Cost of Living Roadshows Angus

Published 26/09/2023.  Last updated 26/03/2024

The Cost of Living roadshows in Angus were led by the Vibrant Communities (CLD) service alongside the Community planning Partnership. Communities across Angus were supported with direct access to information and advice from various services in response to the cost of living crisis. Challenge Poverty Week 2022 was used as a platform to launch a series of six cost of living roadshow events across Angus. The events were designed to support low-income households who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. 

Addressing Community Need

The events used CLD approaches to provide opportunities for communities to access several support agencies informally. The roadshows were planned collaboratively with volunteers and community groups to help people access advice and support. Staff operated from community-based venues to create a non-stigmatising, open and welcoming approach to tackling poverty and its associated issues. 

The need for the roadshow events were identified through several engagements and information exchanges between the Community Planning Partnership Child Poverty group, Incident Management Team COVID Recovery Group and Cost of Living crisis meetings, Get Ready for Summer feedback, LACER fund meetings and engagement undertaken by Vibrant Communities teams across Angus.  Staff from the Vibrant Communities Service and the Community Planning Partnership invited partners, agencies and service providers to come together to provide information and support to the most vulnerable people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.  The objectives of this project were: 

  • To co-ordinate the response to ensure the best use of resources and collective decision-making.  
  • To consider the implications of the cost-of-living crisis on Angus Council and partners through evaluations and feedback from individuals and communities attending the road shows. 
  • The development and creation of positive pathways through partnership networking at events for individuals 
  • To mitigate the risk of duplication of services provided in communities

This project was developed in line with the local priorities of the Community Plan and strategically linked with the following priorities of the Angus Council plan: 

  • To offer our citizens a range of opportunities to help them achieve their potential and to reduce poverty.
  • To engage with citizens and communities to deliver the right services in the right place at the right time.

Description

Six roadshows were held across Angus during a five-month period between October and February 2023. A small budget from the Angus LACER fund enabled the roadshows to happen and included the cost of slow cookers, fresh foods, and renting venues.  An invitation to participate in the roadshows was sent out to a wide range of partner providers, with over 30 different support agencies getting involved. There was no additional cost for staff/providers attending the roadshows as they undertook this as part of their existing work. 

The venues all had well-established links within the communities and were located centrally.  Each partner was asked to bring their own service information and share appropriate resources. Partners in attendance also took the opportunity to network with each other, collaborating where possible to improve provision. 

Angus Council staff welcomed people into the events and signposted to relevant partners. This helped to create a warm and friendly environment, putting people at ease on entry to ensure a non-stigmatising approach. Community café volunteers, supported by Vibrant Community staff, offered free-of-charge refreshments to all attendees. Attendees were able to access advice and support tailored to their individual needs. To complement the provision of stalls, staff provided cookery demonstrations, access to fresh fruit and vegetables, ‘Grab a Bag’ ingredients and healthy recipes to take away. Staff also offered guidance on using affordable and healthy cooking methods, and attendees were offered a free slow cooker. All recipients agreed to a follow-up interview to assess the impact of this.   

Promotion of the events were essential to both notify and engage members of the public and community groups. The Angus Council Corporate Communication Team organised local radio station adverts, publicity in newspapers and through Facebook and Twitter. They also designed a hard copy leaflet which contained detailed sources of help and advice from partners of the Angus Community Planning Partnership and other external organisations.  This also linked to Angus Council help with the Cost of Living webpage, which also highlighted warm spaces across the local authority. 

Impact

Six roadshows delivered across Angus with a total of over 500 people attending. 

Demographics: ages 0-97 years, minority groups, single parents, young people in their first tenancy, long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, English as a second language, veterans.  

Over 30 partners:  Angus Council Departments, Health & Social Care, departments, NHS, national and local 3rd sector groups, Fire, Police, Social security, Angus Alive, community organisations, MP & MSP representation.  

135 slow cookers distributed:  Those who received a slow cooker at the roadshows agreed to be contacted 6-8 weeks after the event through a follow-up telephone call or email.

Over 500 people attended the roadshows, representing a wide demographic range, with some people attending more than one event. Staff met the overall aims by providing face-to-face contact with services and organisations that offer information, support, and advice.  Staff promoted the importance of volunteering, highlighting learning and personal development opportunities for those who prepared hot food and drinks as part of the events. There was also promotion of community involvement by ensuring local groups offered and promoted their local services. 

