Hub helps people cope with the cost of living

A community hub operating in St Dennis and Bugle is providing a lifeline for people struggling to cope with rising bills and the cost of living.

The "multi-information hubs" were set up by Fiona Hunt, a social prescribing worker at the Clays Practice in Roche, who wanted to bring different agencies together to help the community access guidance.

She said people could benefit from a range of services, including paying their water bills, obtaining heating grants, housing support and benefit advice.

"People can get heating grants; if they're in a bit of debt with their electricity company Community Energy Plus can help, a whole range of things," she said.

Ali Griffin said she did not leave her house for 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic because of complications with her health.

She said there were no services for her to access in Fraddon and she suffered from loneliness. But when she moved to St Dennis her life was transformed.

"The community centre here was my lifeline," she said. "I came here to do the art club, the book club, the craft club, sewing club, I've come here to the ukulele club and also there's the hub that does various services for us to use.

"The support you get from the team has been brilliant, they've become friends," she said.

Fiona Wakeman suffered a brain injury following a car incident 31 years ago and sustained another head injury at the end of 2023. She also suffers from chronic fatigue and memory problems.

She said: "I use it (the hub) for the Disability Employment Advisor, Talking Therapies and seeing Fiona who is a social prescriber, because over the years she has signposted me to many different places and it is invaluable."

Hub user Keith Benham said it had been a lifeline for him after he was signed off work after suffering nerve damage in his hands and feet.

"It was devastating, he said. "I left school when I was 15 and I'm 62 now. I've never been out of work.

"Coming here through Fiona, the social prescriber, she's got me out in the community doing things, " he said.

The information hub is held at ClayTAWK community centre on the first Wednesday of the month and at Bugle Village Hall on the first Tuesday of every month.

ClayTAWK manager Kerry Merrifield said they want more people to use the available services.

"We're not restricted to St Dennis, anyone can use this building, so come along, see what we've got to offer and if we can help, we will," she said.

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