Despite the turmoil within our Government continuing – with the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Exchequer one of the recent changes – thankfully the latest gas and electricity price caps and £400 household energy rebates are not yet among the policies being reversed by Downing Street.
Nevertheless, the soaring cost of everything, not just our fuel bills, means some Ruddington residents will still struggle to both feed their families and heat their homes this winter. The support website ‘Warm Welcome UK’ says: “There is an estimated £800 gap between the overall cost-of-living and package for families on means-tested benefits – meaning many will have to look to their local community and churches for support.”
Back in June, St Peter’s Church here in Ruddington launched a new initiative called ‘Heat ‘n’ Eat’ where, twice a month, villagers can gather to enjoy good, affordable, wholesome food served-up in the peaceful surroundings of the church. It was made possible by financial support from Rushcliffe Borough Council, via Reach Rushcliffe – with the mere £1 cost also including a soft drink.
Church member Liz Mack is now also the driving force behind taking this a stage further: “After having conversations with both worried residents, our church PCC, and Ruddington Parish Council, we felt it would be useful if we could try and bring together as many people as possible across the village to get as much accurate information about how people are coping and what the actual needs are. We can then pool them together, in a coherent way, to come up with ways of opening up public ‘Warm Spaces’ and making sure people can access them easily” she explains.
“People I talk to at ‘Heat ‘n’ Eat’ and other groups are already saying they are afraid to turn their heating on and don’t know how they will cope during the winter. Someone I spoke to recently said that, although she has two jobs, with her bills doubling she doesn’t know she will heat her home this winter for her family.”
Liz continues: “I feel it’s unacceptable that people will have to make the choice between food and heating in a first world, apparently wealthy, country like the UK and, sadly, those already having to do this before this current crisis will be hit even harder. But witnessing how folks came together in our village and beyond during the pandemic, and helped their neighbours, I am hopeful we can do this again and help each other through this new crisis.”
To take this idea forward, an initial ‘Open Meeting’ has been organised from 7.30pm this Tuesday, 18th October, in St Peter’s Church. It’s to gather ideas and suggestions from the village community as to where we could have ‘Warm Spaces’ around Ruddington over the coming, winter months. Local Councillors and Church members will be in attendance, and everyone’s welcome to go along.
Liz adds: “I also hope to have a representative there from Nottingham Energy Partnership – who will give us advice about how we can keep our homes warm.”
Meantime, ‘Heat ‘n’ Eat’ continues on the 1st and 4th Monday lunchtimes of each month at the church – with the next one coming up at 12.30pm on October 24th. You can book in for it >>HERE<<.
