Cost of Living Support
The role the third sector is playing
About the Cost of Living Support
The cost of living is having a major impact on our communities, on third sector organisations and on the sector’s partners in the public and private sectors.
Although many third sector organisations are under pressure, they continue to play a crucial role in supporting communities through this difficult time.
- Frontline organisations are continuing to offer the tailored services that enable people to tackle the challenges they face
- Third sector organisations across Leeds are helping to distribute the Household Support Fund
The Together Leeds portal, produced by Leeds City Council, features information available to support individuals and communities.
MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. They can help you find information about support in the city and different ways to take care of your mental wellbeing. MindWell also have a variety of resources covering the cost of living support in Leeds.
MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. They can help you find information about support in the city and different ways to take care of your mental wellbeing. MindWell also have a variety of resources covering the cost of living support in Leeds.
Welcome Spaces
- Many organisations across Leeds are offering Welcome Spaces this winter (23/24). Find out more about Welcome Spaces.
- Voluntary Action Leeds has worked with Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and third sector partners to produce some guidance for organisations opening as a Warm Space.
1. The role of third sector infrastructure
Infrastructure organisations like VAL and Forum Central that support and advocate for the third sector are playing our role to shape the city’s response and ensure that the third sector’s distinctive contribution is part of our city’s response.
Third Sector Leeds (the policy network for the third sector in Leeds) set out its view about how we need to respond to the crisis.
Voluntary Action Leeds and Forum Central are active members of task and finish groups that are focusing on cost of living support, alongside statutory partners. These groups are looking at practical support, information, advice and guidance, communications and funding.
We’ll keep you up to date with the work of these groups through this page, our newsletters and our social media.
Third Sector Leeds (the policy network for the third sector in Leeds) set out its view about how we need to respond to the crisis.
Voluntary Action Leeds and Forum Central are active members of task and finish groups that are focusing on cost of living support, alongside statutory partners. These groups are looking at practical support, information, advice and guidance, communications and funding.
We’ll keep you up to date with the work of these groups through this page, our newsletters and our social media.
Advice and support for third sector organisations
We know third sector organisations and their staff and volunteers face cost of living pressures.
We also know that many third sector organisations are keen to signpost community members towards the best advice. We’re committed to sharing key information and learning from our local and national partners.
Leeds already has lots of information available to support communities which you can find at the Together Leeds portal, produced by Leeds City Council.
We also know that many third sector organisations are keen to signpost community members towards the best advice. We’re committed to sharing key information and learning from our local and national partners.
Leeds already has lots of information available to support communities which you can find at the Together Leeds portal, produced by Leeds City Council.
I want to help
- Volunteering within your community can be a great way to help out during the cost of living crisis. Find your local Welcome Spaces venues to contact them directly to see if they are looking to recruit volunteers.
- You can also use our volunteering platform to search for volunteering roles to offer support specifically related to the cost of living crisis.
- If you would like to donate food, board games, or other items to a Welcome Space, please contact welcome.spaces@leeds.gov.uk
2. Warm Spaces – guidance for host organisations
The Warm Spaces map initially shows the Leeds City Council-managed venues of community hubs and libraries, where a warm welcome will include free hot refreshments and activities for children and families in addition to the existing services of free access to books, computers and WIFI.
The third sector’s Warm Spaces will add to this offer in a complementary way, expanding the range of spaces that people in Leeds can access.
Thank you for offering to open your doors to people in your community.
The third sector’s Warm Spaces will add to this offer in a complementary way, expanding the range of spaces that people in Leeds can access.
Thank you for offering to open your doors to people in your community.
3. Support for organisations
Providing organisations with information and guidance about supporting their communities with the cost of living, as well as linking to other local resources available in the city.
- Energy Bill Relief Scheme The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (including the third sector) whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices. This support will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households.
- Relief from Business Rates Registered charities which use premises for charitable purposes are generally entitled to 80% relief from business rates. If you do not receive 80% relief as a registered charity, you may still be entitled to 50% off your business rates bill if you are one of the following:
- any business focused on delivering social or civic value
- a social enterprise
- a young business of up to 3 years
NVCO have produced a range of resources supporting third sector organisations with the cost of living crisis, including managing rising energy costs and developing your reserves policy.
Voluntary Action Leeds can provide a wide range of support to third sector organisations, including help finding volunteers, safeguarding training, governance support and funding advice. Please contact info@val.org.uk for more information.
