The cost of living crises is impacting on all of our communities but in Highland poverty is not new; food poverty, fuel poverty, poverty is poverty and people who we support in our communities are struggling and many will not ask for help.

Our role in the community whether community development worker, support worker or volunteer is to identify and assist those who are struggling and connect them to the right places for support. Those conversations can be difficult, knowing about energy and support systems is a large undertaking when the community sector is already at capacity.

The aim therefore of the Highland Cost of Living Support Directory and associated Cost of Living Support Training for volunteers and those working to support communities throughout Highland is to enable us to have these conversations, learn more about the background behind the cost of living crises, energy efficiency and the support mechanisms that are in place. The Directory pulls all of the relevant information into an easy to use mobile friendly resource which can be used while out and about while the training will equip you to support those in our communities with confidence.

The Highland Cost of Living Support Directory is delivered by Thurso Community Development Trust and the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub funded with grateful thanks to SSE Renewables.