Susan Downing from the People Participation (PP) team discusses her work as Cost of Living Lead within the Trust.

What is your role?

I provide practical advice, tips, hacks and strategies to help people reduce how much they spend on household bills and other everyday living costs. I put this content together and make it accessible through articles, newsletters, ELFT website, intranet, presentations, webinars and events.

Who do you help?

This support is for people employed by or receiving support from ELFT. I also help local communities in the ELFT boroughs where I focus on supporting residents who are connected with local services including community mental health, carer groups, Age UK, employment support, people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Why is support needed?

Financial stress adds more pressure to people already coping with mental, physical or emotional difficulties and struggling with household costs can lead to the onset of stress related health issues. The aim of my Cost of Living role is to reduce impact on health caused by household budget stress especially in the face of spiralling costs.

Why is it important to you?

I bring lived experience to this role and know what it is like to not have enough money to live on and bring a wealth of cost saving tips and hacks I have used to make my money go further without compromising on my health and wellbeing.
This role provides opportunity for me to share my knowledge with others and to support people in similar situations.

What difference does the support make?

Making simple changes, utilising the wide range of easy and practical ways to cut costs that I suggest, can add up to a substantial and sustainable reduction in the cost of household bills and essentials.

What moments stand out for you from the work?

Winning Project of the Year for Cost of Living at the People Participation Awards in 2023 was an incredibly proud moment. This role has marked my return to work and so I felt incredibly appreciated. Having this project recognised in this way also demonstrated to me how much the Trust values the difference this project is making.

Circulating news of a free broadband contract offer on the day it was launched in Tower Hamlets. I promptly received a thank you email from someone who had read my tip, signed up and saved themselves 12 months of broadband bills. That moment has stuck with me because the feedback demonstrated the effectiveness my work can have.

What are your hopes for the next year?

I hope to continue building connections with local councils and community services, find ways to reach more groups, and develop Cost of Living Support on the ELFT website to include more borough-specific resources.