As a result of the roadshows, providers have evidenced a high uptake of individuals seeking information and advice. This demonstrates the positive impact of the cost of living roadshow, where people had direct access to supportive organisations who were able to offer advice, resources and pathways that enabled individuals to discreetly access the support they needed at the right time.  

100% of individuals contacted reported that the roadshow was extremely helpful, with 8% still receiving support from specific agencies. Evaluations demonstrated the most common lifestyle changes included: 

  • Food changes: buying reduced /essential own brand food, shopping around; using subsidised organisations; food banks; community gardens; use of slow cooker (over 65% regularly using and 33% occasionally using)  
  • Fuel changes: heating on less; thermostat turned down; using blankets and layering; turning off lights; washing machine used less; not using the car.

“I didn’t know about things like warm spaces at the church until I went. It’s a total game-changer. Good to put a face to the names of these organisations and get a chance to talk to them.” 

“My daughter has Autism & ADHD. I spoke to Welfare Rights, and I wasn’t receiving a part of Universal Credit. I fought for it and finally got the payment and backdated.” 

“(The roadshow) Really helpful. Went round everyone. My partner lost his job so good to see what support is out there. Not using the oven as much due to the slow cooker so I feel that’s making a massive difference. “ 

Case studies

An elderly male who had been widowed in the last couple of years had no idea what he was entitled to and was finding things much harder with rising energy and food bills. He was extremely grateful to speak to the people from Social Security Scotland who were able to advise and support him.  

One mum came with her young (primary aged) son. She was also worried about rising costs and was very keen to educate her son on how to cook on a budget.  She was given a slow cooker and was over the moon with this. Both her and her son were excited to cook using the slow cooker and took away recipes and took pictures of recipes too.  

One family with five living at home were worried about coping with increasing costs as both parents were unemployed and in receipt of benefits. They were not confident cooking and had low level literacy abilities. They were given a slow cooker along with recipes and were appreciative of this. They also spoke with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about the new smoke detectors, social supermarket (they had never heard of them before) and also took away a free recipe bag. They also took some of the period poverty products. One of the parents is now attending literacy support sessions

A large extended family were struggling with benefits and rising costs (especially with energy).  They spoke with and received practical support from SCARF, Health Promotion team about the stop smoking initiative, Social Supermarket, received period products and support from the family nurture team, who are continuing to work with them.

All partners who participated completed evaluations after the roadshows to ensure future activities were responsive and implemented changes to the environment, resources and approach. This helped to inform and develop further events. The team was able to ensure continuous improvement and provide the best service for the public. 

“It is great that a need has been responded to, and it is a great opportunity for all the groups and agencies to get back out there being face-to-face with both the public and with each other - this can only strengthen the support available for people in Angus. “ 

“A lot of work is going on in Angus to tackle poverty and these events help to build relationships with other agencies for future collaboration.” 

Next steps

Following the success of the Angus Cost-of-Living Roadshows, the Local Member of Parliament (MP) has adopted the model. The MP’s team has planned five events for those aged 50+, across Angus, during the summer and early autumn. This will help to ensure older people are aware of the financial, health and community support available to them. The events will be free for members of the public to attend and will be useful to continue to give local organisations and groups a boost in visibility. 

Samaritans (Scotland) have also used the model and delivered a well-being event in Montrose. This event focused on raising awareness of support available to people in Montrose to look after their mental health and well-being and know where to access support or activities.  The focus was on the well-being of men; however, everyone was welcome, including families looking for support and advice. 

Work is ongoing to promote and empower local community groups to facilitate the community-based drop-in support model as part of their everyday provision. A list of contacts for support agencies will be shared, offering an opportunity for groups and individuals to access essential services at a time and place which best suits their needs; adding extra value to existing events. It is hoped this will support the creation of a sustainable model for the Cost-of-Living Roadshows. 

Reflections

“We would encourage practitioners and providers to be brave, think outside of the box. Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean we can’t do it.  

Use the positive and well-established relationships to find out what people really want and need.” 

“Allow time for new projects to establish, give more than one opportunity for people to engage and participate, clever use of existing relationships with someone known to the family should support this. Showcase the positives and act on and learn from any constructive feedback. Collaboration and communication are the key to success.” 

Further Information

Contact Helen Reid, Vibrant Communities and Sustainable Growth.

