Families struggling during the current cost of living crisis in East Devon are being reminded that support is available. 

Devon County Council andd their partners are offering East Devon help through a number of schemes.

Councillor Roger Croad, DCC’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equality, said: “We know that people are struggling with rising costs of energy and food at a time when a lot of households have seen reductions in their incomes, meaning that some people in Devon are not eating properly or able heat their homes. This research helps us to better understand the extent of the problem locally.

“There are a variety of schemes on offer depending on your circumstances and I would encourage people to visit our cost of  living webpages to find out more and access support where possible.”

Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health, said: “This research gives us a fuller understanding of the extent and experience of food insecurity across Devon and how this has changed since 2021, how fuel and food insecurity interact with each other, and the impact of both on local people and their families.

“It will help us determine what local help and support is needed, and where to target that help to support Devon’s residents during the current cost-of-living crisis.”

Devon County Council is working with local partners, including local councils, the NHS and the voluntary and community sector, on ways to support communities.

These include:

Household Support Fund - This fund is to support households that are struggling to pay for food, energy, water bills and other related essentials; especially those who may not be eligible for other Government support.

Free School Meals and Free school meals holiday voucher scheme - All children up to year two at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. From year 3 onwards, you may continue to qualify. You can check eligibility and apply on our Free School Meals  page. Additionally, families in Devon on low incomes, whose children receive free school meals, also receive school meals holiday vouchers which are funded by the Household Support Fund.  To see if your child is eligible for free school meals, or to apply, please visit our website or call our Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019

Growing Communities Fund - Devon County Council can award grants of £500 - £3,000 to groups or projects that:

Address hardship such as food or fuel insecurity, offering warm safe spaces, something to eat and drink, and a place to work, learn or socialise. 

Building community resilience – e.g., guidance on budgeting, cooking low-cost nutritional meals. 

Locality Budget - An annual budget for each elected member to respond to local community issues, such as but not limited to hardship and poverty, loneliness, and isolation in their Division

Citizens Advice Devon - Devon County Council continues to provide funding to Citizens Advice Devon to provide independent and impartial support and advice.

The Holiday Activity and Food Programme - This programme supports children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

Libraries for Life - Libraries across Devon and Torbay are providing warm welcoming spaces, where people can use the free Wi-Fi and computers if they wish to access any of the available online support. Some libraries also have community fridge projects, that make surplus food from local supermarkets available to all for free. Contact your local library for details.

You can access the Food and Fuel Insecurity Survey on Public Health Devon’s website.