Published: Wednesday 6 July 2022
On 15 June, Financial Inclusion Project Manager, Jim Kirkham, met with a number of tenants from across the borough at the Town Hall in the first face-to-face board meeting to be held since the pandemic.
Jim led discussions on new and existing grant funding initiatives and what is a very hot topic currently, the cost of living. He also delivered a presentation on financial health checks and answered questions relating to financial hardship, budgeting, welfare, and debt. Jim reported that a recurring theme throughout the meeting was the struggles that families and single persons on low incomes are facing.
The group identified that more community training was required around budgeting, completing tax returns and general financial welfare. It was agreed the Council would provide tailored workshops and other information-sharing sessions that will be of interest to tenants.
It is also hoped that data about household incomes retained by, and shared within, the Council can be used to identify and target families and individuals who are experiencing fuel and/or food poverty and who might benefit from more tailored advice.
The likelihood is that future meetings will adopt more of a hybrid format to promote more widespread attendance. Future attendees are also likely to benefit from sage advice dispensed by speakers from Age Concern and energy experts the Green Doctors.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 17 August from 6pm to 8pm in the Freeman Suite at Kensington Town Hall. In the meantime, if you have any enquiries, please contact the Financial Inclusion Team on 0208 964 6157.