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Cost of Living Roadshows Angus

Published 26/09/2023.  Last updated 26/03/2024

The Cost of Living roadshows in Angus were led by the Vibrant Communities (CLD) service alongside the Community planning Partnership. Communities across Angus were supported with direct access to information and advice from various services in response to the cost of living crisis. Challenge Poverty Week 2022 was used as a platform to launch a series of six cost of living roadshow events across Angus. The events were designed to support low-income households who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. 

Addressing Community Need

The events used CLD approaches to provide opportunities for communities to access several support agencies informally. The roadshows were planned collaboratively with volunteers and community groups to help people access advice and support. Staff operated from community-based venues to create a non-stigmatising, open and welcoming approach to tackling poverty and its associated issues. 

The need for the roadshow events were identified through several engagements and information exchanges between the Community Planning Partnership Child Poverty group, Incident Management Team COVID Recovery Group and Cost of Living crisis meetings, Get Ready for Summer feedback, LACER fund meetings and engagement undertaken by Vibrant Communities teams across Angus.  Staff from the Vibrant Communities Service and the Community Planning Partnership invited partners, agencies and service providers to come together to provide information and support to the most vulnerable people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.  The objectives of this project were: 

  • To co-ordinate the response to ensure the best use of resources and collective decision-making.  
  • To consider the implications of the cost-of-living crisis on Angus Council and partners through evaluations and feedback from individuals and communities attending the road shows. 
  • The development and creation of positive pathways through partnership networking at events for individuals 
  • To mitigate the risk of duplication of services provided in communities

This project was developed in line with the local priorities of the Community Plan and strategically linked with the following priorities of the Angus Council plan: 

  • To offer our citizens a range of opportunities to help them achieve their potential and to reduce poverty.
  • To engage with citizens and communities to deliver the right services in the right place at the right time.

Description

Six roadshows were held across Angus during a five-month period between October and February 2023. A small budget from the Angus LACER fund enabled the roadshows to happen and included the cost of slow cookers, fresh foods, and renting venues.  An invitation to participate in the roadshows was sent out to a wide range of partner providers, with over 30 different support agencies getting involved. There was no additional cost for staff/providers attending the roadshows as they undertook this as part of their existing work. 

The venues all had well-established links within the communities and were located centrally.  Each partner was asked to bring their own service information and share appropriate resources. Partners in attendance also took the opportunity to network with each other, collaborating where possible to improve provision. 

Angus Council staff welcomed people into the events and signposted to relevant partners. This helped to create a warm and friendly environment, putting people at ease on entry to ensure a non-stigmatising approach. Community café volunteers, supported by Vibrant Community staff, offered free-of-charge refreshments to all attendees. Attendees were able to access advice and support tailored to their individual needs. To complement the provision of stalls, staff provided cookery demonstrations, access to fresh fruit and vegetables, ‘Grab a Bag’ ingredients and healthy recipes to take away. Staff also offered guidance on using affordable and healthy cooking methods, and attendees were offered a free slow cooker. All recipients agreed to a follow-up interview to assess the impact of this.   

Promotion of the events were essential to both notify and engage members of the public and community groups. The Angus Council Corporate Communication Team organised local radio station adverts, publicity in newspapers and through Facebook and Twitter. They also designed a hard copy leaflet which contained detailed sources of help and advice from partners of the Angus Community Planning Partnership and other external organisations.  This also linked to Angus Council help with the Cost of Living webpage, which also highlighted warm spaces across the local authority. 

Impact

Six roadshows delivered across Angus with a total of over 500 people attending. 

Demographics: ages 0-97 years, minority groups, single parents, young people in their first tenancy, long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, English as a second language, veterans.  

Over 30 partners:  Angus Council Departments, Health & Social Care, departments, NHS, national and local 3rd sector groups, Fire, Police, Social security, Angus Alive, community organisations, MP & MSP representation.  

135 slow cookers distributed:  Those who received a slow cooker at the roadshows agreed to be contacted 6-8 weeks after the event through a follow-up telephone call or email.

Over 500 people attended the roadshows, representing a wide demographic range, with some people attending more than one event. Staff met the overall aims by providing face-to-face contact with services and organisations that offer information, support, and advice.  Staff promoted the importance of volunteering, highlighting learning and personal development opportunities for those who prepared hot food and drinks as part of the events. There was also promotion of community involvement by ensuring local groups offered and promoted their local services. 

