IlonaM

Just have been sifting through the comments on the latest Frances Ryan article in the Guardian: Some useful links: 1) From Fishgirl23 I HOPE THE LINKS BELOW WILL BE HELPFUL FOR SOME: CHARITABLE FUNDS: CHARIS: Can help with gas and electric bills www.charisgrants.com BRITISH GAS: Please see this link for more information, including how to apply: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ THAMES WATER ASSISTANCE FUND (You do not need to be a Thames Water customer you can still get help towards wastewater cost of your bill) http://www.thameswater.co.uk/My-Account/Billing-and-payment/Help-paying-your-bill/Customer-assistance-fund AFFINITY WATER. Help with water arrears for low-income families http://www.thameswater.co.uk/My-Account/Billing-and-payment/Help-paying-your-bill/Watersure-Plus-scheme TURN2US: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ FUEL/ENERGY ADVICE USWITCH: http://www.uswitch.com/ ENERGY HELPLINE: http://www.energyhelpline.com/ COST OF LIVING SUPPORT: Go to your local authority website DEBT ADVICE: STEPCHANGE on 0800 138 1111: www.stepchange.org MONEY HELPER: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/universal-credit/money-manager NUCLEUS on 020 3727 9300 [email protected] REPORT AN ILLEGAL LENDER (LOAN SHARK): 0300 555 2222 www.stoploansharks.co.uk 2) UK Power Network Priority Register - https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services/about-the-priority-services-register 'You can register if you or someone in your household: relies on medical equipment have refrigerated medicines have a serious or chronic illness have a disability is living with dementia are of pensionable age have children under five in your household have mental health difficulties We recognise that people may also need support because of life-changing events such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, job loss, recovery from hospital treatment or living independently for the first time. If you or someone in your household is experiencing any of these circumstances, you can register to receive extra help on a temporary basis.'

https://aplacetocallhome.freedomfromtorture.org/?home_page?utm_campaign=22LG17&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml 'Calling photographers of all ages, nationalities and technical skills to tell us in a picture what home means to you. Home isn’t just a place. It’s a sense and feeling too. Each year millions of people are forced to become refugees losing their homes and everything which is familiar to them. Refugees are forced to make perilous journeys in search of a new place to call home. A selection of entries will be included in our digital gallery. Three winners in each age group, as judged by the eminent photographers Kolbassia Haoussou, Yousif Al Shewaili and Aisha Olamide Seriki, will be displayed at our event in a gallery space in London. Final winners will receive a selection of prizes that are yet to be announced! Deadline for entries - December 12th 2022.' Full details of how to enter online: https://aplacetocallhome.freedomfromtorture.org/?home_page?utm_campaign=22LG17&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml

Il Siciliano deli on Rosendale Rd in West Dulwich will probably have some as well. Not far away. [Also great arancini!].

I found an interesting NASA-inspired Heat Reflective Bed Sheet Underlay on the Coopers website (similar one on Easylife website - both links below) - rather like cat & dog self-heating mats, but for humans and no energy costs!!! They are rather good and I even persuaded a very sceptical mother to take one home after trying it up here!!! - https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/heat-reflective-bed-sheet-underlay/ - https://www.easylife.co.uk/product/insulated-fleece-warmer/27280

UK Energy Support Scheme for grants to improve energy efficiency may be of interest to eligible low-income home owners & private tenants: Direct link: https://ukenergysupport.co.uk/eco4-scheme/ 'The ECO4 scheme is the final part of an ongoing government initiated scheme to support low-income households and to create more energy efficient homes. As of April 2022 it replaced its previous iteration with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of more UK households. UK Energy Support specialises in Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grants, which are provided at no cost to our customers, so that any energy efficiency upgrade for your home will be fully funded by your energy provider. The ECO4 scheme grant system applications open for November 2022.'

If you don't have the special glasses, don't look directly at the sun!! You can either make a pin hole camera or use collander/slatted spoon from kitchen to reflect sun onto a white surface. A couple of ideas from the internet: - https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera - here's a how-to for making a pin-hole camera with things you probably have at home. - 'This one’s my favourite. Instead of making holes you use something with small, well-defined holes already—like a kitchen colander. It will project shadows onto the floor, or on to a wall, which when close to the peak of the eclipse where you are should resemble “crescent Suns.” You can even see them on walls, floors and even on the sides of vehicles.' - https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/25/uk-solar-eclipse-2022-sun-moon 'Massey said another popular method used to view an eclipse is the mirror projection method. He said: “You need a small, flat mirror and a means of placing it in the sun so that it reflects the sunlight into a room where you can view it on a wall or some sort of a flat screen. Advertisement “You may also have eclipse glasses with a certified safety mark, and these are available from specialist astronomy suppliers. Provided these are not damaged in any way, you can then view the sun through them.” Binoculars or telescopes can also be used to project the image of the sun. Massey said: “Mount them on a tripod, and fit one piece of card with a hole in it over the eyepiece, and place another between 50cm and a metre behind it. “Point the telescope or binoculars towards the sun and you should see its bright image on the separate card.” For those keen to follow the event, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will livestream the eclipse on its website and YouTube channel.' - Live stream: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/online/solar-eclipse-october-2022-uk-live-stream

You'll have to invite him for a coffee!!

