COOKER PLAN TO HELP WITH COST OF LIVING
Friday 23rd September 2022
A group of Councillors in Thetford have come up with a creative way to help residents with the rising cost of living.
Throughout September, members of Thetford Labour Team which includes Labour Councillors and members in Thetford, have been raising funds with the intention of purchasing 50 slow cookers. Then, throughout October, these slow cookers will be distributed to local families through referrals from support organisations including Thetford Foodbank and Citizens Advice.
Slow cookers are a recognised way of cooking which uses far less gas and electricity than an oven. It is estimated that using an electric cooker costs 87p per day compared to just 16p for using the slow cooker. Over the course of a year, that adds up to £316.54 for the electric cooker and £59.76 for the slow cooker.
Councillor Stuart Terry, Labour Councillor for Thetford Boudica Ward; “As a local Councillor, I have seen an increase in our casework with a greater number of people needing help and support. It was heartening that we also had a number of people asking how they could help others, so we have developed the slow cooker challenge to support a minimum of 50 families this Autumn”.
So far, the group is already halfway to its total with more than £600 in cash donations received and 15 slow cookers also donated. It is hoped that the full 50 can be confirmed by the end of the month and distribution will begin in October. In September, Breckland Labour Councillors tabled a motion calling on the Council to produce a fuel poverty action plan, recognising significant numbers of Breckland residents are already in fuel poverty, a figure that is likely to increase. That motion was not adopted by the Conservative Council leading to frustration amongst Labour members.
Councillor Chris Harvey, Labour Councillor for Thetford Burrell Ward added; “Fuel poverty is already an issue locally and it’s going to get worse. We are really grateful to the Charles Burrell Centre who will be providing some training sessions on how people can make full use of their slow cooker. In addition to each piece of kit, we’re also going to provide a slow cooker cook book as well”.
For more information about the campaign, contact Thetford Labour Team on 07742157967. To make a donation, go to; https://www.gofundme.com/f/thetford-slow-cooker-challenge
Photo attached: Members of Thetford Labour Team (L to R) – Councillor Terry Jermy, Councillor Terry Land, Councillor Stuart Terry, Councillor Susan Dowling and member David Blackbourn
