Cost of living support for residents 

A resource pack, which outlines where residents can find help and support in relation to the cost of living, has been published. 

The council’s cost of living resource pack was first published in 2022, offering signposting to groups for support with food, energy, skills and more. 

It is part of the council’s work to support residents to make the most of the help available. 

Representatives from the council are also part of the Slough Poverty Forum, which was formed as a OneSlough response to the cost of living crisis in July 2022. 

It brings together organisations and groups from the statutory, voluntary, business, community, health and charitable sectors in a bid to find ways to ensure residents have the support they need. 

This includes developing new initiatives such as Warm Spaces Slough, organising the Great Get Togethers and the cost of living resource pack which all help to support and signpost residents and families. 

There are now more than 70 organisations who receive updates on programmes and projects to then share with their networks. 

The Forum meets once a month to share ideas and how best they can work as a partnership to help release people from financial burdens which affect their health and wellbeing and everyday life. 

Councillor Iftakhar Ahmed, lead member for leisure, community cohesion, regulation, enforcement and planning said: “Times are tough right now for many people who are trying to make their money stretch further. Being part of the Slough Poverty Forum enables us to hear from different people about issues of concern from residents so we can work towards finding the right support.

“Our resource pack is fantastic and it’s brilliant to see another edition. Residents can download it, save it and refer back to it. It points out lots of useful groups for support, energy-saving tips, places to get food support each day of the week and more. 

“Residents can easily translate the PDF document into another language, using Google Translate, and share it among their friends and family who may find it useful.”

The council also has a debt and welfare team who can offer financial assistance through the Household Support Fund, can help identify which benefits residents may be entitled to and they can help residents deal with their debts, by supporting them to talk to their creditors. 

For support from the debt and welfare team, email _debtandwelfare@slough.gov.uk

Find the latest resource pack, along with previous editions. 

Published: 6 November 2023