Today we launch Your Money Matters - our campaign to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living.

This year has seen a whole host of household price increases - from the energy price cap rise to surging inflation and food prices - costing your family hundreds or even thousands of pounds extra per year.

Here at The Northern Echo, we’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost of living crisis is having on our readers like you.

Many people are facing tougher and tougher choices as the cost of living crisis continues to unfold in the UK.

However, people do not have to face these tough choices alone and there is a wide range of charities and support groups available for people to use.

Citizens Advice is a great service to use initially, however, if you do not want to or can not use Citizens Advice then the following charities might help.

Darlington:

• The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a national charity that provides help from budget and debt advice and homelessness to fundraising, as well as help with employment. The Darlington Salvation Army is open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday and is closed on weekends.

• Foundation

Foundation provides help for people struggling to manage a tenancy, find a job and tackle addiction. They are open from 9am to 5pm except on weekends and can be called on 01325 289410

• First Stop Darlington:

First Stop helps people experiencing a range of issues and support people and can refer people to a specialist if required. They can be found on Houndgate in Darlington and can be called on 01325 254463

• Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington

Age UK offers advice and support to people aged 50 and over, as well as activities and events. The Darlington branch can be called on 01325 362832.

• Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. They are open Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm and can be called on: 0800 043 40 50.

• Darlington Credit Union, MoneySmart

They provide “vulnerable people and those who wish to learn about finance and safe conduct around it with a friendly voice and a calming influence to help guide them through this overwhelming situation”

Teesside:

• The Teesside Charity

The Teesside Charity offers help to people living on Teesside and can help businesses and individuals. The charity can be contacted via their website here: teessidecharity.org.uk/contact/

• The Junction

This charity provides support for children, young people and families on Teesside, it provides a range of holistic support to the meet the needs of children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. You can call the charity on 01642 75600

• Actes

Actes provides life coaching, financial confidence, education, training and employment and environmental inclusion. The charity supports people with a range of approaches but specialises in employment support, training, engagement, and life coaching.

• Age UK Teesside

Age UK offers advice and support to people aged 50 and over, as well as activities and events. The Teesside branch can be called on 01642 805 500.

County Durham:

• County Durham Community Foundation

This charity works with local communities to fund projects that help fight poverty and enrich lives, the foundation has been awarded £53,199,118 so far and given 11,931 grants to groups. You can call the foundation on 0191 378 6340

• The Lord Crewe’s Charity

This charity was established under the terms of the will of Nathaniel Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham to distribute income from his estates in the North East of England to the people of Durham. The charity assists necessitous clergy and their dependents in the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle, particularly in education of their children and to assist in financial need.

• Humankind

This charity aims to support individuals with substance use, clinical help, employment training and education, housing services, housing support and health, as well as young people and families services. The charity can be contacted on 01325 731 160

• Angel Trust

According to their website the Angel Trust is a “registered charity developed by an inspirational board of Trustees.

“We may all need a helping hand at some point in our lives and the Angel Trust aims to be there to provide support where it is needed.  Please help us to help people in our local area.”

• DASH (Durham Action on Single Housing)

DASH provides support to people who are homeless or are about the become homeless by providing social housing and promoting the car, educatin and training of people with a mental or physical disability.

North Yorkshire:

• Foundation (Richmond )

Foundation provides help for people struggling to find a job, battling addiction as well as improving relationships. They are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and can be called on 01748 829556.

• Community First Yorkshire,

They are a rural community council for North, South and West Yorkshire and provide advocacy for rural communities and parish councils. They can be contacted on 01904 704177

• Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington

Age UK offers advice and support to people aged 50 and over, as well as activities and events. The Darlington branch can be called on 01325 362832.

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