Councillor Patrick Lavelle, mayor of Great Dunmow, is backing our There With You This Winter campaign.

This campaign seeks to raise awareness of the organisations or schemes that can help households who are faced with problems caused by the rising costs in fuel prices.

These price rises will plunge many people into fuel poverty and squeeze middle income budgets substantially.

The rises come at a time when the £20 uplift has come to an end for people who receive Universal Credit, and at the same time the furlough scheme is ending.

This in turn could lead to potential redundancies for firms that have struggled through the pandemic, again hitting pockets and budgets.

Our campaign seeks to ensure that vulnerable or struggling members of our community know where to find help.

Cllr Lavelle said: "We know that this winter will be challenging for everyone.

"We can already see the increased energy and fuel costs and there looks to be increases coming for our food bills.

"However, Dunmow is a strong community and we should not try to manage our problems alone but reach out to access all the help and support that is available.”

He added: "I feel your winter campaign is a great way of showing the different types of support that are available here in our district, to emphasise that we are a community and that no one needs to feel alone or without support.

“For my part, as Mayor this year I have selected three local charities to support: Buffy Playbus, the Rowena Davey Day Centre and Uttlesford Community Travel. These charities provide services to local residents across different age ranges."

Cllr Lavelle said the Rowena Davey Centre will be resuming hot food service soon and remains open to the many groups that use the Centre in Dunmow.

In addition to the support provided by national organisations, Dunmow also has the Alexia Wilson Trust which supports people of all ages who live in the southern half of Uttlesford, who are experiencing difficulties.

The Trust responds to referrals from social workers, Citizens Advice, local churches and schools and responds quickly and discretely.

READ MORE:

There With You This Winter: Our campaign to stand with the community

There With You This Winter: Uttlesford Foodbank

There With You This Winter: Uttlesford Children's Clothing Bank

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