As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact families across the community, a new digital resource developed by AnglicareSA’s Financial Wellbeing team is providing vital access to a wide range of supports.

The Cost-of-Living Index follows regular pop-ups and information sessions which identified that while there were lots of programs and tools out there, information overload could be a significant barrier to those seeking help.

Community Engagement Worker Nathan Hawke said people were accessing such a large amount of information but felt overwhelmed and inundated.

 

“After getting some information about the different services out there and hearing about what people’s needs are directly relating to the cost of living, I thought it would be helpful to create a one-stop location to access effective cost-of-living supports,” Nathan said.

“We considered what are valuable steps or actions people can take that are easy, and that we can concisely list – less is more.

“We have links to concessions, emergency assistance – through AnglicareSA and other providers – financial counselling, financial wellbeing workshops, and other upcoming community events including Bring Your Bills Days.

“There’s also information on money management, scam help, plus access to directories of additional services via Affordable SA as well as Ask Izzy, a mobile website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby.”

 

While still in the pilot phase, Nathan is confident the Cost-of-Living Index, easily accessed via a QR code, will continue to evolve and help more people access and action valuable, yet simple changes to strengthen their financial wellbeing and build financial resilience.

 

“Ultimately we want to help people avoid a state of crisis or hardship,” Nathan said. “And also, as a peer-to-peer opportunity, people can share that page with other people in their circles.

“We want to build on the Index and create something that is really user friendly, easily accessible, easy to share, and has native translation as well for people from different backgrounds and who have visual impairments.”

AnglicareSA’s Financial Counselling team has strong connections with community centres, schools, community workshops, and other organisations which all have access to their own unique QR code that all goes to the same source – the Cost-of-Living Index.

“The idea is that this Index will become a bit of a library and a QR code will be put on a handout, made accessible through financial counselling meetings, or simply at a front desk,” he said.

“Really this now means people need just one brochure instead of 20.”

AnglicareSA Financial Counselling Coordinator Carolyn Piper said the Index would provide an avenue for support for those in our community who were harder to reach.

“These are the people who don’t go to community centres or other places where people meet,” Carolyn said. “Maybe they are working and have never had to use services like this before.

“Once the Index is more broadly circulated, it will allow this cohort of people to access supports simply and more readily.”