Charities across Merseyside are facing an influx of calls as the ever-growing rise in the cost of living crisis is beginning to affect more and more families across the city.
Nearly one in three people say they are assessing whether every single purchase they make is necessary as their budgets are squeezed by rising costs.
A charity that has recently been flooded with calls from worried individuals has been the Samaritans, with the team reaching out to help individuals as winter looms.
Rebecca Oldfield, Samaritans’ senior media officer said: “These are incredibly difficult times with the rising cost of food, energy and fuel making everyday life hard for millions. Undoubtedly, the crisis is putting pressure on a lot of people, and we are beginning to see an impact.
“Those in lower-income households and those living in more deprived areas in the UK are also impacted the most, as food inflation has hit less well-off people harder.
“With costs rising, it is likely that more people will be seeking support with their finances, including unmanageable debt, so it’s important that they are also offered help with their mental health.
“We know that many of us are struggling with financial issues but encouraging people to open up can help them share what they are facing and help them find a way through.”
Many people have had to make lifestyle changes in order to save money during the worsening cost-of-living crisis. Among the two-thirds of people who are looking to reduce the cost of their weekly shop, 30 per cent are only purchasing some items on a “need-to-buy” basis, to save money and avoid waste.
As help continues to be extended for those struggling, non-profit organisation Working Life has been there to lend a hand.
The company is the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers, with a mission is to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace and for those who are struggling to stable employment as bills continue to rise.
As part of a new initiative to encourage those struggling, the organisation has been focusing on their “Work-Life Week”.
Mary from the team told MNL what it was all about: “National Work Life Week is our annual campaign to get both employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for staff, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.”
The campaign, which has ran since 2018 is there to support working parents and carers, and their advisers, through the teams legal advice service. The charity runs a telephone helpline, has a website packed with info, and also an online form for people to complete.
Mary added: “We’re lucky to have support from around a dozen law firms who help us answer the number of queries we get, which ranges from finding suitable employment for their home life, or finding the right job for those struggling with bills. ”
The spiralling inflation has been on everyone’s mind in recent months. As consumers see prices increase daily, their financial anxieties and worries will only continue.
Mary said: “I think the demand for our service has always been high! Unfortunately, with financial struggles in family being so common, and many people being unaware that there is support available for those in need we have a long way to go before we are not needed!”
If anyone is struggling with their living crisis, help is available below.
Working Life Helpline for parents & carers: 0300 012 0312
The Samaritans: 116 123 or [email protected].
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