Glasgow residents who need emergency free food and help with energy supply, heating and other problems can now contact a new council service as the cost of living crisis hits families.
Glasgow Helps has been assisting people to access food and source a £49 fuel top-up through third sector organisation Heat among other issues.
The service, which was initially set up during the pandemic, connects people with the support they need in the city. Staff are on hand to offer confidential advice, support and information.
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It is the first of its kind with Glasgow City Council running it in partnership with the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS).
Development manager James McCourt said: “It is fair to say overwhelmingly the issues we are presented with is food and fuel.”
Praising the 28 strong Glasgow Helps team, he said: “They bend over backwards to support people.”
Families aren’t initially vetted to see if they qualify for aid but are simply given rapid help if needed when they phone up or submit an online form. Staff can then work with them to find out what underlying issues people have to help them deal with issues. The team support families to navigate support that already exists in the city.
Mr McCourt said: “There is an amazing body of work taking place already. Our roll is to get people to them (different services). There are lots of different reasons why people call in. It is about us working with them to find out what they need. We say to them: ‘tell us what you need.’ We will work to get the solution.
“It is also about trying to support people before they reach a crisis.”
The council wants to spread the word about the service.
Glasgow Helps operational lead Elizabeth McKechnie said people from other parts of the country have asked if there are similar organisations in their areas.
Ms McKechnie said: “As far as I’m aware we are the only ones doing this. We are growing and getting busier.”
People can also get assistance to access financial information and advice and link up with local organisations along with other services from the team.
Between May 9 and August 1, Glasgow Help has had 5,564 contacts with people, which has led to 1,195 direct referrals being made to specific services. That includes, 278 referrals for support with food and 430 for fuel support.
Since October 2020, Glasgow Helps has undertaken over 78,500 conversations with citizens. GCVS said:“Participating in the development of Glasgow Helps has been a very rewarding experience. Since its beginnings as an emergency support directory during the pandemic, the service now offers an array of support and advice for Glasgow citizens.
“There has been a lot of work done to understand what people need and what services our brilliant third sector organisations offer. We are delighted that we are now able to provide a more refined, helpful, and accessible experience.
“GCVS will continue to work with the city's voluntary sector to make sure Glasgow Helps provides the information and services people are looking for.”
Glasgow City Council leader Councillor Susan Aitken said: “With Glasgow Helps we want to support people to connect with the right assistance, in the right place and at the right time.
“There are not many things that we can say that are positives from the pandemic but this support mechanism for our citizens is one.
“I have been heartened to hear from the team on the help, guidance and advice that they are providing daily to people you would otherwise not reach out for support or know where to start.
“This is really a very simple concept but with a big impact. The stories of help during the pandemic were amazing and they all resulted in overcoming barriers to help. This is now what we want to emulate and with our partners, signpost to the other agencies and find solutions – sometimes before a person even knows they require assistance – and work with citizens to design their support package.
“This is going to be even more important as we navigate through the difficult winter and year ahead with pressures on finances, fuel and food poverty.”
To get in touch with Glasgow Helps, call 0141 276 1185 or complete an online referral form at www.glasgow.gov.uk/glasgowhelps. More information is available at: www.glasgowhelps.org
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