©Kirton News 2025

Benefit Entitlment Advice from Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire

I’ve recently had to give up work due to a back injury and I’m worried about how I’m going to cope with the drop in income. I’m not sure what benefits I can get - where should I start?

Lots of people miss out on the benefits that they are entitled to, so it’s definitely worth checking what you can get.

Claiming benefits also means you can get access to other financial help like cost of living payments and discounts on energy and transport.

To get started, you can use an online benefits calculator. For the most accurate answer, you will need information about your savings, income, pension, childcare payments and any existing benefits for you and your partner, if you have one. You can use the Entitledto benefits calculator or check out the Policy in Practice version for a detailed overview. The Turn2us online tool can provide a quick idea of what benefits and other financial help you might be eligible for.

The main benefit available for most people of working age is Universal Credit. You should check if you can get Universal Credit if you’re over 18 and under State Pension age (you can check your State Pension age on the government website), and if you have less than £16,000 in savings or other investments. You can check if you’re eligible on the Citizens Advice website.

If you are finding it difficult to work because of your injury, you might get more Universal Credit or not have to look for work. You will need to inform the Department for Work and Pensions that you have a health condition when you claim Universal Credit and, if possible, submit a fit note. You can find out more on the Citizens Advice website.

You might be entitled to other benefits depending on your situation, like your age, if you are disabled or if you have a child. Some people are able to claim more than one benefit - for example, disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (if you are under pension age) or Attendance Allowance (if you are over pension age) and Universal Credit. These disability benefits aren’t means-tested and can often be claimed in addition to other benefits like Universal Credit. Take a look at our website for more details.

If your medical condition makes it difficult to work, you may also be entitled to the new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you pay council tax, you might be able to get a reduction in your bill. You can check if you can pay less council tax on the Citizens Advice website.

There is also help available if you don’t have enough money to live on. You might be able to get extra money from the government, your local council or a charity.

If you are still not sure, remember that you don’t have to face this alone - get in touch with Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire for free support. Our advisers can help to check what benefits and financial support you might be entitled to, and help you to find a way forward.

You can contact us on 08082787942 or email your query to: outreach@citizensadvicemidlincs.org.uk For information about our service and how we can help you, please take a look at our website www.camidlincs.org.uk

A Message from Father Paul

In these hot summer months, it can be hard to put our faith first in our lives. Gone until next year are the important penitential season of Advent and Lent, and the great solemnities of Christmas and Easter, not forgetting the numerous feast days like the Most Holy Trinity and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

These times focus our minds the most, a time when we look into our hearts to see were we fall short of the love of God, when we joyfully celebrate the incarnation and the resurrection of Christ, when we ponder some of the mysteries of God. We are now that long time between Eater and Advent where not much happens, and the lure of the world seems to be so much more important, where we look forward to our well-earned holiday, and long for the sand on Skegness beach. This time may not seem exciting, but this is the time the church to settle down and start it work, the work that is the continuation of Jesus’ ministry on Earth.

Therefore, as Disciples of Christ this is an important time for us when we go out into the world to bring God to his people. This I know is not an easy job, but remember we do not go out alone, for as on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples, so to do we go out into the world with his same Holy Spirit upon us. We most also remember, that as disciple need a time rest as well as a time to be fed, if we are to be an affective disciples, finding our rest and our nourishment in the presences of God. Coming into his presence in our prayers, as we read and ponder scripture, and most importantly, we come into his presence during the our services where he also comes into our presences during the Eucharist.

When we come to church we should do this not out of a sense of duty, or because it is something we have always done, or even out of an obligation to another person, but out of our love of God. Coming to his presence to praise his mane, to seek reconciliation, to learn from his word, to petition him in our prayers and to receive him into our presence. Come and be in the presence of God and he will sustain you for this time to come.

From Little Acorns do Mighty Gardens Grow

Wyberton and Kirton Gardening Club enjoyed another talk at their June meeting - we are being spoilt for choice this year! This time, we were joined by Tom Houghton, who runs Boston Community Growers CIC.

