A COUNCIL-backed initiative which has helped thousands of vulnerable households across Argyll and Bute is set to be redesigned and expanded as existing funding comes to an end.
The Flexible Food and Fuel Fund, (FFFF), has been providing financial assistance and welfare rights support to families facing food and fuel insecurity since January 2021. The scheme combines crisis payments with practical advice on income maximisation, debt support and tackling fuel poverty.
Since its launch, more than 4,000 households have received support, with income gains of over £6 million secured through welfare rights and related interventions. Families with children, single-adult households and disabled people have been among those who have benefited most.
However, revenue funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which has supported parts of the programme in recent years, will end in March. There will be no replacement allocation for Argyll and Bute from UK Government funds for at least the next three financial years.
In response, councillors have approved plans for a redesigned model called Connected for Good, aimed at strengthening prevention and early intervention work while expanding access to support.
The new approach will place greater emphasis on helping households before they reach crisis point, increasing face-to-face outreach and improving referral pathways. It will also support practical measures to ease financial pressure, including recycled school clothing schemes, provision of period products for young people, and essential items such as wellington boots and waterproofs to help children take part in outdoor learning.
The council has agreed to provide time-limited support from existing resources to maintain core services while longer-term funding is sought. An application to the Big Lottery Fund is being prepared to help fund the expanded programme, with initial discussions said to be positive and aligned with the fund’s priorities.
Councillor Ross Moreland, policy lead for finance and commercial services and Dunoon ward councillor said: “The Flexible Food and Fuel Fund has delivered significant benefits to households across Argyll and Bute and remains a key part of the council’s approach to preventing financial hardship, by building on what works and focusing more on early help and prevention, Connected for Good will enable us to support more families before problems reach crisis point, while working with partners to secure sustainable funding for the future.”
