ORGANISERS of a new neighbourhood group in Tavistock believe their services could be vital to residents as rising energy and food bills kick in later this year.

Tavistock Helps, which is being created on the back of the highly successful Christmas treats for vulnerable people, is aiming to put together an army of volunteers to help residents who fall on hard times.

The group, made up of representatives from a variety of town organisations, say their help could range from a community project to helping to bail out families whose financial circumstances gives them a choice of keeping warm or eating.

Tavistock Helps, which is just a few weeks old, is aiming at recruiting an army of volunteers to provide help for needy members of the community.

They were inspired by the treats campaign held over the last two years which saw volunteers delivering food and gifts to individuals and families over Christmas.

During the campaign, organisers uncovered a hidden layer of residents who had been devastated by the financial fallout caused by the Covid pandemic.

One of the organisers, former town councillor Graham Parker, now one of the people spearheading the new group, said it was believed that there was still a need for a neighbourhood support set-up for people who had fallen on hard times.

Ofgem says the energy price cap will increase from April 1 for around 22 million customers.

Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 per year and prepayment customers an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017, driven by a record rise in global gas prices over the last six months, with wholesale prices quadrupling in the last year.

Meanwhile, British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said food prices were likely to accelerate this year.

She said: ‘Retailers can no longer absorb all the cost pressures arising from more expensive transportation, labour shortages, and rising commodity and global food prices.’

Mr Parker said: ‘During the treats campaign, we discovered more cases of hardship than we had  bargained for and that sad fact spurred us on to form this group which will help people all year round, not just at Christmas.

‘During Christmas, we had far more people volunteering than we could use, which was staggering, because it indicated that there are a lot of residents out there who want to help their community. We’re grateful to them all.

‘We are still in touch with these people and others have come forward already to say they want to help with the new group.

‘I strongly believe that there are people out there who still need help and, sadly, that is a situation which is not likely to go away with the massive increases in the cost of living some families will be facing.’

Mr Parker said that in some cases where people needed help, they would be directed to the relevant groups who could give them help.

He said: ‘There is still a lot of work to do with the new group. We are looking at working with other organisations over the possibility of getting funding to help us set up — for example we are going to need to create a database of volunteers.

‘But I am confident that this group is needed and that there is a gratifying willingness in the community to help people who have hit hard times.’