A new round of support for struggling households has been launched.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has announced that £587,000 will be used to help residents who are struggling with essential costs this winter.

This is following the extension of the government’s Household Support Fund.

The funding will be used to provide one-off payments of £150 to help with the cost of essentials and bills.

Free school meal vouchers will also be provided for those struggling to provide food for their children during the school holidays.

The council is working with voluntary groups and community organisations across the borough to identify residents in need and help them access a wide range of support.

Support will automatically be made available to care leavers in the borough.

Councillor Catherine del Campo, cabinet member for adult services, health, and housing services, said: "We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable households in the borough get the support they need, especially those facing financial hardship in challenging times.

"The extension of the Household Support Fund enables us to provide much-needed help to our most vulnerable households and assist them with the cost of essentials, including food and energy, this winter, as part of wider support available through the council and our partners across the borough."

Applications for the discretionary funding are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and be residents in the borough.

The fund will remain open until the end of March 2025 or until all the funding has been allocated.

Previous rounds of the fund have helped residents in a variety of ways.

Some residents have used the funding to assist them with transport costs to carer support groups and mental health meetings.

Others have used it to pay for new heated blankets to reduce heating costs, whilst others have used the fund to help with unexpected costs that risked putting them in financial difficulty.

The fund is just one way that residents can access help in the Royal Borough.

Further support is available, including assistance with childcare costs and council tax, access to food banks, help for mental and physical wellbeing, money management skills, and debt advice.

Residents can contact Citizens Advice East Berkshire or attend the drop-in service on Marlow Road, Maidenhead, on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am and 12pm, for information on this fund and wider support or if they are unable to access more information online.