Cost of Living Help

As the cost of living continues to affect households, we have put together some useful information to help residents gain access to the help and support available.

Government website

The Government's cost of living support webpages outline what support is available to help with the cost of living. It includes information on the following types of support:

income
if you're disabled
bills
childcare costs
housing costs
travel costs
small businesses

There is also an online tool to check what benefits and financial support you can get.

You can also see what cost of living support you could be eligible for on the Government's Help for Households website, which includes information about a Cost of Living Payment.

Dorset Council

Dorset Council has a dedicated cost of living help webpage, which includes information on:

money and benefits
access to food
warm spaces
housing
support for children
support for older people
mental health and wellbeing
energy, water, phone and broadband
employment
managing debt

Citizens' Advice

Bridport and District Citizens' Advice provide free, confidential, independent advice on a wide range of topics including benefits, debt, housing, and employment.

They can be contacted on 0800 144 8848 or advice@bridport-cab.org.uk.

There is also an outreach service in Lyme Regis every Wednesday, from 10am to 3pm at the council offices.

Lyme Regis Foodbank

Lyme Regis Foodbank provides emergency food and support to local people in crisis. It is open every Wednesday between 10am and midday at Office 2, Unit 5, Lyme Regis Business Park, Uplyme Road.

Information about how to get help from or get a referral to the foodbank is available on the website.

The foodbank relies on the generosity of the community and information about how to donate food, money or volunteer is also available on the website.

Seaside Store

The Seaside Store gives people access to fresh and nutritious food at an affordable price, as well as combating food waste. The store runs every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am at The Hub, Church Street.

You can join the Seaside Store as a member for free and then start shopping. Families of up to three members can have 10 items for £3.50 and families of four upwards can have 15 items for £5. Items include store cupboard staples, chilled and freezer items. In addition to the 10 or 15 items and for no extra charge, members can top up their shop with fresh eggs, bread, fruit and vegetables.

For more information contact Lisa or Mary on 07835 799469.

Warm Cafe

A Warm Cafe is running at the Old School House Community Cafe, The Hub, Church Street every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Anyone can drop in and stay in the warm with a free tea, coffee and biscuits, comfortable seats and free wi-fi.

The Warm Cafe will run from November into March.

Find out more about the Old School House Community Cafe

Talking Cafe

The Talking Cafe runs at Hallett Court, Queens Walk, every Wednesday from 10am. The hours will be extended this winter as another space for people to have a tea, coffee and biscuit in the warm. There is also a raffle every week.

For more information, contact Cheryl Reynolds on 07796 074849 or drop into the cafe on a Wednesday morning.

Cuppa and Company

Lyme Regis Library aims to provide a warm welcome to all those who visit the library throughout the week. Adding to this, they are offering a free hot drink (or squash) with a biscuit every Monday from 2pm to 4pm in the library, as part of Dorset Libraries ‘Cuppa and Company’.

People are welcome to pop in for a drink, have a chat, read the paper, use the free wifi, and meet new people. This is open to everyone.

Lyme Regis Community Support

Lyme Regis Community Support is an organisation providing practical and emotional support to residents, such as helping with shopping, picking up prescriptions, social support such as a friendly phone call or going out for a walk, and signposting to other organisations.

For more information, contact Cheryl Reynolds on 07796 074849.

Lyme Regis Community Garden

The community garden in the Langmoor Gardens provides fresh fruit and vegetables to the community for free, as well as supplying Lyme Regis Foodbank. Vegetables can be delivered to residents on request.