Rent, housing and benefits were just some of the specific issues which brought Highworth residents out to speak to staff from the council and others who were able to offer advice on bills and money.

The last of the first round of Swindon Borough Council’s cost of living roadshows was held in Highworth Library on Thursday (June 22), giving people a chance to learn what help is available and what they might do to better deal with ever-increasing bills.

An early visitor was Susan People who was keen to speak to Citizens Advice and, if possible, the council’s housing department.

She said: ”My husband is 69 and still working – but he suffers from a range of medical conditions and I don’t think he’ll be able to continue working through next winter.

Swindon Advertiser: Residents attending the cost of living roadshow in HighworthResidents attending the cost of living roadshow in Highworth (Image: Aled Thomas)

“We’re in private rented accommodation and I’d like to speak to someone from the council to see if we can get help with the rent. We’ve been on the council’s housing list for a while but have always been able to find accommodation we can afford until now; when my husband stops work it will be more difficult.

“But we love where we live and it’s a bungalow which is really helpful for my husband, so we’d like to stay there if we can.”

Finding an NHS dentist as well as housing issues are causing May Evans concern: “It seems that pensioners are the only low-income group who aren’t eligible for free NHS dentistry, which is very frustrating."

Meanwhile, a resident who only wished to be identified as Christina said: “I’ve recently retired, but the government said it had overpaid me Universal Credit. It’s stopped that and I’m waiting for my state pension, but they’re saying they’ll take it off my pension at such a high rate that I won’t be able to pay my bills.

“I’ll also be looking to speak to people about cutting bills in general.”

Although the Highworth event is the last of the roadshows, Mark Hyde of the organising team said the council is looking to do more, in line with the expressed ambitions of the cabinet member responsible, Councillor Jim Grant.

Mr Hyde said: “When we started planning these, we were concentrating on properties the borough council owns. But looking ahead, we have very good relations with the parish councils so we may be able to put these events, or something similar, on in different areas of the borough.

“They may not look exactly like the ones we’ve held so far, but we are definitely looking at doing something like this again to try and help people find solutions.”