New three‑year Crisis and Resilience Fund to strengthen support for residents

Tameside residents will soon benefit from a stronger, more stable system of support as the council launches its new three‑year Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Innovative projects including Community Groceries, food skills workshops and Green Doctors will be on offer to help residents, as well as support to secure the best energy deals and manage fuel debt.

Tameside Council's long‑term funding commitment has been developed to help households build resilience for the future. The new approach ensures that residents can rely on consistent, well‑planned support that reflects the needs of communities.

The fund replaces previous cost‑of‑living‑focused schemes and introduces a clearer, more sustainable model that both provides a safety net for those on low incomes who experience a financial shock and invests in long‑term financial resilience across Tameside. This means help is available when residents need it most, while also supporting people to feel more secure and confident in managing future challenges.

Under new national guidance, councils are no longer permitted to provide blanket free school meal holiday vouchers. To support families through this transition, the council have continued to provide vouchers for May half‑term and for summer 2026. Alongside this, a wider range of family‑focused support options are being expanded to ensure children and young people continue to receive help in ways that promote dignity, choice, and long‑term wellbeing.

A major new feature of the fund is the development of Community Groceries across Tameside, beginning with the first site in Hattersley. Community Groceries bridge the gap between food banks and supermarkets, offering affordable weekly shops from just £5 per visit, with savings of up to £20 per shop. They provide a dignified, supermarket‑style experience with a wide choice of fresh, frozen, and store cupboard items, supported by volunteers and a dedicated manager. On signing up, members are also offered wider support linked to resilience services. All children currently receiving free school meals will automatically become members.

These groceries will operate alongside existing provision, including 12 foodbank centres, three food pantries, and The Bread and Butter Thing, which visits six areas weekly. Details of current provision can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/foodbanks.

Food clubs and food pantries will continue to play a key role in tackling food insecurity, reducing food waste, and providing a sustainable, everyday way to access affordable food. Together, these services will complement and strengthen the Community Groceries offer.

The Tameside Community Food Skills Project will offer cooking sessions, including through family hubs, helping residents build confidence in preparing healthy, affordable meals.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme will continue to provide healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places during school holidays for children eligible for benefits‑related free school meals.

Libraries across Tameside will deliver a programme of events aimed at improving financial resilience. These will include make‑do‑and‑mend and DIY workshops, financial literacy sessions, and events promoting awareness of social tariffs, credit unions, and other support services. These sessions will empower residents with practical skills to save money and manage household budgets more confidently.

The Tameside in Work programme will continue to help residents avoid unemployment, increase household income, and move into better paid or more suitable roles, supporting long‑term financial stability and reducing the risk of future crisis.

Through the Green Doctor service, Groundwork will support 250 residents with impartial energy and water advice, including switching tariffs, managing fuel debt, identifying heat loss or damp issues, and registering for the Priority Services Register. Free energy‑saving measures such as LED bulbs and radiator foils will also be provided. Groundwork will deliver 25 community awareness sessions to complement other resilience‑focused services.

Tameside Council Executive Leader, Councillor Eleanor Wills said: “I’m delighted that we can offer practical support and choice that genuinely strengthens households across Tameside. By moving away from short‑term, reactive schemes and investing in long‑term stability, we’re ensuring that people can access help when they need it most while also building the confidence and resilience to face future challenges.

“It’s about creating a fairer, more secure Tameside where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. This is in addition to the recent removal of the two child limit under Universal Credit nationally, which is expected to ease pressures for many households. Further national changes planned for September 2026, including the expansion of free school meals to all Universal Credit claimants, should also provide additional support to low income families.”

The Crisis and Resilience Fund represents a major step forward in how Tameside supports its residents. By combining immediate crisis help with long term investment in resilience, the fund ensures that individuals and families feel supported, confident, and prepared for the future.