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Date: 29 Oct 2024
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray has launched a new Cost of living Support Guide at an Anti-Poverty Networking Event in Belfast City Hall. As winter begins and with Christmas ahead, the free guide will be shared at a time when residents continue to grapple with rising costs. Outlining a range of community-based support services, the new guide signposts to important benefits, grants, and referral services while also providing practical tips on how to save money particularly around energy and food bills.
The support organisations featured in the guide joined other key stakeholders at a networking event in Belfast City Hall to foster further collaboration and innovation. Listening to the range of inspirational speakers, lived experiences dominated the event delivering a practical and co-ordinated response to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Organised by Belfast City Council, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray welcomed guests to the event explaining “Poverty is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that impacts our friends, neighbours, and families. Belfast City Council is committed to tackling poverty as part of the inclusive growth and anti-poverty strands of the Belfast Agenda. While there are no quick fixes, it’s only by working together, that we as a city, can begin to make a difference for struggling residents.
From food banks to warm spaces, our new cost of living support guide highlights the variety of support services available across the city. We’re pleased to welcome so many of these hard-working organisations to City Hall today, not only to acknowledge their important contribution, but to be a catalyst for new partnerships, innovative strategies and renewed commitments to our common cause.”
With tailored sections for families and older people, the new guide also includes a list of ‘warm and welcome spaces’ across the community including local leisure centres who this year are offering free activities such as badminton and pickleball.
Copies of Cost of living Support Guide will be distributed to community centres, leisure centres, public libraries and advice service providers across the city in November. The information within the guide is also available on our website at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/costoflivingsupport