Monthly roadshows

Published Monday 22 April, 2024
Last updated on Wednesday 24 April, 2024

More than 870 people have been helped with the cost of living crisis across 18 events hosted by Swale Borough Council.

Following this success, the council have decided to extend the One Swale Roadshows to one event each month on rotation around the borough until March 2025

The previous events, which ran between September 2023 and March 2024, have brought together hundreds of people in need of support with organisations and charities that can offer it.

The 18 events took place in Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Faversham and Leysdown-on-Sea, averaging four events per month.

Forty partners from across the community, voluntary and public sector attended the roadshows to offer advice and support on a range of topics such as health and wellbeing, debt advice and food and fuel support.

People received food and fuel vouchers, water bill reductions, winter warm packs, support with vet bills, health checks and help with accessing the household support fund.

Crucial advice on home safety, energy, how to avoid scams, benefits, health, debt and much more was also available.

The council worked with Swale CVS and Faversham Community Networking Group, to organise these events and are partly funded by the UK Government's Household Support Fund.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee, said:

“Our roadshows have been a resounding success and we are extremely grateful to everyone who made it possible.

“Especially all of our charity partners who offered their invaluable services and advice to the people in need in Swale.

“We know there are many who need help with the cost of living crisis and there are a number of ways to get support; the household support fund, food vouchers and bill reduction, but many people just don’t know about them.

“That is why we have been hosting these roadshows, creating a safe judgement free space where all of the information and support is in one place.

“These events didn’t just offer useful advice, they have had a real impact on the lives of over 800 people in the borough, through health checks, food vouchers, free clothing and much more.

“We are excited to announce we will now be doing one event each month, in different parts of Swale, so people in need can continue to access these important services.”

The next event will be on 25 April at the Sheppey Gateway from 9:30 to 11:30.