Citizens Advice holds roadshow in Penzance to tackle the cost of living crisis
The event will offer support for paying energy bills, rising rents and food prices
Last updated 6th May 2022
A Citizens Advice Money Roadshow to help local families with cost of living concerns is being held in Cornwall.
The Penzance event follows one which took place in Newquay last month, and officials will be on hand to offer tips on budgeting, support for paying energy bills, rising rents and food prices.
Citizens Advice Cornwall Financial Capability Trainer, Sarah Laidler, said: "We’ll be offering free and independent advice and information to help people with their money problems, including energy bills, debt, rent and benefits.
"We know people’s finances are under more strain than ever before, causing real stress and hardship, with many have to make the hard choice between heating and eating.
"We can help by looking at people’s household budgets, seeing if savings can be made and if grants and benefits might be available.
"Our energy team can also look at ways people can save money through energy efficiency around the home and access help and support for vulnerable people and budgeting".
Figures show Citizens Advice helped 264 people in Penzance in the six months between April and September last year, one of the highest figures in Cornwall.
Spokesman Wailim Wong said: "We have a bit of a double whammy in Cornwall because as everyone knows we have as everyone knows, pretty low wages, lots of people dependant on seasonal jobs or care work but we also have high house prices and also high rental prices.
"We know people are facing real problems at the moment and these problems seem to be mounting and mounting. There is help and advice out there, there are things you can do and there are ways of dealing with debt".
Citizens Advice Cornwall Chief Executive, Gill Pipkin, added: "We expect the number of people seeking our help with money problems to increase substantially in the Penzance area in the next year, so I hope people will take this opportunity to find out what assistance might be available from our expert team".
The Penzance roadshow is being held at the Family Hub on Friday 6th May between 10am and 4pm.
It is open to everyone, with funding from Cornwall Community Foundation.
Information about the support offered by Citizens Advice can be found on its website.
To get in touch for help with cost of living concerns, you can also call 0800 144 8848 or text ADVICE to 78866.