As a result of the roadshows, providers have evidenced a high uptake of individuals seeking information and advice. This demonstrates the positive impact of the cost of living roadshow, where people had direct access to supportive organisations who were able to offer advice, resources and pathways that enabled individuals to discreetly access the support they needed at the right time.  

100% of individuals contacted reported that the roadshow was extremely helpful, with 8% still receiving support from specific agencies. Evaluations demonstrated the most common lifestyle changes included: 

  • Food changes: buying reduced /essential own brand food, shopping around; using subsidised organisations; food banks; community gardens; use of slow cooker (over 65% regularly using and 33% occasionally using)  
  • Fuel changes: heating on less; thermostat turned down; using blankets and layering; turning off lights; washing machine used less; not using the car.

“I didn’t know about things like warm spaces at the church until I went. It’s a total game-changer. Good to put a face to the names of these organisations and get a chance to talk to them.” 

“My daughter has Autism & ADHD. I spoke to Welfare Rights, and I wasn’t receiving a part of Universal Credit. I fought for it and finally got the payment and backdated.” 

“(The roadshow) Really helpful. Went round everyone. My partner lost his job so good to see what support is out there. Not using the oven as much due to the slow cooker so I feel that’s making a massive difference. “ 

Case studies

An elderly male who had been widowed in the last couple of years had no idea what he was entitled to and was finding things much harder with rising energy and food bills. He was extremely grateful to speak to the people from Social Security Scotland who were able to advise and support him.  

One mum came with her young (primary aged) son. She was also worried about rising costs and was very keen to educate her son on how to cook on a budget.  She was given a slow cooker and was over the moon with this. Both her and her son were excited to cook using the slow cooker and took away recipes and took pictures of recipes too.  

One family with five living at home were worried about coping with increasing costs as both parents were unemployed and in receipt of benefits. They were not confident cooking and had low level literacy abilities. They were given a slow cooker along with recipes and were appreciative of this. They also spoke with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about the new smoke detectors, social supermarket (they had never heard of them before) and also took away a free recipe bag. They also took some of the period poverty products. One of the parents is now attending literacy support sessions

A large extended family were struggling with benefits and rising costs (especially with energy).  They spoke with and received practical support from SCARF, Health Promotion team about the stop smoking initiative, Social Supermarket, received period products and support from the family nurture team, who are continuing to work with them.

All partners who participated completed evaluations after the roadshows to ensure future activities were responsive and implemented changes to the environment, resources and approach. This helped to inform and develop further events. The team was able to ensure continuous improvement and provide the best service for the public. 

“It is great that a need has been responded to, and it is a great opportunity for all the groups and agencies to get back out there being face-to-face with both the public and with each other - this can only strengthen the support available for people in Angus. “ 

“A lot of work is going on in Angus to tackle poverty and these events help to build relationships with other agencies for future collaboration.” 

Next steps

Following the success of the Angus Cost-of-Living Roadshows, the Local Member of Parliament (MP) has adopted the model. The MP’s team has planned five events for those aged 50+, across Angus, during the summer and early autumn. This will help to ensure older people are aware of the financial, health and community support available to them. The events will be free for members of the public to attend and will be useful to continue to give local organisations and groups a boost in visibility. 

Samaritans (Scotland) have also used the model and delivered a well-being event in Montrose. This event focused on raising awareness of support available to people in Montrose to look after their mental health and well-being and know where to access support or activities.  The focus was on the well-being of men; however, everyone was welcome, including families looking for support and advice. 

Work is ongoing to promote and empower local community groups to facilitate the community-based drop-in support model as part of their everyday provision. A list of contacts for support agencies will be shared, offering an opportunity for groups and individuals to access essential services at a time and place which best suits their needs; adding extra value to existing events. It is hoped this will support the creation of a sustainable model for the Cost-of-Living Roadshows. 

Reflections

“We would encourage practitioners and providers to be brave, think outside of the box. Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean we can’t do it.  

Use the positive and well-established relationships to find out what people really want and need.” 

“Allow time for new projects to establish, give more than one opportunity for people to engage and participate, clever use of existing relationships with someone known to the family should support this. Showcase the positives and act on and learn from any constructive feedback. Collaboration and communication are the key to success.” 

Further Information

Contact Helen Reid, Vibrant Communities and Sustainable Growth.

^ Back to top