A North Wales community support lead has given an insight into the increased demands of services in the region amid rising prices. 

Lisa Goodier is the North Wales' lead manager for operational support and protection across North Wales for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

One of Lisa's main roles is the management of the support hubs that are dotted across North Wales.

The hubs were created in the midst of the covid pandemic with the aim of providing emergency care for those that needed it, in the form of Covid tests and food supplies.

Betsi Cadwaladr has since progressed them from the initial emergency support, to a more long lasting source of help in the form of community support hubs.

READ MORE: 'It's only going to get worse for people' warns foodbank manager

The community support hubs aim to provide a more long lasting source of help. The hubs are dotted all over North Wales and provide services such as legal advice, heating support, mental health support and food support. 

Which at the moment is proving essential for many families. 

Lisa expressed her concerns about the potential for increased demand in January, when rising energy and food prices loomed, three months later and she explains why her concerns were justified. 

READ MORE: I bought food essentials in February and in April - this was the price difference

She said: "Our hubs are extremely busy, with a huge increase in residents worrying about their finances, not being able to pay their utility bills and suffering badly with anxiety because of it. 

"Also we have large numbers of people coming forward for food support, many of which have never had to previously. 

"It’s not just utility bills residents are worried about, it’s all the other bills such as rent/mortgage, shopping bills, being able to afford new clothes for their growing children.

"There has been a significant increase in the number of residents now wanting to access mental health support too."

READ MORE: I visited a foodbank warehouse and I was staggered with what I found out

Lisa is hoping that the longer hubs are in action, the more comfortable people will be with using the services available to them.

She added: "As the word about our hubs continues to spread, more and more residents are accessing the support we are able to offer because it’s all accessible under one roof.

"It's clear this approach is really having an impact, we just need to be doing more of it, in more places and over a continuous period of time." 

To find out more about the community hubs and for information on how to access them, click here