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Support for managing family finances

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The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a three-year national programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered locally by Gloucestershire County Council. It provides support for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial crisis, such as difficulty affording food, fuel, essential household items, emergency living costs or housing-related costs. This article tells you more about the Fund, including how you can apply. Plus, as we move into autumn, we hear from the Severn Wye Energy Agency about the free advice they can provide to help you with managing your energy costs.
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What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)?

The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the previous Household Support Fund. It can support children, young people and families and can help with:

  • Food, fuel, heating oil and essential living costs where a family is experiencing sudden financial hardship; 
  • Support with essential household items such as white goods, beds or furniture where this is critical for safe family living; 
  • Signposting and referral to wider advice and support, including debt advice, benefits checks, budgeting support and energy advice;
  • Support for families during school holiday periods, including awareness of local food support where Free School Meal vouchers are not available during half term; and
  • Opportunities to connect families to trusted local services through schools, Family Hubs, Youth Hubs, children and family centres, district partners and VCSE organisations.

Some families may be finding it harder to manage essential costs such as food, fuel, school uniform or household items. Gloucestershire’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) can provide support where families are experiencing sudden financial hardship and can also connect people to wider advice and local services. Families can find out more and apply through the Gloucestershire Family Hubs website.

How schools can help

Schools and education settings are often among the first to notice when families are under pressure. Requests for support with food, school uniform, transport, energy costs or other essentials can indicate wider financial hardship. By raising awareness of the CRF, schools can help families access support earlier, reduce stigma around asking for help, and connect parents and carers to practical support before issues escalate. 

Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and uniform swaps: Schools and PTAs can help families reduce costs by promoting pre-loved uniform schemes, uniform swap events and donation points. CRF communications can sit alongside these initiatives, so families know where to go if they need wider financial support.

School newsletters and parent/carer communications: Schools can include short, supportive messages about CRF and half-term food support in newsletters, websites, parent apps and social media channels.

Family Hub and Youth Hub links: Schools can signpost families to local Family Hubs, Youth Hubs and the Virtual Family Hub as trusted sources of information, advice and local support.

Community outreach: Partners can explore drop-in sessions, information stalls or advice sessions at schools, children and family centres, community venues and local events.

Trusted referral routes: Staff working directly with children, young people and families can help identify when families may benefit from support and encourage them to apply or seek advice early.

For any further questions or to contact the team, please email:  crisissupport@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Help with your energy bills - free and friendly support from Severn Wye Energy Agency

At Severn Wye Energy Agency  we know that families supporting a child or young person with SEND often have a lot on their plate so, if bills, suppliers, or keeping your home warm this winter feel overwhelming, please reach out. We are a charity offering free, practical advice to help you manage your energy costs.

What we can do for you

We can send a friendly, DBS-checked adviser to visit you at home, at a time that works for you. We'll take the time to understand your family's situation and give advice tailored to you.

Our advisers can help:

  • Reduce and manage energy debt.
  • Cut down on energy use.
  • Save money on fuel bills.
  • Check if you're eligible for grants.
  • Speak to your energy supplier on your behalf.

During our visit, we can also provide free items to help keep your home warm and your bills lower, including LED bulbs, radiator foil, and draught-proofing.

Whatever your circumstances, wherever you live, our advice is built around you and your family.

How to get in touch

Call our free advice line: 0800 500 3076, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, or find out more at: www.severnwye.org.uk/advice-support

You don't need to have a crisis to get in touch, we are happy to help with small questions too!

You can find out more about support with managing finances on the Money and Financial Support pages on Support for Families with SEND - Gloucestershire's Local Offer for Parent Carers. .

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