As the cost-of-living crisis continues, I?m aware that people not only face higher food prices, energy bills and mortgage rates, but they may also be worrying more about money.

This is a very stressful time, but I?d like to assure you that if you are worried about money then you?re not alone. Your mental wellbeing can be affected if you struggle to cope, and this may lead to avoiding or delaying getting the advice you need.

I?m urging people to talk about money and be aware of the online advice and guidance that is available. If you?re worried about money, you can get help and guidance at www.asklion.co.uk/money.

You can also get mental health support and advice in Nottingham, so if you?re worried about the impact money is having on your mental health please visit www.asklion.co.uk/mentalhealth.

With the rising cost of energy bills, keeping homes warm this winter will be a concern for many. Nottingham City Council is helping homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient through the latest Greener HousiNG scheme. Eligible homeowners can apply to have insulation installed that?s tailored to your home?s needs for free.

Eligibility criteria:

• The home is located within the Nottingham City boundary
• The household income is less than ?31,000*
• The home is cold and hard to keep warm with an EPC rating of E or below**
• The occupier of the home is the homeowner

To find out more and to apply for the scheme, get in touch with Nottingham Energy Partnership by calling 0115 947 2207 or visiting the website.

*Some income-related exemptions apply, contact the team to find out more.

**If you don?t know your home?s EPC rating, the team can arrange for an assessment.

We know that many families will find it hard to pay the bills this winter. The offer of free school meals could help by saving parents and carers up to ?437 per year. All primary school children in reception, year one and year two are entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals, free for all children in Government funded schools. Just let your school know your children would like to have Universal Infant Free School Meals.

If you receive benefits, your children may be able to continue having Free School Meals after year two. Check your eligibility and apply here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Our catering service, Eat Culture, caters for many city schools. They use only the best ingredients. Their fruit, vegetables, meat and milk come from local British farmers. They only use Red Tractor assured meat and MSC approved fish. They use free range eggs, organic potatoes and pasta. Committed to CN28, their ingredients come from local, fully traceable sources.

There?s lots of fun and spooky activities for families this Halloween? from cave tours to crafts to monsters and witchcraft ? there is something for all ages.

? Newstead Abbey & Gardens: Family Ghost House Tours and Meet the Ghosts Evening Tours are just some of the Halloween offerings at Newstead. Find out more: https://newsteadabb ey.org.uk/october-and-halloween

? Wollaton Hall & Deer Park: There?s a ?Hidden History Tour? of the hall, while everyone can explore the Hall?s ground floor for free and there are ?make and take? activities for kids to make bats and ghosts. Find out more: https://wollatonhall.org.uk/october-and-halloween/

? Nottingham Castle: Head into the Castle Caves after dark and join paranormal investigator Abraham van Helsing on a spooky, actor-led cave tour and investigate the mysterious disappearances. You can also learn all about the history of wizardry and witchcraft in the magical laboratory at Abramelin?s Academy of Arcana.?Find out more: https://www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/whats-on/halloween-at-the-castle/

? It?s in Nottingham Halloween Festival: There is some spook-tacular family fun this weekend, including the giant rooftop monsters. On Sunday 30 October, there will be free face painters, a spider school and a meet and greet with Batman and his Batmobile on King Street. Find out more: https://www.itsinnottingham.com/ideas-inspiration/halloween-2022/

Active Nottingham has recently launched a virtual tour which allows Nottingham residents to see inside each of the six leisure centres from 360-degree angles. During the tour, potential members can gain virtual access to the facilities and visit each building from the comfort of their mobile device or computer.

I?m pleased to also see the virtual tours offer valuable information for service users wanting to learn more about each facility?s access arrangements, such as where the changing rooms are or where specific rooms are for classes.

Active Nottingham is much more than just a ?gym? with indoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and a range of exercise classes, there is something for everyone and the new virtual tour allows potential members to explore the layout and details prior to arrival.

To view the new Active Nottingham virtual tours, visit?https://www.activenottingham.com/virtual-tour/ ?