Cost of living information event held in Strabane

A COST of living event held in Tyrone at the weekend could be the first of regular such occasions, as the current crisis continues to deepen.

Hosted by the Alley Theatre in Strabane, the information and advice event featured a number of stalls from host of community, public and voluntary organisations. Sure Start, St Vincent de Paul, the Housing Executive, Easilink, Advice NI, Strabane Community Project, Strabane Ethnic Community Association – these were just some of the groups on hand to advise people on any additional support which they may be entitled to, including pension credits, working tax credits, tax-free childcare, or benefit entitlements.

Organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council in conjunction with the Department for Communities, attendees were also able to access advice and information advice on how to cut costs over the summer months with children, food waste and every-day household bills.

Outlining the aim of the event, skills officer at council, Eileen McGrinder, explained, “Myself and Mary Donaghey from DfC, both from Strabane, thought that something like this would be good, getting everybody together under one roof to help people.

“People are struggling at the moment, particularly people who are working, with mortgages and everything else. What this is all about is to trying and help people, the people of the town – and so it’s great that we were able to make it happen.”

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Patricia Logue also paid tribute to organisers.

“I think this is an excellent initiative by council and DfC, bringing all the organisations together in one place, where people can come and get to know of the help that is out there. Unfortunately, a lot of messages of help aren’t reaching some people. We have great organisations here today that are able to explain to people that there is help there… it’s absolutely great.”

She added, “For me, I would maybe like to see something like a weekend event where people who are working can attend.”

Strabane man, Jim Devlin from the local branch of St Vincent de Paul said that whilst such information and advice events are useful, the cost of living is pushing many families to the wall.

“I’ve been here (with St Vincent de Paul) for 17 years, and since the start of the pandemic, it has never been as bad – in terms of people being in need,” he admitted.

“The need at the moment is unbelievable. Over the past four months we have provided £2,897 for breakfasts in one of the local schools.

“From January until July, there were 83 requests for help to the value of £10,250. The year before, for the same period, was £21,700. That’s local people ringing the helpline because they’re stuck. It’s a massive amount of money.

“Last year, we had something in the region of £55,000 allocated in the Strabane region alone.”

Following on from Friday’s event in Strabane, a second cost of living event will take place at the Guildhall in Derry tomorrow (Tuesday) from 12noon until 4pm.