email energy@newground.co.uk.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9.00-17.00, Fri 9.00-16.00
Contact: 0300 4560027
Green Doctor/Groundwork Fuel Poverty Awareness Session
Wednesday 19th March online at 1.00pm (book on Eventbrite)
Green Doctor Northern Gas Network Funded ESOL Classes
FREE energy advice and guidance to those communities in West Yorkshire where English is not the main language spoken, including presentations & interactive workshops within community centres or places where ESOL classes are held. The 2-hour sessions cover energy supplier support, billing & metering, energy/water efficiency advice, damp, mould, condensation issues, risks in the home such as Carbon Monoxide poisoning, fire hazards & where to access further support. For more details, please contact erika.smith@groundwork.org.uk.
Green Doctor Bright Futures (for new tenants)
For those moving into a new property focused on new tenants. Help with setting up the heating system correctly, checking accounts have been opened with accurate meter reads as well as looking at any easy, cheap energy saving measures. During the visit they will be given a £50 energy voucher to help them get off to a good start and a Green Doctor warm pack which includes blankets, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, a hot water bottle and thermal mug. Contact greendoctoryorkshire@groundwork.org.uk.
Warm Space marketed as Welcome Place
Our warm spaces are being marketed as Welcome Places to encourage everyone to come to a warm friendly place of welcome. A new logo has been developed and can be downloaded from the Microsoft One Drive.
Affordable Warmth Forum
The next Affordable Warmth Forum will take place on Thursday 27 March 2025 at 10am via Teams. Contact for further information: Jayne.Leech2@calderdale.gov.uk.
Yorkshire Water Support Schemes
11th March 2025 (09:30-10:30) – Click here to register for 11th March
20th March 2025 (09.30-10.30) – Click here to register for 20th March
26th March 2025 (15:00-16:00) – Click here to register for 26th March
8th April 2025 (15.00-16.00) – Click here to register for 8th April
Local
Date of the next Food Poverty Forum meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15 April 2025, in person, venue to be confirmed 10.00 am – 11.30 am. To find out more please contact Jane.woodcock@vsialliance.org.uk.
Food Data
Over the last 2 years the level of food parcel distribution has stayed consistently high based on data from 3 long term food banks. We now have a total of 14 food support providers.
On average 987 parcels a week are distributed, over 51,000 a year.
Community meals: Currently we have 10 providers offering community meals on average 76,000 a year.
Social Supermarkets: We have 4 in operation offering dignity in food choices totalling on average 120 shops.
National
Feeding Britain Webinars
Thursday 13 March 2025, 3.30-5.00pm – The Children’s Kitchen Webinar: Making Food Sessions Accessible. Sign up to attend or receive a copy of the recording here.
Tuesday 18 March, 3.30-5.00pm – Cooperation Town: An Introduction to Affordable Food Co-ops Sign up to attend or receive a copy of the recording here.
Monday 24 March, 10–11am – Food Insecurity Toolkit – Bath and North East Somerset There is a downloadable printable PDF of the toolkit available for partners to use. Sign up to attend or receive a copy of the recording here.
Tuesday 1 April 2025, 3.30-5.00pm – Collecting and Using Data to Understand and Address Food Insecurity – Sign up to attend or receive a copy of the recording here.
National
Child poverty in the private rented sector
New analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research finds that a combination of welfare reforms, rising numbers of children in the private rented sector and a lack of investment in building social housing has led, and will continue to lead, to increasing child poverty.
A study of the local authority response to homeless children and young people
This report explores the experiences of children aged 16 and 17 when they present to their local authorities as homeless.
Rough sleeping
The rising number of people sleeping rough in England is a source of national shame, ministers have been told. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has urged the Government to end Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions through the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill as soon as possible.
Local
Business Support Newsletter
The Place Development newsletter is now called the Employment Support Newsletter. It is a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on in the business and skills world in Calderdale. Check out the February edition which contains information about the green economy networking brunch on the 28th March and Brighouse and Elland Open Markets.
Local
Digital Inclusion Forum – Could you be our new Chair?
The inaugural Digital Inclusion Forum took place on 26th February and will feed into the Anti-Poverty Steering Group on a quarterly basis. Organisations across Calderdale will come together to hear about the work going on, identify examples of best practice and hear from guests’ speakers to improve our knowledge and learn how we can help our communities as best as we can. If you would like to join this forum or put your name forward to chair the meetings please contact
erin.mcilhatton@calderdale.gov.uk.
Donated Smart Phones
Inn 2021, Hubbub donated 150 smart phones and sim cards to be distributed to digitally excluded people in Calderdale. Towards the end of last year, a further 100 phones were donated. The phones have gone to 10 organisations that support everyone from asylum seekers to families in need. We hope to be able to collect some good news stories that we can share in future newsletters. Lack of devices is a significant barrier to digital inclusion so if you or your workplace have any devices please consider donating them.
Community Calling: gift your old smartphone to someone in need | Hubbub Foundation
The Good Things Foundation- Device Bank
National
Digital Inclusion Action Plan – Call for Evidence published
The Digital Inclusion Action Plan sets out the Government’s approach to digital inclusion. The 5 actions relate to local-level support, skills, devices, accessible government service and evidence. The call for evidence is open until the 9th April.
Digital Inclusion Action Plan – GOV.UK
