Hello, and welcome to UK Era OT. This is a thread for UK Era to discuss life, how we all hate the tories, and discuss life living in 'things are looking pretty good' UK, and the fact the government is seemingly determined to price us all out of actually existing. The UK Era community is pretty friendly and loves to chat, so drop in and ask anything you like. Let's have an FAQ
Q - My cost of living is skyrocketing, and I can't afford to pay for both massively increased energy bills and food. What can I do?
A - Well first of all just know, a lot of us are in the same boat. The rising costs of energy, housing, food, is a cause of deep concern for a lot of us. You are not alone.
One resource to try and save cash is Martin Lewis's website, Money Saving Expert, linked here Money Saving Expert
Another helpful resource sometimes is HotDealsUK
If your struggling with high train prices, you can apply for a railcard to get your train tickets a little cheaper Here.
If you are in serious debt, citizens advice can help you out a lot. Here is the link for
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
If you are struggling with housing or homelessness, Shelter is a great resource.
If its an issue of struggling to pay for food, then getting a referral to your local food bank can be very helpful. This will vary by where you live, but citizens advice is a good place to start to be issued with a food voucher. If you don't want to talk to citizens advice about it, contacting local charities can also provide you with a food voucher, which will usually give you enough food for a few days at least. This is only one Trust that offers food bank services
The Trussell Trust
Bankuet
In England, people on benefits are able to apply for an interest free budgeting loans, repayments will be taken automatically from your payments Here
In Scotland, it is also possible to apply for a crisis grant to your local council, which is one off payment you won't have to pay back you'll be eligible for if your considered to be a low income. More information is available here Crisis Grant
In Wales, you can apply to the discretionary assistance fund Here
In Northern Ireland, you can apply for discretionary support or a benefits advance , with more information Here
You can also get a £150 council tax rebate to help with your energy bills depending on which council tax you fall into, with more information Here
You can also apply for universal credit. More information is available here Here. You can start to make a claim and create an account to claim Here.
If eligible, you can apply for disability living allowance Here. You can also apply for personal independence payment Here.
Q - I'm a trans person and feel very unsafe in the UK at the moment.
A - Yep, the hostile atmosphere to trans people in the UK right now is awful, and being exploited by the government. There is support available.
Mermaids is a great place to get in touch with.
Transunite is also helpful.
As is Stonewall
Era also has a great trans community Here.
Scotland Era can find help at ScottishTrans Here.
Welsh Era can find some resources Here.
Northern Ireland can find help and resources Here.
You can make your voices known to your local MP regarding defending and talking about trans issues and parliament, find your local MP Here.
Q - My mental health is very poor right now. Can I get help for this?
A - Yes you can. The first thing to do is contact your local GP. They will assess you and your level of crisis. Chances are, you will be placed on a long waiting list for treatment, which I know makes you feel worse much of the time. Other resources available include
NHS Urgent Mental Health support in England Here.
Help for Scotland Era can be found Here.
For Wales, Mind offers some resources Here.
Northern Ireland Era can find resources Here.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999, or go your local accident and emergency. Do not let anyone make you feel as though as you don't deserve to be there, or you are wasting time, cos you are not. You are important, and valuable, and deserve to feel better.
You can also talk to the Samaritans 24/7 on the number 116 123.
You can also Text Shout at anytime for free, on 85258, for a confidential conversation.
You can also obviously talk to Era, anytime you just need a vent or some people to talk to.
Q - Is it a Batch, barm, cob or bap?
A - Well this well vary according to region and person, but the correct answer is bap.
If there's anything to add, or anything I've missed, do let me know.
Q - My cost of living is skyrocketing, and I can't afford to pay for both massively increased energy bills and food. What can I do?
A - Well first of all just know, a lot of us are in the same boat. The rising costs of energy, housing, food, is a cause of deep concern for a lot of us. You are not alone.
One resource to try and save cash is Martin Lewis's website, Money Saving Expert, linked here Money Saving Expert
Another helpful resource sometimes is HotDealsUK
If your struggling with high train prices, you can apply for a railcard to get your train tickets a little cheaper Here.
If you are in serious debt, citizens advice can help you out a lot. Here is the link for
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
If you are struggling with housing or homelessness, Shelter is a great resource.
If its an issue of struggling to pay for food, then getting a referral to your local food bank can be very helpful. This will vary by where you live, but citizens advice is a good place to start to be issued with a food voucher. If you don't want to talk to citizens advice about it, contacting local charities can also provide you with a food voucher, which will usually give you enough food for a few days at least. This is only one Trust that offers food bank services
The Trussell Trust
Bankuet
In England, people on benefits are able to apply for an interest free budgeting loans, repayments will be taken automatically from your payments Here
In Scotland, it is also possible to apply for a crisis grant to your local council, which is one off payment you won't have to pay back you'll be eligible for if your considered to be a low income. More information is available here Crisis Grant
In Wales, you can apply to the discretionary assistance fund Here
In Northern Ireland, you can apply for discretionary support or a benefits advance , with more information Here
You can also get a £150 council tax rebate to help with your energy bills depending on which council tax you fall into, with more information Here
You can also apply for universal credit. More information is available here Here. You can start to make a claim and create an account to claim Here.
If eligible, you can apply for disability living allowance Here. You can also apply for personal independence payment Here.
Q - I'm a trans person and feel very unsafe in the UK at the moment.
A - Yep, the hostile atmosphere to trans people in the UK right now is awful, and being exploited by the government. There is support available.
Mermaids is a great place to get in touch with.
Transunite is also helpful.
As is Stonewall
Era also has a great trans community Here.
Scotland Era can find help at ScottishTrans Here.
Welsh Era can find some resources Here.
Northern Ireland can find help and resources Here.
You can make your voices known to your local MP regarding defending and talking about trans issues and parliament, find your local MP Here.
Q - My mental health is very poor right now. Can I get help for this?
A - Yes you can. The first thing to do is contact your local GP. They will assess you and your level of crisis. Chances are, you will be placed on a long waiting list for treatment, which I know makes you feel worse much of the time. Other resources available include
NHS Urgent Mental Health support in England Here.
Help for Scotland Era can be found Here.
For Wales, Mind offers some resources Here.
Northern Ireland Era can find resources Here.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999, or go your local accident and emergency. Do not let anyone make you feel as though as you don't deserve to be there, or you are wasting time, cos you are not. You are important, and valuable, and deserve to feel better.
You can also talk to the Samaritans 24/7 on the number 116 123.
You can also Text Shout at anytime for free, on 85258, for a confidential conversation.
You can also obviously talk to Era, anytime you just need a vent or some people to talk to.
Q - Is it a Batch, barm, cob or bap?
A - Well this well vary according to region and person, but the correct answer is bap.
If there's anything to add, or anything I've missed, do let me know.
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