The cost-of-living crisis is still impacting many residents across the borough, and the school holidays can add extra financial pressure, with the cost of food and childcare adding to already stretched household budgets.
If you are a Stockport resident, there is lots of support available to help with the cost-of-living this summer. The cost-of-living hub is a useful online support service, which rounds up all of the support available.
Other support available includes:
• The Resident Advice and Support team has been created specifically to help signpost residents to support with the cost-of-living. From support accessing benefit advice to help applying for national schemes, the team is on-hand to help with lots of concerns around the current economic situation. They can be reached on 0161 474 2140. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm.
• The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme is returning for the summer holidays, offering families in receipt of income-based free school meals access to funded spaces at holiday clubs. There are lots of opportunities all across Stockport for children in reception to year 11, and they will also receive a free nutritious lunchtime meal while at the holiday club. Families that are eligible for HAF will receive a voucher code via email to access the HAF booking system, this will be sent to all on 1 July 2025. From this date families will be able to book their children’s spaces at HAF holiday clubs. Find out more about the HAF programme.
• Family support vouchers will be distributed to eligible families via email and letter this summer. The vouchers will be worth £75 per child and will be sent out from 14 July 2025. Eligible families include those in receipt of income-based free school meals at a Stockport school, and those in receipt of local council tax support. Read more here.
• Our libraries service can help any residents struggling with the cost-of-living. Library staff can signpost to Citizens Advice to help anyone get an appointment. Libraries are also a great free space to spend time, and there are lots of community events taking place – more details can be found on the council events calendar.
• There is lots of mental health support available in Stockport for anyone who might be struggling this summer. A great place to start is the Healthy Stockport website which rounds up the local support services available, as well as tips on the ‘5 Ways to Feel Good’.
• Working with Stockport Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has put in place qualified installers for our area to deliver whole house energy efficiency improvements funded by the Energy Company Obligation Local Authority Flexible Eligibility Scheme. Find out if you’re eligible here. If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, don’t worry. Visit the Your Home Better website for help making home improvements to save energy costs.
• If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill please check the Council’s website where you can find details of the different support available to help you to pay. Find out more.
• Why not clear out school uniform your children have grown out of and give it a new life with Reloved? Clean, pre-loved uniform can be dropped off at any library in Stockport. Find out more.
• Merseyway’s pop up uniform shop is returning this summer and will be accepting donations from Monday 21 July until Sunday 3 August. The Pop Up Shop is open from Friday 8 August until Friday 15 August.
• Families can access information, help and support for all in one place at our Family Hubs. One Stockport Family Hubs are networks of support that bring together existing services and offers in local neighbourhoods to provide a 'one-stop-shop' of accessible information, help, and support – full details on Family Hubs and what help is available can be found here.
Councillor Jilly Julian, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said:
“I know that the current economic situation can be worrying for all Stockport residents, but the council wants to help as much as it can. Even if you’ve never claimed before, I’d encourage everyone to check the council’s cost-of-living webpages to find out if you are eligible for the support schemes available”.
“There is also specific support available for families this summer, to help everyone to make ends meet over the school holiday period.”