Get Involved

Check out the Government’s Cost of Living webpage to find out what support is available

Close your curtains at dusk, the temperature can drop significantly once the sun goes down

Make the most of your local charity shop or council re-use shops; you can find some great bargains, help a charity and the planet!

Plan your meals to help you only buy what you need. Love Food Hate Waste reports that the average household will waste £60 worth of food each month

If you are employed by One YMCA, take full advantage of your SimplyHealth myWellbeing plan benefits, contact HR with any queries

Turning your thermostat down at home by just one degree could save you around £80 a year according to uSwitch. Consider lowing heating at work where you can – this could make a difference to our charity and the number of people we can help

Save water by turning the tap off whilst you brush your teeth; a running tap uses up to nine litres of water a minute

Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for lots of recipes, freezer tips and more to help you make the most of your weekly shop

Clothes swaps are a great way to find a new outfit without the expense. Search online for local events or hold your own with family and friends

Batch cook – make the most of your oven by batch cooking and reheating in the microwave

Going Green

Have a shower rather than a bath; a five minute shower uses about half the water and energy of a typical bath

Check out https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ – Lots of money saving tips including special deals and vouchers

Make the most of supermarket loyalty schemes – many now have apps that give extra points/discounts or give details of deals

Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. The Energy Saving Trust estimates households could save around £40 a year by turning off appliances on standby. Are there appliances that could be unplugged, or lights turned off in your place of work?

Use Incognito Mode or Private Browsing when online, this deletes your browsing history and means companies won’t know what you have been looking at and raise their prices. Search online for how to turn this on for your device

Affinity Water customers can claim free water saving devices, there are also lots of water saving tips on their website

If the amount you travel by car has reduced, you may be able to get a better deal on your car insurance

Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need before boiling

Track your spending – the more aware you are of what you are spending the less likely you are to overspend

Make the most of resale platforms to sell the items you no longer use

Keep out draughts around doors with draught excluders and curtains

Only use washing machines when they are full and wash lightly soiled clothing at 30 degrees

Make sure food has cooled before refrigerating/freezing or energy will be wasted bringing the temperature of the appliance back down

Turn radiators off in rooms you don’t use – when replacing radiators, get ones with a thermostat attached. Sticking radiator foil behind radiators can also help by reflecting heat back into rooms

Reduce the amount you spend at Christmas and add that personal touch by making gifts and decorations