How can we help?
On this page, you will find the following resources which may be helpful for you, or your friends, relatives and neighbours in this time of pressure:
Cost of living – helpful information leaflet
A leaflet from our Church and Society Commission highlights sources of help and support for households responding to the cost–of–living crisis.
This is available in versions for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and guides readers to where they can seek help when they are experiencing problems with debt and personal finances, energy and household costs, and buying food.
Parishes are welcome to download and print the leaflet, which gives room for including local information and words of encouragement and compassion, either on a space provided for this purpose or as an insert.
Please visit this page for downloadable copies of the leaflet and all related resources.
Inside Out Outside In – 101+ ideas for churches to engage with community
A short collection of ideas to help churches think about different ways to engage with the community. These are grouped into the following themes: Outreach; Community; Welcome; Fellowship; Children & Youth; Families; Senior Citizens; Schools; Poverty; and Communication. The booklet can be downloaded in full, including an encouraging introduction sharing how your local church can bring hope in your community, or in separate files covering each section.
Please click here to read, download and/or share this booklet as you think best.
Practical Action on the Cost of Living
A short booklet with suggestions (see below) for how parishes, and other ministries and similar organisations in their local communities, can help to serve people in need at this time. The booklet summarises a discussion in October 2022, in which representatives from dioceses shared stories about how their parishes are proactively responding as the cost of living crisis continues. Several examples were put forward about what more can be done, along with ideas for the best overall approaches for responding locally.
Please click here to read, download and/or share this booklet as you think best.
Helplines and websites listing
You will also find links below to helplines and websites which may be helpful for you, or your friends, relatives and neighbours:
Helplines if you need urgent assistance
Price comparison websites and guides
Price comparison websites and guides
For householders in Northern Ireland
For householders in the Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Parents are encouraged to get in touch with the Education Authority through the helplines for:
Republic of Ireland
Advice on the following issues is provided at these links:
If you urgently need help, the following key helplines may be useful:
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Charities
State agencies
A full list of social welfare helplines is available at www.gov.ie/dspphonenumbers