When household budgets are already tight, seemingly small additional costs can quickly add up. Children are at home for more meals, childcare arrangements may change and parents can face the challenge of finding affordable activities and days out. At the same time, rent, energy bills and other essential household costs don't stop for the summer.

For some families, the loss of the routine and support provided during the school term can make an already difficult financial situation even harder.

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More than the cost of food

Food is an obvious additional expense during the school holidays, but it is rarely the only pressure a family is facing.

A household struggling to afford its weekly food shop may also be dealing with debt, rent arrears, high energy costs or an unexpected bill. Sometimes a change in circumstances, reduced working hours or an additional childcare cost is enough to tip a carefully balanced household budget into crisis.

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This is why CHAT looks at the whole picture.

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How CHAT can help

Our team supports people across Mid Devon with a wide range of practical issues, including food support, debt and budgeting advice, benefits and housing.

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Rather than focusing on one immediate problem in isolation, our advisors can work with clients to understand their circumstances, identify support they may be entitled to and look at ways of making their situation more manageable in the longer term.

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If you are finding things difficult this summer, please get in touch with CHAT. You don't need to wait until things reach crisis point before asking for support.

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How you can help

The generosity of our local community enables us to continue providing practical help to people who need it.

Donations to our foodbank are particularly valuable, and our most-needed items can be found on our website and social media. Financial donations also allow us to continue providing the advice and support that can help people address the wider issues behind financial hardship.

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Whether you donate food, give financially or simply share information about CHAT with someone who may need us, your support can make a difference to a local person or family this summer.