Voluntary Action Leeds can provide a wide range of support to third sector organisations, including help finding volunteers, safeguarding training, governance support and funding advice. Please contact info@val.org.uk for more information.
Support for Staff and Volunteers
- West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership have put together a package of support that is available to staff and volunteers working in the third sector.
- Locality have put together a checklist of resources to help you support your staff and tackle HR issues related to the cost-of-living crisis
- NCVO have produced a guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your staff and volunteers
Support for Volunteer Managers
If you are a volunteer manager and would like to offer your volunteers support during the cost of living crisis you may find the following information useful:
Top tips – Supporting Volunteers During the Cost of Living Crisis
Top tips – Supporting Volunteers During the Cost of Living Crisis
Toolkits, Tips and Best Practices for Volunteer Managers
Network members with support from the Volunteer Centre Leeds team create and share a range of useful guides and resources to shape best practice in the city.
One of the key resources we have is the Volunteer Handbook which many organisations have adopted for use in their volunteer induction. It’s freely available to download along with many more toolkits and resources you can use.
One of the key resources we have is the Volunteer Handbook which many organisations have adopted for use in their volunteer induction. It’s freely available to download along with many more toolkits and resources you can use.
Signposting and guidance for communities
Led by Leeds City Council, colleagues from across the third and public sector have worked together to produce this handy resource bank of practical signposting information. This resource will continue to be updated over the coming months.
Understanding the challenge
- Runnymede Trust have released a report (written by Daniel Edmiston, University of Leeds, in collaboration with Shabna Begum and Mandeer Kataria) showing that Black and minority ethnic people are disproportionately falling faster and further below the poverty line amidst the cost of living crisis.
- Citizens Advice hold monthly online briefings, sharing our data insights on how far the government’s support package is going towards supporting people ahead of winter, with specific consideration of marginalised groups and those on lower incomes. View last month’s data (which you can filter down to a Leeds level)
- Deep Poverty: The Cost of Not Living (2022) is a recent report on research carried out with third sector organisations, listening to people’s experiences on living on a very low income across Leeds.
4. Energy Bill Relief Scheme
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (including the third sector) whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices.
5. Support for individuals
Useful resources which you might find helpful during the cost of living crisis.
- Leeds already has lots of information available to support communities which you can find at Together Leeds
- Groundwork’s Green Doctor service can help you to save money, energy and stay warm and well
- Leeds Food Aid Network have online maps showing the nearest places to access emergency food or low-cost food and meals.
- Turn2Us Benefit Calculator is a great free resource to check you are not missing out any benefits you are entitled to.
- A number of organisations working across Leeds have produced a ‘Worrying about Money?’ leaflet with Leeds Food Aid Network, which are co-designed as straightforward resources both for people facing money worries and support workers.
- Money Buddies are here to help you save money, increase your income and advise you at times of financial crisis. They have a wide range of legal debt advice and financial capability solutions that could ease or remove money-related difficulties.
- We also encourage neighbourliness during challenging times – check out our guide Being a Good Neighbour
- Many complications come with winter, such as the weather, loneliness, and financial strain. Winter Friends focuses on helping people and communities in Leeds during these most challenging months of the year.
Resources to help you save money and save the planet
- Climate Action Leeds Energy Saving Handbook gives advice on how to save energy and money, as well as what help is available to cover costs.
- Leeds Action to Create Homes (LATCH) have created a guide to DIY low carbon building improvements for Leeds Victorian terrace homes.
- Buy Nowt LS6 have produced a guide to help people DIY retrofit insulation in their homes, to make them more energy-efficient. You can borrow a wide range of tools from their Library of Things
- Zero Carbon Yorkshire have recorded a webinar with energy saving tips to help you save money in your home this winter.
- South Leeds Conserving Resources Associating People group is a place for people to share things they no longer want.
- Leeds School Uniform Exchange makes it easy to share and swap good quality, second-hand school uniforms.
Find out lots more about Climate Action Leeds, and how you can get involved.
Culturally specific services
We know that culturally diverse communities are more likely to face cost of living challenges than the general population. Leeds Culturally Diverse Hub is working with a range of partners to understand what culturally specific support is available. As we increase our understanding of the new services that are being developed, we will update this site and through our other media channels.
6. Together Leeds
Find free, confidential and tailored support and information at Together Leeds portal, produced by Leeds City Council.