Latest news with #FairerRenfrewshire
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire councillors urged to guard against complacency over food insecurity amid inflation rise
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron said she and her peers shouldn't "get used to this" as she labelled it unacceptable. Renfrewshire councillors have been urged to guard against complacency over food insecurity as UK food inflation increased to an annual high this month. SNP depute council leader Jacqueline Cameron said she and her peers shouldn't "get used to this" as she labelled the situation unacceptable at a meeting on Wednesday. She issued the warning as the topic was discussed at the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee – a task force which focuses support for those affected by poverty and the cost-of-living crisis. It came as UK food prices rose 2.8 per cent in the year to May. Councillor Cameron, chair of the sub-committee and representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, said: "There was a time when food banks didn't exist and now we seem to be quite used to the fact that food banks exist and the cost-of-living crisis is continuing and continuing. "It was just a reminder to myself really that we can't be complacent about this because it's still there and people are still struggling but we see the stats. "It's just a note to self to say, don't get used to this and don't think that this situation is acceptable because it's not, no matter how long it's ongoing." Councillor Cameron issued the plea after Councillor Graeme Clark, vice chair of the sub-committee and Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, raised the subject at the meeting. He said: "UK food inflation rose for the fourth consecutive month to a one-year high in May and I just wondered if there are any additional measures which we could take to reduce food insecurity across Renfrewshire and help those who are providing food help at this time? It seems to be a priority because of the way in which things are going." Annabelle Walter, the council's connected communities manager, pointed to the work of Fair Food Renfrewshire – a partnership of organisations working together to ensure access to good food for all – as she responded. She said: "I think there's always more that can be done around food insecurity. We are working on a number of things as a priority within the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, which I think will help to contribute to that picture. "We continue to have these really strong working relationships with our partners that provide food support in the broader sense but particularly ... as part of that sub-group from the Fair Food partnership around partners providing emergency food provision. "I think it might be beneficial to understand where they are in terms of identifying some of the priorities across those partners and perhaps we could look at bringing something back to this sub-committee around what's emerging from that group and some of those partnerships, as well as some of the priorities that we're bringing forward in terms of breakfast club work and other food provision across the programme and council services."
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Thousands of people benefit from third year of Winter Connections programme in Renfrewshire
The warm spaces initiative ran from roughly November until March. More than 2,500 people have benefitted from the third year of the Winter Connections programme in Renfrewshire, it has been estimated. The warm spaces initiative – a network of sessions that allows people to enjoy the company of others in a welcoming environment – ran from roughly November until March. Backed by £75,000 in council funding, it facilitates grants of up to £2,000 for groups and organisations so they can provide free activities which are inclusive and offer warm drinks and food in the colder months. An evaluation of the scheme for 2024/25 has been completed and will be considered by the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee at its meeting on Wednesday. It said: "The Winter Connections programme has been running during the winter months since November 2022. "The programme has been delivered in partnership with local organisations and aims to encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. "Local community and voluntary organisations can apply for small grants of up to £2,000 to support with the additional costs of making venues, activities and sessions open as part of the programme. "Items eligible for funding include equipment, food, energy costs, and rent. The programme has been evaluated each year and has positively contributed to Renfrewshire Council's continued wider response to the cost-of-living crisis. "As a result, in June 2024, £75,000 of funding was allocated from the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to support the delivery of a third year of Winter Connections for 2024/25. "The programme continues to attract new organisations bidding for funding, with this year's programme being delivered by a mix of organisation that have received funding before and those new to Winter Connections." Some of the key findings included the social aspect of bringing people together managing to create a sense of belonging and supportive environment, which was particularly important for people who felt isolated. The activities provided opportunities to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, learn new skills and boost confidence. The programme enables organisations to engage with new people, raising awareness of their venues and services and signposting to other services across Renfrewshire. The provision of hot drinks in libraries encouraged visitors to stay longer and connect with others and library staff, while the offer of free food at venues meant the initiative could support families experiencing financial hardship. It became apparent the scheme continues to act as an "important element" of the local authority's response to the cost-of-living crisis. A total of £75,000 in funding has already been set aside to support the delivery of a fourth year of Winter Connections.
