FREE adult learning sessions aimed at helping people to tackle the cost of living crisis are being held at libraries and community centres across the city.
The ‘Let’s Get Resourceful’ sessions are being held as part of Leicester City Council’s Warm Welcome, where buildings are being used as ‘warm banks’ for people to visit so they don’t have to put on their heating at home. As well as sharing practical skills, the sessions are a chance for people to meet and socialise together.
All the sessions are free, informal and open to everyone. Topics covered include:
- Sew to save – Gain basic sewing skills to make draught excluders as well as small repairs to clothes so that they last for longer. A small sewing kit will be provided for you to take home.
- Shop, cook and eat smart – Get ideas on methods to consider when buying and cooking food for the family on a budget. Learn how to shop effectively on a budget, find healthy, low-cost recipe ideas, work out the running costs of domestic appliances and identify the most cost-efficient methods of cooking.
- Let’s get active – Take part in variety of low-level physical activity sessions to get moving and active with others, such as low-impact aerobics, circuits and Pilates. The classes are suitable for all levels of fitness.
All of the sessions are delivered by specialists from the city council’s Active Leicester and Leicester Adult Education services. You don’t need previous knowledge and all materials are provided. Refreshments will be provided at the break and there’s the chance to chat with other participants about further ways to reduce the cost of living.
To attend a free session, register your interest in person at your local library, community centre or the Adult Education College - or you can give them a ring. A full list of all forthcoming sessions can be found at leicester.gov.uk/together.
Assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods and public health, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “We don’t want anyone to feel cold or alone during this awful cost of living and energy crisis. It’s a situation likely to particularly hit the most vulnerable members of our society, and we are determined to help.
“We will offer a Warm Welcome to everyone in the heart of our neighbourhoods, bringing together specialists from across the council to offer expert advice and help, so that people can not only get warm but also learn new skills and find out more about the support that is available to them.”
Leicester City Council’s libraries offer a range of services to help with the cost of living, including free access to computers, wifi and scanning, as well as ‘at cost’ printing; job-seeking help from DWP work coaches; free Toddler Time sessions and study support for schoolchildren; activity tables with free games and puzzles to bring local people together; and access to BetterOff Leicester, the city council’s free online calculator, so that people can check they are getting all the help they are entitled to.
Get more help and advice on the cost of living at www.leicester.gov.uk/costofliving
Find out more about our libraries at: www.leicester.gov.uk/libraries
Anyone who is facing crisis because of rising fuel and living costs can email the council at c19support@leicester.gov.uk, setting out their needs and contact details.
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