Over the last 18 months, Freebridge Community Housing has provided more than £11k in extra support to help customers struggling to pay bills such as energy and food.

Since November 2020 – when Freebridge introduced a fund to assist customers during the pandemic – the west Norfolk housing association has helped out 264 families with food parcels and vouchers, fuel, phone top-ups and more.

The fund has proved so vital that it has since evolved into the Tenancy Support Fund as Freebridge commits to continue to provide financial assistance in the face of rising costs.

Director of Customer & Communities Sophie Bates said: "Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and this was never truer than during the pandemic.

“Since we introduced this additional support in 2020, we've managed to help over 250 families, and plan to continue to offer this much needed assistance.

“As the cost of living rises, we are here to help our customers, so if you do require support, please get in touch".

This support is also offered in the form of a partnership with Agility Eco’s ‘Connect for Help’ service, a free telephone advice service that helps residents to stay warm and well in their homes.

Customers who may be struggling to access affordable energy in their homes will be able to get advice or could be referred for energy saving improvements. Any customer wishing to access the service can do so by getting in touch with Freebridge.

Sophie Bates said: “We know that rising costs, and particularly increasing energy bills, are a real concern for people right now and we are keen to help where we can.

"Through our new Connect for Help service, our customers will be able to get the advice that they need if they are having trouble paying their energy bills, or are worried about keeping their home warm.

“Through both Connect for Help and our Tenancy Support Fund we are working to help our customers at a time which continues to be challenging for so many people.”

You can call Freebridge on 03332 404 444 or email [email protected] if you are a Freebridge customer who would like to access additional support.