How are we supporting you through the rising cost of living?

What are we doing to support our tenants and the local community?

Specific support for Progress Housing Group tenants:

We have various teams to offer tailored support to tenants:

• Financial Inclusion Team can provide support with welfare benefits for advice and help with the various applications processes, and budgeting.
• Community Support Officers can offer emotional and practical support for people who are struggling.
• Critical Tenancy Support Service provides life skills and can work with households to provide budgeting advice, help with wellbeing and signpost to relevant agencies.

We would urge anyone who is struggling to pay their rent or other household bills, not to suffer in silence but to get in touch with their local Area Housing Teams who are there to provide support and assistance – 03333 204 555 or use our live chat function on the website.

We have more advice here: Money advice and fraud | Progress Housing Group (progressgroup.org.uk) and Support | Progress Housing Group (progressgroup.org.uk)

Energy efficiency programmes to help reduce the impact of rising energy prices. This includes identifying and upgrading properties and schemes that could benefit most from energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, heating and lighting upgrades. 

As part of this work, colleagues are providing energy advice to tenants to help reduce their bills.

We are also working proactively with South Ribble Borough Council to alleviate homelessness, by offering interim accommodation and support.

Our support for tenants and the local community:

Community Shops and warm welcomes – The Base and The Place

• The Base community centre, Broadfield estate, Leyland – in partnership with Key Unlocking Futures

Community cafe every Monday offers free hot food for the local community between 10am - 4:30pm

One stop shop every Wednesday – Register and pay £2.50 per week to select 10 items of food from the shop.

Opens as a warm welcome Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/TheBaseonBroadfield

• Wade Hall Community Shop, Royal Avenue, Leyland – run by members of Wade Hall Community Association

Open Mondays 12.30pm until 6.30pm. Register to be a member. Members pay £3.50 per visit for 10 items. More details can be found here: www.facebook.com/wadehall.centre

Wade Hall Community Association also runs two social and activity groups on Wednesdays and Fridays, which provide a warm welcome for people.

• Progress Futures available for employment and training support 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

• The Back to Basics group is open from 12.30pm until 3.30pm on Wednesdays, offering support and opportunities to learn a new skill, such as crochet, arts and crafts, as well as cooking on a budget. There will also be job and training opportunities and budget advice.

• On Fridays, the Thrift Shop will be open, from 12.30pm until 6.30pm. There will be warm soup, clothes stalls, plus opportunities to have a chat or play table tennis or cards.

• The Fylde Food Community Hub - Lower Lane Community Centre: Open Saturday mornings. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/FACFHLLC/

Progress Futures job clubs

• Job Club @ The Place - Thursdays 10am until noon

Offers: One to one specialist support to help you search and apply for work and apprenticeships

Help updating your CV, cover letter and completing online applications

Advice on interview skills and preparation

Visit: my.progressfuture.org.uk

• Social and Share @ The Place  - Thursdays 1pm until 3pm

You can receive benefits and welfare advice, job searching support and information on local training opportunities

A place to share skills and learn from each other, helping you to build relationships in your local community

You can access computers and the internet in a warm environment with support on hand if needed

For more information about employment and skills support, call or text 07976812535 or visit www.progressgroup.org.uk/futures/

• Job Club at Leyland Civic Centre – Tuesdays 10am until noon

Offers: One to one specialist support to help you search and apply for work and apprenticeships

Help to update your CV, cover letter and complete online applications

Advice on interview skills and preparation

Sponsorship and charity

Progress Housing Group’s Charity Committee regularly donates funds to local charities or community groups through its Community Investment Fund.

During April 2022 to March 2023 we have committed to spend £66,927 from the Community Investment Fund through our Soup Dragon’s Den event, community support grant and community fund applications.

For more information on how to apply, visit /community-investment/

Key Unlocking Futures support

Key Unlocking Futures can help people build a better life and help prevent homelessness.

• Resolve family issues
• Domestic abuse support
• Emotional support for school aged children and their families through the Lancashire County Council Early Help Service
• Access to food, advice, and showers for people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness
• Support for Young Adults 16 to 25 with housing advice and options
• Employment support

For more information, visit www.keycharity.org.uk/help-and-support/ or call 01772 678979.

Key Tech and Talk - help with basic digital and money management skills

One to one or group sessions, helping you to:

• Stay safe online
• Build your self confidence
• Learn budgeting skills
• Access the internet
• Complete application forms

For more information contact Keith on 07976827931 or email keithv@keycharity.org.uk

Christmas support

• Wade Hall Community Association and The Base on Broadfield is joining forces to provide children with a Christmas Eve Bag filled with treats and a new pair of pyjamas.
• Magic Key is a corporate Christmas fundraising campaign asking businesses to donate to Key Unlocking Futures to support young people experiencing homelessness through the festive period.
• Progress Housing Group’s South Ribble and Chorley women’s refuges will hold their Christmas Wish Tree Appeal. More details to be released later.

For more help and support, visit our new Cost of Living Hub.

For previous articles on our cost of living support, please visit How we are supporting you through the cost of living crisis | Progress Housing Group (progressgroup.org.uk)