Care & Support

Worried about Money?

The cost of living crisis is having an impact throughout our community. If you’re worrying about money then you’re not alone. Mayfair is here for support, advice and a friendly ear. Click here or scroll down on this page for more detailed information.

Cost of living advice and support

A great place to start for advice and support on the cost of living is this Shropshire Council information page: www.shropshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help

If you have experienced a sudden change in circumstances; if you’re awaiting a benefit payment or decision; if your money doesn’t stretch far enough; or if you are in debt; there is variety of support available in Shropshire. This website sets out some of the options available to you, and some places you can go to for help and support: www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/shropshire. You can also collect a copy of the leaflet from Mayfair.

A warm welcome at Mayfair

Mayfair are registered with the Shropshire Warm Welcome scheme. You are welcome to come to Mayfair during our opening hours and spend time here. You will always receive a warm welcome. You could even bring a laptop along and work from our buildings if you wish. We have two different buildings and different spaces are booked for activities throughout the day but we will always have somewhere you can sit and relax – just ask at one of our receptions if you’re unsure where to go.

In January and February on Tuesdays and Thursdays our Cafe area in the main Community Centre building (not the Health and Wellbeing Centre Coffee Shop) will be set up as a special Warm Welcome area. Tea and Coffee will be provided for you to help yourself to, as well as magazines and activities. At lunchtime on these days we will have soup available free of charge. Please feel free to drop in any day of the week, but Tuesdays and Thursdays we’ll have extra facilities available.

Support with accessing online services and digital devices

Mayfair has free community wi-fi which anyone can log into from our buildings. Ask at reception for our wi-fi passcode. We can also help with advice and support on digital devices and accessing the internet at home. Our friendly Digital Services Volunteers will endeavour to help you with the choices available – you may be surprised what is available from excellent suppliers of low cost refurbished equipment and the availability of lower cost internet access. We will endeavour to help you as much as we can – even if it is just to provide you with some useful information to think about for another day. Call us on 01974 722077 to book an appointment with the Digital support team.

Energy and money saving ideas

If you are keen to save on your gas and electricity bills, Stretton Climate Care can offer energy saving advice at their weekly drop in sessions in our Health and Wellbeing Centre on Thursdays 10am to 12 noon. More advice and information is also available from Marches Energy Agency: www.mea.org.uk, 0800 677 1307, [email protected]. Here are some tips that may help.

• Switch off standby – You can save around £65 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
• Draught-proof windows and doors – Simple tools like a stuffed draft excluder can make a big difference for keeping heat in. You can also buy secondary glazing film very cheaply, which can be stuck to your windows in winter as a simple, cost-effective way of reducing draughts and heat loss.
• Cut your shower time – Cutting just a minute off your shower time could save £207 a year in energy bills, and a further £105 a year in water bills if you have a meter.
• Use radiator thermostats – If you’re spending most of your time in one room, then don’t heat the whole house. Installing and using radiator thermostats allows you to control the temperature room by room, and could save you almost 6%, so about £150 a year on average for a typical home, although an initial outlay is needed.
• Swap your cooking methods – Using a microwave, a slow cooker or an air fryer can save a lot of energy compared to a standard oven or hob.

Food support

If you don’t have the means to buy food, Stretton Foodbank is available at Church Stretton Parish Centre from 2.30 to 4pm each Friday. More details are available here: www.strettonparish.org.uk/strettons-food-bank. If you are concerned about your heating bills and would like a warm place to be then you are welcome to spend time at Mayfair. There is no obligation to purchase anything, the community centre is a warm and welcoming space to spend time.