COUNCIL chiefs in Bolton have been given £2.7m Government funding to help families in need this winter.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) will be used to provide a range of services through the winter months.

It was introduced in October 2021 by the Department for Work and Pensions, and has already been used to support families with children eligible for free school meals over the October half-term and Christmas holidays.

Further support will also be provided to cover February half-term.

Cllr Martyn Cox, leader of Bolton Council, said: “This national funding recognises the vital role local authorities play in supporting the most vulnerable residents.

“It will enable the council to continue to provide much-needed support to low-income households at risk of poverty and financial hardship throughout the winter.”

Household support and additional funding for Bolton’s care and repair service for boilers - are just some of the ways residents struggling financially, will be helped though the funding.

The support is in addition to the existing work carried out by Bolton’s Humanitarian Hub.

It was set up in March 2020 to support the most vulnerable affected by Covid-19, offering vital help to people needing support, including food and essential items such as medication.

Staff from Bolton Council’s customer services department, finance, public health, libraries, and youth and sport sector, are helping to run the service, alongside community volunteers, and partners.

Along with running the helpline, the team make weekly check-in calls to residents and arrange food packages and other essential supplies.

The support helpline has helped thousands of people either directly or by pointing them in the right direction for support.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm (closed Bank Holidays) for anyone needing support.

The team can be contacted 01204 337221.

More information can also be found on the council’s website.