'Partial solar eclipse set to delight UK skygazers By Nilima Marshall Standard website A partial solar eclipse is set to grace skies across the UK next week as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. On Tuesday morning, skygazers across the country will be able to see nearly a sixth of the Sun being blocked out by the Moon, with those in northern Scotland expected to enjoy good views. Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said the phenomenon will cause the Moon to block the view of “some or all of the bright solar surface”, and the Sun will “appear to have a bite taken out of it”. Observers in western Siberia, Russia, will get the best view of the eclipse, where the Moon will obscure a maximum of 85% of the Sun, Dr Massey added. In London, the eclipse will begin at 10:08am on October 25, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 11.13am, when the Moon will cover close to 15% of the Sun. Lerwick in the Shetland Isles is expected to have a better view, with 28% of the Sun obscured at mid-eclipse. Jake Foster, astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “The eclipse will be visible across the whole of the UK, as well as large parts of Europe and Central and South Asia. “The amount of obscuration you’ll see will depend on where you are on the Earth. “Those viewing from the UK will see between 10% and 20% of the Sun covered by the Moon.” He added: “Even though a portion of the Sun’s light will be blocked, it will not get noticeably darker in the UK during the eclipse.” The partial eclipse will end at 11:51am. Dr Massey said looking directly at the Sun can cause serious damage to the eyes, even when a large fraction of the solar disc is blocked out. It is also not wise not to look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes or a telephoto lens on an SLR camera. He added: “The simplest way to watch an eclipse is to use a pinhole in a piece of card. “An image of the Sun can then be projected on to another piece of card behind it (experiment with the distance between the two, but it will need to be at least 30 cm). “Under no circumstances should you look through the pinhole.” Dr Massey said another popular method used to view an eclipse is the mirror projection method. He said: “You need a small, flat mirror and a means of placing it in the sun so that it reflects the sunlight into a room where you can view it on a wall or some sort of a flat screen. “You may also have eclipse glasses with a certified safety mark, and these are available from specialist astronomy suppliers. “Provided these are not damaged in any way, you can then view the Sun through them.” Binoculars or telescopes can also be used to project the image of the Sun. Dr Massey said: “Mount them on a tripod, and fit one piece of card with a hole in it over the eyepiece, and place another between 50 cm and a metre behind it. “Point the telescope or binoculars towards the Sun and you should see its bright image on the separate card.” For those keen to follow the event, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will live-stream the eclipse on its website and YouTube channel.'

'Send Christmas cards to prisoners overseas Our Christmas Card Scheme is now open for 2022! By sending in handwritten cards for British prisoners overseas you will be helping to provide great comfort to those we are supporting around the world... For British prisoners overseas, Christmas is often a time when hope is furthest away, with the arrival of the festive period being a painful reminder of how removed they are from family and friends. We are currently working with many hundreds of British prisoners who are facing spending Christmas alone in prison overseas, thousands of miles away from their loved ones. Prisoners Abroad’s Christmas Card Scheme helps to reduce the isolation felt by British prisoners around the world at this particularly lonely time. This year’s scheme will be as important as ever because, although prison visits from abroad are now possible again thanks to the loosening of travel restrictions, the rising cost of living may mean that these trips are simply not viable for many of the family members we support.' Direct link: https://www.prisonersabroad.org.uk/send-christmas-cards?utm_source=Prisoners%20Abroad&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13468128_Christmas%20Card%20Scheme%202022&dm_i=IR6,80O2O,2LSXAY,WSQE1,1

