'Community needs to look out for each other' – advice for Caithness residents struggling through cost-of-living crisis

A project officer for Caithness Voluntary Group (CVG) gives advice for local people struggling to make ends meet due to the current fuel and food poverty crisis.

Bryan Dods, who joined CVG last year and will be working with Caithness Poverty Action Group, says that residents in the Caithness area "need to look out for each other".

Bryan said: "With the festive season just a dim memory, the snowdrops poking their wee heads out, we can start thinking of warmer days ahead. But it’s February in the north; there’s a lot of darkness and frost to go before we get the lawnmower and sunscreen out.

"We are in a crisis. And we’re nowhere near the end of it. Energy costs and food prices rise daily, companies face closure, jobs disappear. We need to be looking after ourselves, and out for each other."

Bryan's top tips:

• Wrap up, get out in the fresh air, catch as much daylight as you can. Exercise, even just swinging your arms around for a while, makes you feel better.
• If you feel low, go somewhere that can use your energy – meeting people and doing constructive things lifts your spirits while you lift those of others.
• Don’t spend too long with a screen. Use devices positively, contact buddies and arrange to meet up or have a Zoom chat.
• Eat and drink – When trying to save pennies it’s easy to miss meals, feel worse and make yourself vulnerable to illness. Food is available through food banks, sharing sheds and community groups, reach out and take it.
• Make an effort – even when you just can’t be bothered, get up and do something. Set wee targets every day and reward yourself when you hit them. Make plans for the better weather, plot your garden, keep looking ahead and don’t give up.

He added: "It’s easy to say ‘Stamp about a bit, you’ll be fine’ but breakdowns and suicides can happen at any time. If your mental state is concerning you, contact your GP practice or the NHS right away. If you’re having money problems speak to someone, don’t suffer in silence. Citizen’s Advice are there to assist. Banks have helplines for those in financial strife. Don’t let wee problems pile up and become huge, deal with them right away."

Bryan says if you are worried about fuel bills, contact the CAB or your supplier direct. Energy companies have budget accounts, trust funds and short-term assistance to help those struggling. Customers with hypothermia "is not a good look for any company" and they will avoid cutting your energy off provided you contact them.

"Local churches and halls, social groups and statutory bodies are watching out, ready to assist. Use the facilities – sharing sheds, food banks, soup clubs, social groups and warm hubs are there to help everyone, that includes you. Drop by, help out, grab a brew, biscuit and a warm while you’re there.

"Even if you’re not worrying about surviving the winter, what about your elderly neighbour? The family over the road with three kids? That young couple just starting out? Why not make contact just to see they’re okay? Maybe your friendly face, tub of soup or kind words will help a poor lonely soul to survive till summer finally comes."

Caithness Foodbanks are in Thurso and Wick. Sharing Sheds, Warm Hubs and activities are in Halkirk, Scotscalder, Dunbeath, Pulteney Centre in Wick, Ormlie Centre, Thurso West, St Peter’s Kirks, Wick Baptist Church, Thurso Youth Club, Reay, Sinclair’s Bay and other locations. Check HERE for Caithness on Facebook.

Contact nhsinform.scot or phone 111 for any health issues. Caithness Voluntary Group's Facebook page has information as well.

Citizen’s Advice Scotland – citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/ or phone 0800 028 1456

Highland Council health and social care emergency contact – 0808 175 3646

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