Cost of living: Free course shows how to live on low income

It comes as the Government offers one-off payments to people on low incomes, and as an increasing number of businesses go to the wall.

The rising cost of energy bills, groceries and more has forced some to have to choose between food or heat.

Many are struggling with the rising cost of living (Image: NQ)

Members of the course will learn practical money-saving techniques including cooking on a budget, living healthily for less and making their money go further.

The eight-week course will be hosted by Malvern Baptist Church in association with CAP (Christians Against Poverty).

It has been developed to complement CAP’s respected debt counselling service and will be run by a friendly group who plan to give clients the confidence and decision-making skills to live on less.

READ MORE: Cost of living: Which? list of price rises at supermarkets

“It’s all about discovering new ways to live for a brighter future,” said organiser Dave Clarke, minister at the Baptist Church.

“Each course member will receive informal support from one of our Life Skills coaches.”

Dave will be running the course together with Derek Davison. It begins on Wednesday, February 15 and runs from 1pm to 2.30pm for eight subsequent weeks.

To sign up for course ring Dave on 07838833317 or visit capuk.org/get-help/cap-life-skills# and enter your postcode.

You can also email Dave at daveclarke@caplifeskills.org

The course is free of charge and will be held at Lower Hall, Malvern Baptist Church, Abbey Road WR14 3HG.

We reported earlier this week that The Old Chestnut Tree Inn, at Lower Moor, near Pershore, was closing because the cost of running the pub had become too much.

Landlord Adrian McArthur said bills had gone from hundreds of pounds to thousands and has reached the point when “enough is enough”.

Some households struggling with the cost of living have been offered payments through the Government’s Household Support Fund.

And it has been confirmed that teachers will strike in February in a dispute over pay. They follow nurses, ambulance staff, railway workers and postal workers in taking industrial action in the past few months.