Education

Winchester District Citizens Advice

Lesley Rose, Advice Services Manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District gives advice on dealing with the cost of living crisis.

I am a single parent, with two young children. I am already struggling to stay on top of my household bills; my weekly food shop isn’t stretching as far anymore and now my energy bill is going up too. I don’t know how I’m going to afford all of these price rises. What can I do to stop my finances spiralling out of control?

First of all, you are not alone in this and there’s support to help you.

It’s always worth checking if there are benefits you don’t know about that you’re eligible for, including support with your energy costs and living costs. On the Citizens Advice website there’s a benefits calculator, advice on how to reduce living costs and information on other ways to increase your income.

There’s also emergency support that you may have access to, such as food bank vouchers or fuel vouchers. You could contact your local council to see if they could also offer support.

If you’re struggling to stay on top of bills, it’s really important to understand what money you have coming in and going out each month. Citizens Advice has a budgeting tool on its website that can help with this.

And if you’re already behind on bills, prioritise paying your rent or mortgage, plus energy bills and Council Tax first. Not paying these bills has the most serious consequences. You should speak to the person or company you owe money to, to see if they can help you repay your bills sustainably.

We know that times are incredibly tough but please remember, you don’t have to face this alone, do contact your local Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward.

If you’d like to speak to a local adviser at Citizens Advice Winchester District, you can call us for free on 0808 278 7861 or visit www.citizensadvicewinchester.org.uk

Jubilee Picnic in the Park

Everyone is invited to share in the celebrations of the Queens Jubilee and to bring along a picnic to Arlebury Park. Community groups will be there with activities, there will be competitions and music along with a big screen showing all the events in London, including the Platinum concert from Buckingham Palace. The car park at Arlebury Park will be closed for the day apart from disabled parking and drop-offs, and we are encouraging everyone to come on foot or

by bike, as there will be parking for bikes and wheelbarrows.

How about participating in some of the competitions: • Best Royal Crown make from recycled materials – open to everyone. Prizes for Best under 10s, under 18s, most outrageous, best use of recycle materials & most majestic. • Best decorated wheelbarrow • Under 18s photo competition – send us your photos of “What Alresford means to me”– see your pictures on the big screen, prizes on the day. • We are also looking for photos of your celebrations of the Queen’s Coronation, or subsequent jubilees that we can show on the big screen.

Find more information at our Facebook page ‘Alresford’s Jubilee Picnic in the Park’ or email us at alresfordjubilee@gmail.com or see the advert opposite.

Age Concern Hampshire Worried about memory loss?

Many of us get a little more forgetful as we get older. But, if you are worried about your memory or someone else’s, then there is help available.

Speak to your GP Your doctor will be able to refer someone for assessment, to find out for certain the cause of the problems.

Hampshire’s Dementia Advice Service If you are concerned about your memory, have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia, Andover Mind provides a Dementia Advice Service to residents anywhere in Hampshire. They can be contacted on: 01264 332297 or enquiries@andovermind.org.uk Other organisations • The Alzheimer’s Society produces lots of information and advice on memory loss and different types of dementia. Contact their Dementia Connect helpline on 0333 150 3456 or visit their website: www.alzheimers.org.uk • Dementia UK if you have any questions about dementia or if you need advice and support, you can contact the

Dementia UK helpline which is manned by Admiral Nurses on 0800 888 6678 or helpline@dementiauk.org • Memory cafés and local support groups as Covid restrictions reduce and groups begin to reopen, you can find your local memory café or support group, by using Connect to Support Hampshire’s online Community Directory: www. connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk

If you would like help with anything in this article, contact Denise, Alresford’s Community Information Volunteer on 07969 376023 or enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk