Richmond Council has allocated £4.5 million to supporting residents with rising costs to ensure everyone in the borough can keep warm and eat well. 

Through its support calculator and targeted letter campaigns, the council has helped residents identify all the support they are entitled to, totalling almost £1.4 million in additional unclaimed benefits.

Last winter, it provided a record level of fuel grant support, totalling £225,000 which is an increase of over £78,000 compared to the previous year.

Richmond Council's annual Fuel Grant Scheme is available to households in the borough who are struggling to pay their annual fuel bills.

A total of 1,326 households in Richmond upon Thames were granted £170 each which will be deducted from their energy bills via their utility company.

Applications for this year's scheme have now closed, and payments will be made directly to energy providers in the week commencing 10 February 2025.

The council is also stepping in to support low-income pensioners who are no longer eligible for the government's winter fuel payment.

It is offering £100 to all pensioners who receive a Council Tax Reduction but are not eligible for Pension Credit and is also running a targeted campaign to make sure all pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are claiming it.

Pension Credit could be worth on average £3,900 per year for those who are over the State Pension Age (66+ years).

Richmond Council has funded a total of 2,075 warm home packs which could save each household up to £200 per year.

To be eligible to receive a pack, your household income must not exceed £40,000, and your property must have an EPC rating of D or below. Each pack contains LED light bulbs, radiator foil and draught-excluding tape that can be used for doors and windows.

Eligible residents can pick up a warm home pack from the reception at the Civic Centre in Twickenham.

Residents can access a variety of food support services from Richmond Food Bank, which operates across seven sites in the borough and requires a food voucher, to Food for Thought Heathfield's surplus food stall and the pay-as-you-feel surplus cafés operated by the Real Junk Food Project.

There are also local cooking classes provided by Cooking Up and free or low-cost community lunches. You can find full details on the Richmond's Food Partnership Network's leaflet.

In addition, the council has supported 4,630 children with food vouchers during school holidays.

Last October, it launched its 'Money Hubs' outreach service with a financial advice and support roadshow at Whitton Community Centre.

Last October, richmond Council launched its 'Money Hubs' outreach service with a Money Advice Roadshow at Whitton Community Centre (Credit: Richmond Council)

Learning from this event is being used to plan future roadshows and trials of different approaches to reaching vulnerable people who will benefit from additional support.

Richmond Council is continuing to work with its partners across the borough to provide residents with a network of Community Spaces.

These are safe, friendly spaces to engage with others and in some cases share a drink or even a meal.

You can find your nearest Community Space by visiting the council's Cost of Living Directory. 

Visit the Richmond Cost of Living Hub to find out what support is available locally. 

You can also sign up to receive cost of living support updates straight to your inbox.