Pendle Community Resilience Conference held to support people experiencing financial hardship

 

The event was held at The Muni Theatre in Colne on Wednesday, and brought together representatives from a range of community organisations, including those projects funded by Pendle Borough Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, so they could each learn and understand what is being provided across the borough.

The Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty, Graham Whitman, was the guest speaker. He spoke about his role in influencing the Government’s policy around the Crisis and Resilience Fund and how support should be delivered.

The Leader of Pendle Borough Council, Councillor Asjad Mahmood, also spoke, along with Gill Dickson, the Council’s Policy and Partnerships Manager, who talked about how the Crisis and Resilience programme is being delivered in Pendle.

Pendle Borough Council has been given Government funding through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to help residents in crisis and in need of immediate help.

As well as financial help, the fund can also connect those in need to the right local advice and support services to help build financial resilience and prevent further crisis. 

Pendle Borough Council has funded several community organisations and providers to help with this. Citizens Advice East Lancashire help with the crisis support and local community providers, such as Newground and Colne Open Door Centre, provide the resilience services.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We have been given this pot of money to manage and make sure we can help Pendle residents in need or who find themselves in a critical, financial situation.

“We also have support from the local providers who can offer vital assistance, and it was great to see so many of those representatives at the conference, talking to each other and discussing how they could work together to provide the best solutions to those desperately in need.”

Sarah Astin-Wood, Head of Policy and Partnerships at Pendle Borough Council, added: “Our partners on this project can help Pendle residents make the most of their money by checking they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to; offering employment and training advice and supporting them with budgeting and money management. 

“There is also funding available for anyone facing financial difficulties because of a sudden crisis. The Crisis Payment Scheme can help with such things as an accident or health emergency, a relationship breakdown or unexpected loss of income.”  

For more information, visit www.pendle.gov.uk/crfund or Community Support Hub | Pendle Borough Council