Category: Latest News

The priority service register is a free support service which makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations.  Energy Suppliers and Network Operators will both keep a Priority Services Register. If you think you should be added to either you need to contact your energy supplier or network operator.

You are eligible if you:

• have reached your state pension age
• are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have a hearing or sight condition
• have a mental health condition
• are pregnant or have young children
• have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well)
• need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
• have poor or no sense of smell
• would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency.

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

For more information click on the following link.

Get help from your supplier – Priority Services Register | Ofgem

Sharing information from Councillor Lynda James’ communications to the community on three areas that might assist with the cost of living crisis.
a) entitlement to more benefits;
b) help with the costs of childcare;
c) general help and advice on cost of living and the support that is available.

More information on each of these follows.

Those potentially missing out include people who are working and their wages don’t cover their living and housing costs, as well as older people who aren’t aware they can claim means-tested benefits in addition to their state pension.

Others missing out could include people with long-term health problems that affect their ability to physically or mentally manage daily tasks or get out of the house.

People are asked to call Advicelink Cymru on their free 0808 250 5700 helpline to check, or head to gov.wales/claim-whats-yours

Swansea Council is also urging working parents to check if they could qualify for funding that can help pay towards fees including childminders, pre-schools, nurseries, nannies, playschemes, before and after school clubs and, holiday clubs.

The UK Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme supports working families, including the self-employed, with childcare costs.

If a working parent or carer is earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours a week on average and under £100,000 per annum, they may be eligible to get £500 every three months per child towards their childcare costs.

If their child has a disability they may be eligible for £1,000 every three months up to £4,000 a year per child.

To check eligibility and to find out how to register for the scheme visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

You can also visit www.swansea.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp for information on all cost of living help, advice, funding and support that’s available.

Created in partnership with five key organisations across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot this service has been designed to support those who have been diagnosed with dementia, their loved ones and carers.  This catch-all service will provide person-centred support and information to help live well with dementia.

The Dementia Support Service will provide free advice and guidance, respite care, specialist dementia training for carers, and practical help around the home – including housing adaptations.
If you’re interested in learning more, or need dementia-specific support, call 01792 277778 or email [email protected]
Find out more at https://dementiasupportservice.org.uk

Specifically within Swansea, the Dementia Hub Swansea
Open 11am – 3pm at Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea
Volunteers will be available for any information you need on dementia and the services available in Swansea.
If you are unable to get to the Hub in Swansea, but still need support, call the Hub on 01792 304519. (Please leave an answerphone message outside of opening hours.)
For more details please contact [email protected] or call the Hub on 01792 304519
https://www.dementiafriendlyswansea.org/

Mid and West Wales Fire Service are offering to carry out ‘safe and well’ inspections, plus fit smoke alarms. All free of charge.
To arrange a date please call 0800 169 1234 or email [email protected]

The following has been shared by the Welsh Government.

The Royal British Legion, the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community, has launched a new grant scheme for veterans and their families who are struggling to pay their energy bills. The initiative will provide non-repayable emergency grants of up to £2,400 a year (£200 a month), and is available across the UK in connection with the Royal British Legion’s new grant scheme for veterans and their families, for your information.  Further information may be found by following the link below.

Royal British Legion to give veterans and their families grants of up to £2,400 to help pay bills – check if you’re eligible and how to apply (moneysavingexpert.com)

Ilston Community Council has been approached by the Home-Start Cymru charity.  Home-Start Cymru are looking for volunteers to help deliver their services to families.  The words that follow are from Home-Start Cymru.

“Here at Home-Start Cymru, we have seen a significant spike in the number of families reaching out for support and information over the past years. We are looking for people who can spare even just an hour a week to help deliver our services to families.  Our charity provides support, friendship, and practical help to parents with young children when they need it most.

   Our volunteers work alongside families to give compassionate and confidential support tailored to each family. Our volunteers are trained and given support and guidance from our highly skilled and experienced local coordinators in their area. Becoming a Home-Start Cymru volunteer enables us to improve the lives of families by encouraging parents to develop the knowledge, skills, and resilience to enable their children to thrive.

  What we’re looking for: 

• A parent, grandparent, carer, someone with parenting experience or students who would like a career working with families
• Good communication skills, including an ability to listen and understand the need for support
• A sensitive and caring attitude towards others with a non-judgemental attitude
• Time and enthusiasm for Home-Start Cymru and support for our social media campaigns
• Commitment to visit or call a family member each week at a mutually agreed time
• A positive attitude to working with people of any gender, family status or sexual identity, or who are from any ethnic origin, culture or religion, or who may have a disability.

 How can you support us?

 You will find background information about the campaign in our toolkit with a downloadable poster, newsletter copy and social media posts and hints and tips for how you and your organisation can support the campaign.

We’d love for you to support the campaign by:

• Reading the toolkit (attached)

CYM Together We Can – Toolkit
Together We Can – Toolkit

• Sharing one of our assets and messages on your social media channels
• Retweeting or sharing our social media posts
• Promote our volunteer opportunities to your staff members

#TogetherWeCan inspire people throughout Wales to commit their time to help ensure that every family in Wales has the support they need to give their children the best start in life.

Thank you for your support.”

Running on Tuesdays and Thursdays this trial of a Community Bus will continue until 15th November.  Starting at Nicholaston Cross and running into Mumbles via Pennard.  This service has been designed by local people who want to get out and about without a car, meet friends, have a coffee and pick up some shopping in Mumbles.

The full timetable that was attached here is now out of date and removed.

You may be aware that the Welsh Government has announced that a Fuel Support Payment of £200 can be made to people who satisfy the eligibility criteria. Once again these payments are to be administered by local councils on behalf of Welsh Government.

Swansea Council’s web page has gone live and contains details of the eligibility criteria as they stand at the moment (there MAY be some further changes to the qualifying criteria and we await Welsh Gov confirmation of that)

Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23 – Swansea

Source: Pennard Newsletter

Tenovus have approached Community Councils in Wales asking that we help them raise awareness of their Cancer Care Support.  The link to their website with is shown below.

Tenovus Cancer Care

The UK Government has launched the Help for Households campaign which draws together information on the support packages it has put in place to help ease the impact of the cost of living crisis. There are 41 schemes available to support citizens, all of which can be found on the new Help for Households website