Cost of living support: food, home and money
The cost-of-living crisis presents an ongoing challenge to people and families across Scotland, with many struggling to make ends meet. Not only is it is affecting people financially, it is having an impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
On this page you can find resources and information, organisations and services that can help with the cost of living crisis, including the impact it can have on your mental health and ways to improve your wellbeing.
Let us know what works well for you. If you have any other suggestions for this page, please email eastspace@health-in-mind.org.uk
Money
With bigger bills and stretched budgets, you may well be feeling a financial squeeze on all sides. From heating your home to the supermarket shop, fuel and your everyday essentials, prices have been going up.
If you’re concerned about the cost of living and how to look after your money, this is a good place to start. This section has information that can help you manage your finances and understand what support you are entitled to.
Citizens Advice Scotland’s Money Map will help you find sources of online support to:
- Increase your income
- Reduce your bills
- Ease the costs of daily living
This includes information on benefits, council tax, grants, budgeting, utilities, food, clothing and energy costs.
Learn more here – moneymap.scot
Local Citizens Advice Bureau
Phone: 01620 824471
Address: 46 Court St, Haddington, EH41 3NP
Organisations
Energy Saving Trust has some great information on how to understand your energy bill. They also provide some tips that could help you save money on energy.
GOV UK Winter Fuel Payment is available to those born on or before 25 September 1956, find out if you could be eligible.
Money Talk Team offers support and money advice for families in Scotland. The team can help you with practical money management skills and find out what you might be entitled to.
Money Advice Scotland can help people in debt and support money advisers. It aims for financial wellbeing for the people of Scotland.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is Good Morning Britain’s “Money Man”, watch his short videos, giving information on how to save money.
Food
The cost of living crisis has caused food insecurity for many of us in East Lothian.
Here’s a range of information and support available to help you access food when you need it, make healthy and affordable meals, and understand the connection between food and our mental health and wellbeing.
Local organisations
East Lothian Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
The East Lothian Fareshare Hub can help facilitate unused supermarket food free of charge for community groups in East Lothian. To find out more email: eastlothianfaresharehub@eastlothian.gov.uk.
Musselburgh Baptist Church in partnership with Edinburgh City Mission has a Basics Bank where you can get items such as tinned and fresh food, toiletries, and childcare products. (This service requires a referral needed from Social Work, Health, CAB, and East Lothian Council)
Wallyford Community Centre provide family meal packs – including recipe and fresh ingredients provided on a ‘call and collect’ basis. Phone 0131 653 2804 or private message on its Facebook page
Basics Dunbar offers help to individuals going through a crisis to access food and support.
East Lothian Council has a listed a wide range of food resources – Food support in East Lothian
Guides and information
Eat Well Age Well aims to tackle malnutrition in older people. It has a range of resources on how to keep healthy and well.
Change 4 Life has lots of recipes and ideas to help parents and guardians so you can make healthier choices for your families.
Parent Club has a wide range of recipes, food planners and healthy tips.
Cooking on a bootstrap is a blog from Jack Monroe and has lots of ideas and recipes to help you eat well on a low income.
The mental health charity Mind has a guide on ‘Food and mood‘ which looks at the connection between food and our wellbeing. It also includes information on how you can eat more healthily.
Food Standards Scotland answers your questions about food and Covid-19.
The Pennypit Development Trust has cook-along videos and recipes to go along with their food packs.
Home
Shelter has a dedicated cost of living section on its website which includes information about:
- The rent freeze
- The eviction ban
- Get help with housing costs
Find out more here: Shelter Scotland – Your housing rights in the cost of living crisis
Home Energy Scotland are sharing ways to create a cosier and more comfortable space by taking control of your heating system.
Scottish Government has created an information page detailing how to stay well this winter and what practical support is available to those living in Scotland.
Warm Places
East Lothian has a number of council and community-run buildings that are open to the public, such as libraries and community center’s where you can use services and participate in activities in warm, welcoming spaces. East Lothian Council has pulled together details of where you can go – A warm place with a friendly face.