New website will show struggling Highcliffe and Walkford residents how they can find help

HIGHCLIFFE and Walkford Parish Council is considering setting up a foodbank after launching a webpage to show residents where they can find warmth and company in the winter.

Highcliffe Link is an online list of the places where people worried about heating their houses all day can escape the cold.

They include a lunch club at Greystones, a Tech Buddy session at the library which also offers Knit and Knatter, and a cards and games drop-in at the Holy Redeemer Church.

The council said it was developing more and is planning to give information about how people struggling with the cost of living crisis can get help.

Cllr Adam Sofianos said: “We as a parish council can’t just sit on our hands.

“Things are hard at the moment. Going into winter they are going to get harder and after that they will get even harder still.

“Many people, especially elderly, will not be able to heat their homes all day. The ‘social spaces’ part of the website will show them where they can go for a bit of warmth and company.

“The ‘family resources’ is aimed at struggling families. Current data shows that 30% of people in the parish earn below the average wage while 15% of pupils at schools receive free meals.”

He added: “We will be giving information about what resources they can access now while also developing further ones we can offer in the future.”

The council is hoping to set up a local food bank and is also working on other initiatives for families including access to nearly new clothing and low-cost Christmas presents.

The council has printed 5,000 newsletters for residents letting them know about the new webpage.

It is also looking for volunteers to help with some of the projects.

Visit highcliffewalkford-pc.gov.uk/highcliffelink