If you have concerns about the current cost of living, you can benefit from financial support sessions we are offering at community spaces in Norfolk, in partnership with the social enterprise Your Own Place.
The sessions, based in Diss and Wymondham, offer the chance to have a chat with the Your Own Place team and plan how to manage your finances more effectively.
These are a mixture of drop-in discussions, 1-to-1 chats, and dedicated Cost of Living sessions, covering topics including:
- Budgeting and saving
- Managing and understanding debt
- Benefits and Cost of Living support
- Understanding and saving on bills
You can also get support with short online forms, applying for travel passes, signposting to local organisations or addressing any money-related concerns or questions.
Upcoming sessions will be held at Hope Church, Diss on the following dates:
- Monday 5 February, 10am - 11am
- Monday 12 February, 10am - 11am
- Friday 23 February, 10.45am - 12pm
- Monday 26 February, 10am - 11am
- Friday 8 March, 10.45am - 12pm
- Monday 11 March, 10am - 11am
- Monday 18 March, 10am - 11am
- Friday 22 March, 10.45am - 12pm
- Monday 25 March, 10am - 11am
We are also available for members of Steps Community Food Shop on Ayton Road in Wymondham on the following dates:
- Tuesday 6 February, 9.15am – 11am
- Tuesday 20 February, 9.15am – 11am
- Tuesday 5 March, 9.15am – 11am
- Tuesday 19 March, 9.15am - 11am
Your Own Place have shared how these sessions supported three Saffron tenants in the lead up to Christmas.
*Please note that names have been changed.
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Jane* is a Saffron tenant who found Your Own Place through St. John's Church in Harleston. She had been struggling with a PIP application, so we sat down and prepared notes for her to take to Citizens Advice. We then worked together on a personal budget sheet and she identified ways to save money on outgoings.
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George* is another Saffron tenant, who we met at Hope Church in Diss in the autumn, when he told us he needed financial help as he was struggling to make ends meet. Three 1-to-1 sessions and a workshop later, he is now feeling more confident about money!
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Alice* is a dedicated mum who was contemplating cancelling Christmas Day for her three children due to financial hardship. We were able to provide her with a supermarket voucher, from the Norfolk Household Support Fund (funded to organisations through the Norfolk County Council Cost of Living Support Scheme), which meant Christmas for the kids was possible.