Cost of living: Chorley church offering free haircuts, newspapers, hot meals and debt advice

The church is just one of many across the county offering help as food and energy prices make it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. It offers a series of services that church leaders hope will bring short- and long-term support to those struggling.

And from Tuesday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., hot meals and drinks are offered to anyone living alone and in need of help. The church will also give people a free haircut; a lending library and book exchange; a free clothes rail; free newspapers; weekly speakers; debt advice; arts and crafts and blanket crumpling/building sessions.

St Laurence’s also has a Christian Debt Center for Poverty, a Debt Center Manager and a team of Friends available to support people in the Chorley area struggling with the burden of the debt. Their expert advice and support is free, confidential, and available not just to people who attend church, but to anyone in the community. The helpline number for people who want to make an appointment and start working on their debt problem is 0800 328 0006. They also offer a drop-in service on Wednesdays between 1pm and 2pm inside St. Lawrence Church.

Parish priest Fr Neil Kelley said: “Winter is always a difficult time for those on a fixed income or little money to spend, and this year it will be even more difficult as people struggle to make ends meet and pay for essentials. . We hope to offer people a safe and warm space to spend time, with volunteers to offer the hand of friendship. We hope that by providing food, friendship and a warm environment, it will help people struggle a little less than they otherwise would. The Church of England has always held to the proud tradition of being a church for its whole parish, not just its congregational members and we hope that anyone who may be struggling locally can come to us for support. and friendship.