TWO Teignbridge voluntary organisations have joined forces to help more struggling families and individuals in response to a rise in demand.

Kingscare, in Kingsteignton, and HITS – Homeless in Teignbridge Support – are combining their efforts to avoid overlapping and duplicating services.

Both voluntary sector groups will be working in close collaboration as they battle to help with the cost of living crisis.

Teignbridge CVS, which supports voluntary groups in the district, says it is co-ordinating key groups to work together.

A spokesman said food banks have been seeing a ‘drop-off’ in donations while the number of clients needing help is rising.

The aim of linking organisations is to share resources and establish ways to ‘signpost’ people and families to find the necessary referals for help, including support with mental health and finances as well as food parcels.

Trish Kirkby, trustee of HITS, said: ‘I hope this is the first of many such agreements.

‘The voluntary sector needs to work together to be cost effective in the face of the cost of living crisis. This is hopefully the beginning of a good and positive relationship.’

Both organisations have specific expertise which they will now be able to share.

Kingscare had been investigating setting up a community larder but by working with HITS, will now be able to provide food boxes to those in need and HITS will be able to help Kingscare with storage space.

Kingscare has access to help with heallth and well being services.

Meanwhile HITS is looking to secure a deal to source cheap slow cookers which could save families up to £10 a week in energy costs.

HITS volunteers have compare the running costs of slow cookers with ovens and discovered the savings possible by using slow cookers.

They say a 160W slow cooker can be used for 15 hours and 42 minutes for the same energy useage as one hour with a standard electric oven.

To find out more contact HITS on 01626 906371 and Kingscare on 01626 337466.