Almost £396,000 invested in cost-of-living support has helped residents across the Braintree district access food, essential items, financial advice and health and wellbeing support during 2025/26.
This is part of Braintree District Council’s investment of over £1.4 million in the cost-of-living programme since 2023.
The council's latest Cost of Living annual report, presented to Full Council on Monday 26 October 2026, shows that £395,897 was invested across 22 projects in 2025/26, delivered in partnership with local voluntary, community and public sector organisations.
The programme's financial interventions generated an estimated £559,196 financial impact for residents, including increased benefit entitlements, debt relief, grants, discounts, concessions, budgeting support and other interventions that improved resident’s financial circumstances.
The programme has focused on helping residents with immediate pressures while also providing earlier, preventative support to help people build greater financial resilience and reduce the risk of reaching crisis point.
Projects supported through the programme so far include:
- Braintree Area Foodbank supported 1,684 residents through the Cost-of-Living Fund, made 761 emergency food deliveries, delivered 526 targeted interventions and provided 433 Food & More parcels.
- First Stop Community Fridge recorded more than 15,000 visits and reached communities across the district including rural areas.
- Community supermarkets in White Colne and Sible Hedingham supported 103 households and distributed 5,466 items, helping members save a combined £1,171.
- Baby Stuff Braintree distributed 418 bags of mixed clothing as well as prams, cots and newborn kits to families in need.
- Trusted Money Confidence, whose programme helped participants improve their money confidence and generated an estimated £14,700 in annual financial gains.
- Braintree Museum's holiday activity and food provision, which supported 1,030 children, provided more than 1,000 meals and enabled 1,273 free museum entries.
- The programme also distributed 600 electric blankets during the year, bringing the total distributed since the cost-of-living programme began to 1,700.
Looking ahead, the council has committed a further £400,000 over the next two years, in addition to its original £1 million investment, to continue supporting residents and communities across the district.
Councillor Charley Dervish, Cabinet Member for Communities at Braintree District Council, said: “These figures show the real difference that working with our local voluntary and community organisations can make. This support isn't just about helping someone through an immediate crisis – it’s also about helping people become more financially resilient and giving them the support they need before problems escalate.
“We know that household costs continue to be a concern for many people, and no one should feel they have to struggle alone. Support is available across the district, from help with food, housing and energy costs to benefits, debt and employment advice.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our partners have achieved and we will continue to work together to target support where it is needed most.”
Grants of up to £5,000 are now available to organisations delivering projects that support residents experiencing financial hardship and cost of living pressures. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and the scheme will remain open until all available funding has been allocated. Information on criteria and how to apply can be found on the council’s website.
Residents can find advice and information about cost-of-living support on the cost of living webpage.