We’re here for you this winter

As the colder months set in and the cost of living continues to impact households across our communities, we know winter can be a particularly tough time. That’s why we’re stepping up our support once again to make sure no one has to face it alone.

From financial help and warm spaces, to mental health support and advice on keeping your home healthy, we’ve got a wide range of services available, and we’re urging anyone who’s struggling to reach out.

Our Winter Warmer project is back at The Arc in Scunthorpe and The Viking Centre in Barton upon Humber. These hubs offer free hot drinks, a friendly place to keep warm, and a chance to meet others—helping you save on energy costs while staying connected. We also provide free weekly hot meals and snacks at both centres, along with foodbank vouchers for those in need.

We’ve teamed up with organisations like Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire to offer tailored financial guidance, including help with benefits, debt advice and accessing grants. This service helped hundreds of people gain over £1.5million in extra income between Oct 24 – Sept 25.

There are also energy vouchers, council tax reductions, and discretionary housing payments available depending on where you live. Our team is here to help you navigate these options and make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to. 

Housing Perks, an app that gives access to exclusive discounts and cashback on essentials like groceries, fuel, clothing, and home furnishings at retailers including Sainsburys, Asda, B&M, Argos, Primark, TK Maxx and more is available. So far over 2,000 tenants have signed up, saving over £11,600.

Our free, confidential mental health service continues to support hundreds of people across Scunthorpe and beyond. Whether you’re feeling isolated, anxious or overwhelmed, our team is here to listen and help you take steps toward feeling better.

If you’re looking to boost your confidence, gain new skills or find work, our Skills and Personal Development team is here to help. With free training courses, CV writing, interview prep, job search support and access to digital devices.

We also know that damp, mould and condensation are more common in winter. That’s why we’re offering practical advice and support to help you keep your home safe and healthy. From tips on reducing moisture to repairs and inspections, we take every report seriously and aim to resolve issues quickly.

If something goes wrong, our 24-hour emergency repair service is available to keep you safe. We prioritise issues like heating loss, leaks and unsafe structures, especially during the colder months.

Kevin Hornsby, Director of Customer Services at Ongo said: “We know this time of year can be incredibly tough for many, with the cost of living continuing to rise, colder weather setting in, Christmas just around the corner and all of life’s other pressures.

“That’s why our colleagues are going above and beyond to offer support, whether it’s a hot meal, a warm space, vouchers and grants, mental health support and more. We genuinely care, and we want people to know we’re here for them.”

So if you’re struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. Whether it’s budgeting advice, mental health support or just pointing you in the right direction, we’re here for you.