People in Guisborough were invited to go to the Methodist Church Hall on Westgate last Thursday, where there was an exhibition of how to get advice and support from government organisations to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

This coincided with the Guisborough Bridge weekly Thursday soup and a roll session and the Guisborough market, so there were plenty of takers.

Redcar and Cleveland Council Trading Standards officers Calum McAllister and Laura Southwell were there to give advice on how to deal with unwanted cold callers and suppliers of defective goods.

Middlesbrough Environment City Affordable Warmth Partnership, together with Carers Together, gave details on keeping warm with advice on looking after those who needed some form of care.

Susan Rowe from Age UK provided details of the dementia advice service and Richard Gerrard from Redcar Citizens Advice Bureau was part of the Redcar and Cleveland Council Help Improvement team to put together these cost-of-living events.

Similarly, Gary Gorman from the council welfare rights/benefits team was there to give advice on claiming Council Tax support. Norliza May represented the Social Prescribing team, who are linked to the Primary Care Network to deal with referrals from doctors on any matters other than medical issues.

Last but not least, local Guisborough PCSO Lorraine Hudson was there to discuss any problems with law and order.