Residents are urged to take part in a survey so the Council, and partners can tailor their cost of living support to help as many people as possible.

Last year Bromsgrove District Council joined forces with partners including Citizens Advice Bromsgrove and Redditch, Act on Energy, Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, local foodbanks and Department for Work and Pensions to signpost all the support available locally as the cost of living crisis hit.

During that time three leaflets have been issued to include top money saving tips, details of support available and most recently where free summer events can be accessed, all alongside social media campaigns to help raise awareness of help locally.

A survey was also carried out earlier this year to ensure that the support being offered was useful to residents.

Now, a year on a second survey is being launched on September 11 in preparation for the Autumn and Winter periods which could see heating needs and bills increasing along with anticipated rent and mortgage rises.

Bromsgrove District Council Leader Karen May, whose portfolio includes Partnerships said: “More people are affected and will continue to be by rising costs not least as we get into the Winter months. This includes those who don’t usually claim benefits or concessions so really don’t know where to start to get help.

“By putting all of the services and support available in one place on our website and following it up with leaflets for those less digitally-minded we are reaching out to as many people as possible.

“We know a lot can happen in a year so this latest survey will give us vital information to ensure the support which is on offer is useful and most of all accessible.”

The survey runs from Sept 11 until midnight on October 8 and can be found here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BDCCostofLivingSept2023/

Paper copies of this survey are also available from Parkside.