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Working together to beat
rising prices
No one can have
failed to feel the impact of rising food and
fuel prices especially those with young
children or living on a low fixed income.
Listed below are some ways of working with
others to make your money go further, make
new friends and reduce your environmental
footprint.
Cut food bills and get healthy
If you have access to a balcony,
garden or allotment try growing your own
vegetables and fruit. Get together with
family and neighbours and share the cost of
buying seed packets and remember to save and
dry seeds from vegetables to grow next years
crop. Contact you local authority about
access to a allotment, if there are none
available in your area and you can gather at
least 9 other people interested in renting
one you can petition them to provide more.
There is a national campaign doing just this
for more information visit
www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari If you are
part of a community group or interested in
setting one up check out the local food
grant information on the
funding page.
For two very useful free guides to growing
organic vegetables and setting up a food
growing group visit the women’s
environmental network web site
www.wen.org.uk/local_food/resources.htm
or contact Jo Harris, Telephone 01392 252566
and she will send you them.
For help with setting up community groups
contact your local DCHA Community
Development Worker who will be happy to
offer advice.
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Try to eat at least five
portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
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If someone in the household
smokes encourage them to stop or at least
not smoke in the home, as passive smoking is
particularly harmful to children and the
elderly. Free access to advice, support and
nicotine patches are available from your
family doctor and health centre.
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Walk instead of using the car
for short journeys this will save money,
reduce your C02 emissions and help you keep
fit.
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If you have primary aged
children talk to staff and other parents
about starting a ‘walking bus’ to school.
This is a great way for parents and children
to make friends, get some exercise and get
to school safely.
Safe routes to school or
Walking Bus
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Buy local and seasonal
vegetables better still grow them in pots on
your balcony or in your garden. They are
likely to taste much better, be free of
nasty pesticides and if you can involve your
children or grandchildren, the whole
experience becomes educational and fun.
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Volunteer to help out for a
local environmental charity, clearing
woodland, making wildlife ponds and helping
at green events. People who keep active and
volunteer benefit from higher levels of well
being.
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Avoid using chemical air
fresheners, open the windows or use a
natural substitute like potpourri instead.
Check out the
World Wildlife Funds leaflet Chemicals and
Health in the Home or
The Women’s Institute campaign to reduce
the use of harmful chemicals in the home.
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Carpets house millions of
dust mites a major irritant for asthma
sufferers’ wood, ceramic or cork floors are
easier to keep dust free. If you have asthma
don’t forget to go for an annual asthma
check up at your local doctors or health
centre -
National Asthma UK
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Go for a walk, it’s a great
family activity and for those on your own
and not expert walkers check if your have a
‘walking
for health’ project in your area. This
project offers free guided group walks for
all abilities, levels of fitness and ages.
