SEVERAL organisations have gathered in the heart of the community to showcase what support is available for those in need.

Poole Waste Not Want Not have organised the four day event at the Dolphin Poole shopping centre to highlight the differences between support networks.

The community resource pop-up event is at the Gather space at the Dolphin and will be open from 10am to 4pm from October 21 to October 24.

Erika Sloper, Poole Waste Not Want Not CEO, said she wants to show the community that support is available, after seeing the need for help triple over the past four years.

She said that in the past 18 months, more working households are reaching out for support.

Left to right: Sally Knight, Sylvie Parkinson, Leanne Miller and Erika Sloper (Image: Newsquest)

“You just cannot afford to live anymore,” said Erika.

“Families are paying for food shops with credit cards.

“They are at a crisis point.”

She added: “Some people feel humiliated to ask for help because they have mortgages or they are working two jobs but why shouldn’t they ask for support.”

On the first day of the event, Poole Waste Not Want Not spoke to 66 people and were able to refer 14 residents to its services.

Daisy Carr and Lucy McQuillin, Access to Food partnership (Image: Newsquest)

Daisy Carr and Lucy McQuillin, from BCP Council’s Access to Food Partnership have been offering advice and teaching people about their app which showcases a map of all available support.

Lusy said that the community is coming up to a “real key time” with the winter season and Christmas period.

She said that anyone can seek help, not just those in a crisis, and that support “goes beyond food”.

Liz Soffe, Community Action Network (Image: Newsquest)

Liz Soffe from Community Action Network teaches people about volunteering work and how it can benefit either parties.

She said that volunteering not only helps the service-user but also the volunteer who may struggle with mental health problems, disabilities or social issues.

Chris Denmen, Ridgewater Energy (Image: Newsquest)

Chris Denmen from Ridgewater Energy said the organisation is “Dorset’s best kept secret” that more people should be aware of.

Ridgewater Energy works towards the green agenda while supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis by making homes more energy efficient.

The organisation, which is funded by BCP Council and Dorset Council, can also provide eligible people with free appliances and heating systems.

“We are Dorset people looking after Dorset people,” said Chris.

Also offering advice in Gather is COAST, Poole Job Centre and Live Well Dorset.