Direct link: https://actionstorm.org/petitions/nextpm 'NO NEW PRIME MINISTER WITHOUT A GENERAL ELECTION! We’re hearing reports that a significant number of Conservative Party MPS are ALREADY planning to change their leader and that they intend to do so WITHOUT calling a general election. Some of those MPs are even suggesting that Boris Johnson should be reinstalled in Number 10. Forcing two new Prime Ministers on the country without the mandate that comes with a general election would be an affront to democracy that we simply cannot allow (especially if that were to mean a return to power for disgraced former PM Boris Johnson). We need to make clear to the Conservative Party that this a BIG RED LINE that we will not let them cross. Open Britain believes that any attempt to cross this red line should be met with mass public demonstrations across the country. We believe such action would be justified because this Conservative government is working with a range of opaque think tanks to implement a programme of right wing policies that would never receive a democratic mandate if put to the people in a general election. If you agree, please sign the petition today, encourage as many of your freinds as possible to do the same, and tick the box so we can update you as things develop (things are likely to move fast in the coming days/weeks). Tell us in the comments which of YOUR red lines have already been broken by this government and, importantly, which one made you realise it's time to step up and take action. Thank you! '

Following on from last poster, a google search turned up a LinkedIn page: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chris-essex-hill-858151a - seems to tally with IT

Good news: enough people have donated for six more torture surivors to have full gardening therapy! That’s six people whose lives could be that little bit better. But it’d be great to raise enough for 10 people - that’s just £4,960 more. Can you help by chipping in? Direct link: https://action.freedomfromtorture.org/donate-fund-gardening-therapy-for-survivors?utm_campaign=22EA042&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml&utm_content=nodeadline Thanks for everything you do. Jack Steadman, Head of Digital and Campaigns

I thought this fundraising appeal for the Garden therapy programme of Freedom From Torture might be of interest: 'Torture survivors come along to the safe space of our garden to grow plants together. They get outside, meet new people and talk through trauma with people who really understand. But there’s a huge backlog of torture survivors waiting for gardening therapy due to Covid. I really don’t want to say ‘no’ to anybody, but we need extra donations so everyone can enjoy our garden. A full 20 week gardening therapy programme costs £1,240. Can you chip in whatever you can so no one misses out on this life-changing opportunity? Gardening therapy helps surviors of torture in all different ways. It grows self esteem, teaches new skills and helps people process emotions. And by living in the moment, it can help people stop constantly reliving trauma in flashbacks and nightmares. Every survivor of torture who wants gardening therapy should have it. I don’t want to think about how many people might miss out - unless we can raise the extra funds. None of our work would be possible without people like you. All of us at Freedom from Torture have so much gratitude for anything you can spare in these tight times. Thanks for everything you do. Karen Piper, Horticultural Therapist Direct link: https://action.freedomfromtorture.org/donate-fund-gardening-therapy-for-survivors?utm_campaign=22EA041&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml&utm_content=nocasestudy

Just a contribution following a rather big shock from EDF the other day. With my bill from March to September (reasonable and substantially in credit, which the eejits have refunded) they wanted to put my monthly direct debit up from £100 to £328 on the basis that my current usage for gas costs £237 a month (previously £57) and electricity £91 (previously £34). This is with scant use of gas (1 hr a day heating water, no central heating needed, and using gas hob for cooking). For someone in a one-bed flat (Victorian conversion) they suggested an estimate of over £4,000 usage cost over the coming billing year which was vastly different to my expectation given my day-to-day usage. Fortunately I persuaded them to keep the direct debit at its current level pending more elaboration from Truss. God knows what the gas bill will be when the heating needs to go on - I am disabled and can't manage without it. Scary.

Hi Joe, Yes, Martin Lewis' team has a lot of ideas. They created a 'Heat the human, not the home' guide earlier in the year - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/heat-the-human-not-the-home-save-energy/ - which has recently been updated. There have also been some interesting articles in the Guardian etc. with advice and health warnings which might be useful links to include. I have also been researching low-cost/energy-use cooking ideas and am quite taken by the Wonderbag which is a modern update on haybox cooking - starting a dish off on the hob and then transferring to an insulated bag/box which acts as a slow cooker using no power. There are lots of DIY guides for making one's own, using towels/old duvets etc as the insulation material, but I rather like the social enterprise ethos behind the Wonderbag which is a South African business working with local communities. There are lots of recipes available online as well as adapting slow cooker recipes - stews, soups, etc. but also some baking, so it is quite a versatile method. Best wishes, Ilona

The Forum really came together during the covid crisis and showed how valuable an asset it is to support, advise and cheer each other up during very tough times. I was wondering whether there could be either a dedicated thread or section for pratical ideas and signposting for the cost of living crisis? This would be separate to discussion of cost of living policy/politics etc. I was thinking in particular of both service user-led ideas [including but not limited to recipes, energy-saving, keeping warm, practical ideas etc.] and also links to advice or help suggested in the media/online etc. We have such a wealth of experience on the Forum that I'm sure that there would be useful ideas and advice that could be very constructive and helpful during the coming months.