December update in the Edgeley Post

As this will be my final article in the Edgeley Post before Christmas, I’d like to wish everyone reading a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

The joys of the Christmas season include spending time with loved ones, connecting with our community, and indulging in delicious food. There have been some wonderful community events to celebrate the festive season in Stockport this year. For many people, however, this period can be challenging.  

The cost of living crisis is continuing to make the winter months incredibly difficult for many people. Unfortunately, the Government has not tackled sky-high energy bills and inflation, and I believe that more support must be provided to prevent people from falling into hardship. Many people are struggling to keep themselves and their families warm – especially with the additional costs of Christmas dinner and gifts to contend with. 

 I am proud to support Human Appeal’s award-winning Wrap Up campaign, which collects and distributes warm winter clothing to those in need. I visited their donation point in Stockport to learn more about their campaign and lend a helping hand. I thank all volunteers for their brilliant work helping people in our community to keep warm – a task which is more vital now than ever.  

I would like to highlight Stockport Council’s Warm Spaces initiative, which was relaunched on 1st November at Edgeley Park. The warm spaces will be available in every ward in Stockport and remain open until the end of February to provide a place of warmth for residents, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, hot food, drinks and information and advice about accessing further support. For a full list of warm spaces in Stockport, head to Stockport Council’s website. 

Stockport Credit Union, a local member-owned financial co-operative, can help members save for Christmas and winter energy bills. They also offer other financial services, support and advice, as advised on their website. 

Nobody deserves to go cold this winter. Whilst I am glad that there are local services in place to offer some assistance, it is vital that we address the wider forces that are making the very basics of life – such as keeping warm in winter – increasingly unaffordable for many. 

As ever, if you live or work in Stockport constituency, please do not hesitate to contact me at navendu.mishra.mp@parliament.uk or 0161 480 0833.