Appendix 1 - Cost of Living Report 2022-23
Perth and Kinross Council · 29 November 2023
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 29 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Cost of Living Fund Information A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities
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Cost of Living Fund A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities 2 The fund opened in October 2022 and closed in January 2023 when all funds had been allocated. Initially there was £320,000 available for community groups and organisations to apply for. This was extended in December 2022 and a further £100,000 was added. In total there was £420,000 available for the purposes of creating warm spaces, food and warm home packs. The project was delivered by the Communities team who met weekly to assess applications and gather information from organisations about their proposals. £170,000 for the costs of warm spaces was distributed to 95 successful applicants. £250,000 for the costs of food support and/or warm home packs was distributed to 85 successful applicants. In total there were 120 different organisations receiving funding for warm spaces and/or warm home packs/food support. Information regarding availability of warm spaces was promoted through our website, social media and existing networks.
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Cost of Living Fund Information for Evaluation A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities 3 Evaluation • There were 78 evaluation returns from the 120 organisations = 65% returns • Based on these returns alone, here are the stats: • 16,575 people benefitted from the fund (roughly 11% of the population of Perth & Kinross) • 1049 volunteers were involved in delivering warm spaces, warm home packs, food and activities. • 28 organisations had spent all of their funding at the time of evaluation. • 32 organisations had NOT spent all of their funding at the time of evaluation. • 18 organisations spent more than allocated and topped up from their other funds. Geographical spread of applications by ward area
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Cost of Living Fund A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities 4 Changes made to initially planned projects (a sample of responses) • We made some adjustments due to unanticipated utilities costs (Perthshire Women’s Aid) • Introduced support services coming to our warm spaces (Letham 4 All) • Electricity costs increased so part of the grant was used to cover this (KYTHE) • Lunch and Kitchen component was greater than anticipated due to the high take up of the warm space (Strathmore Community Hub) • 24 respondents cited that they made changes from their original plans including: 8 respondents noted that increased utilities and food costs impacted on their planned activities. How did the funding benefit the community? Theme No of respondents Helped to tackle social isolation 28 Provided residents with safe, warm spaces 49 Provided residents with resources to stay warm at home 15 Provided residents with food 35 Created more opportunities within the community which will continue 15
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Cost of Living Fund Information for Evaluation A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities 5 Quotes: “We provided the only warm space in the Tulloch area including evening open times, food and activities” (Tulloch Net) “5 of our volunteers achieved their Food Hygiene Certificates” (Burrelton Community Hub) “Numbers of people attending has increased due to increased awareness. New social relationships have been formed” (Orwell and Portmoak Church) “Funding helped with heating costs and allowed us to continue community activities instead of having to cancel through the winter” (Clunie Hall Association) “Since starting the warm packs, we have had 20 new men through the door” (Man Talk) “A group of individuals formed a new group as a result of the warm space” (Dunning Community Council) “2 people found employment through engaging in the warm space. We have been able to provide stimulation and increased activities throughout the winter months. People were able to come together and found friendship and support” (Rannoch Community Trust) “Someone said that for the first time in 15 years they have friends and feel welcomed, valued and accepted. Another said it was their first conversation in a week” (The Grub Hub) “All libraries in Perth & Kinross were able to distribute 574 warm packs to adults and children” (Culture P&K) “15 community groups were involved in 9 venues, over 1000 hours of ‘cosy space opportunities’ and 127 cosy packs provided” (Community Action Plan Auchterarder)
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Cost of Living Fund A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities 6 How did the funding help tackle inequalities? Theme No of respondents Positive impact on Mental and Physical Health 16 Supported those experiencing fuel and food poverty 32 Increased inclusion and sense of community 38 Reduced financial embarrassment 11 Provided support in rural areas 9 Quotes: “By providing warm packs we could ensure that people could remain warm at home and the provision of meals meant that people didn’t have to choose between heat or eat” (Letham Community Sports Club) “Providing financial support to purchase food has taken away some of the financial stress on unpaid carers who have increased energy costs to keep loved ones warm or visit them in hospital” (PKAVS carers) “We have been able to provide blankets to older people, those with disabilities, those facing homelessness or struggling with their tenancies” (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) “There was a real benefit to people knowing that lunch would be provided and their heating didn’t need to be on until the evening – saved money and worry” (St. Columba’s Episcopal Church) “Our free activities enabled older people to get out and socialise which also improved their physical and mental health” (Dunbarney and Forgandenny Parish Church) “Even though our objective is to look after the ethnic minorities in the community, we supported anyone who needed help” (Perth Minorities Association)
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What have we learned? • We need to improve cohesive partnership working in localities to avoid duplication of services. • We need to ensure that funding is distributed fairly across the whole of Perth & Kinross, particularly in relation to needs in rural communities. • We need to support groups and organisations to ensure they are adopting best value approaches. • We need to change the language to ensure we reduce the stigma attached to ‘Cost of living’. Feedback from staff involved in delivering the fund: “I took satisfaction in being part of a team which is helping people in the community, helping bring people together to prevent isolation, and realising the importance of the human need for contact and communication between each other” “Throughout the delivery of the Cost-of-Living Fund, I have learned the importance of community engagement, partnership and collaborative working and I have a better understanding of the needs of our diverse communities more clearly”. “The fund has allowed us to increase our understanding of the needs prevalent in our communities and provide resources for them to tackle these inequalities at a local level. To have over 1000 volunteers involved is phenomenal and demonstrates the sense of community across all areas of Perth & Kinross”.