Tom told us all about his journey from his time at sixth form figuring out what made him tick in life, through an intense few years living to work, to his epiphany about a quieter life with a market garden supported by some landscaping work. As is so often in life, one thing led to another through a series of happy coincidences, chance meetings with interested people, and a property search that spanned the country: originally from Sussex, Tom viewed market gardens from Somerset to Wales via the north of Lincolnshire to settle on the garden he has today. In fact, he nearly drove past it: Tom had seen the plot for sale but assumed he’d never be able to get it, but on driving through Boston to view a property in the north of the county, he stopped on a whim and realised that this was the site for him. And as lady luck would have it, he managed to secure it!

Since acquiring the property as we came out of the dark days of the pandemic, he has been able to pull the garden back into shape, having become overgrown over recent years, and rejuvenate it into gardens that worked for him. It includes an orchard which he is working hard to prune back into a productive area of the garden, too, not to mention the old Dutch light glasshouses that he has renovated and the polytunnel that he has erected.

But perhaps more interesting is how this garden is contributing to local life. Situated behind an unassuming house on Spilsby Road and extending to three acres, bit by bit it has become a hub of wellbeing and learning. At first, it was different adult groups who would visit and take part in activities on the garden, such as sowing seeds in trays. Then, after a chance meeting on a night out with a woman who worked in a local primary school, he embarked on a new opportunity to enable children to gain new experiences. Despite children often being thought of as stuck to the screens, he said they loved it - especially the weeding! This has since flourished into a series of links with schools around the town, and has evolved such that Tom now goes and works with children in their own school gardens as well as hosting pupils at his own site.

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Tom has been able to fund various projects on the site to keep it going, such as the renovation of the glasshouses. This has enabled him to host groups even in bad weather to be able to meet and take part in horticultural tasks. He is also mindful of the needs of the less physically able, minimising steps, thinking about stable walkways for wheelchair access etc. There is even a “treehouse” on stilts as a meeting room!

We finished off the evening with a Q&A, and then moved to our raffle and monthly plant swap. It was great to meet some new faces, too.

Our next meeting will be Friday 10th July, where among other things there’ll be a bumper quiz! Everyone is welcome, £3 entry including refreshments, Kirton Holme Church Hall. Please also keep an eye on our Facebook page for other events such as member garden open events, and details of our summer club meal out. We look forward to welcoming you.

Charity Gig comes to Kirton

Hello, I am writing to share details of a charity event which we hope you may be able to feature in the Kirton News.

On 8th August, it will be one year since our much-loved dad, Len Challis (Lenny), a long-time Kirton resident, sadly passed away. For the six years before his death, Lenny attended Boston Dialysis Unit three days a week, where he received life-sustaining treatment and outstanding care.

Lenny met his wife, Liz, in 1980 when she auditioned as a singer for his band. That meeting marked the beginning of a wonderful life together. They went on to marry, raise seven children, fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and open their home to hundreds of foster children over the years.

Music was at the heart of Lenny’s life. He was an exceptionally talented guitarist with a remarkable knowledge and passion for music. Liz is also a highly respected vocalist with an outstanding voice, and their love of music has been passed down through the family. Many of their children have become talented musicians and singers in their own right.

To celebrate Lenny’s life and support a cause that meant so much to him, Legacy – a nine-piece live band featuring Liz and several of their children – will be performing “LEGACY: Rocking for Dialysis!” at Kirton Town Hall on Friday 8th August.

The evening will feature classic rock and pop anthems from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, together with guest performers and sets from a local Endeavour FM DJ. There will also be a licensed bar, raffle, games and opportunities to win prizes, with all proceeds helping to raise funds for Boston Dialysis Unit.

We hope the event will not only honour Lenny’s memory but also give something back to the unit that supported him and so many other local families over the years.

Rosie Smith