A growing number of people in the Bendigo area are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet, with some forced to go without the basics of living.

Welfare and support agencies, including Anglicare Victoria and Bendigo Family and Financial Services, have told the Bendigo Advertiser that they are seeing a continual rise in the number of people seeking help for financial hardship.

In 2016-17, Anglicare Victoria received requests for help from more than 1600 people in the Bendigo region, a 6 per cent increase on the previous year.

The organisation’s financial counsellors providing case management for about 1300 of them, the remainder receiving phone advice, information or referral.

In the first quarter of this financial year, nearly 480 people sought assistance, an 18 per cent increase on the same time last year: if demand continues at the same rate, the organisation can expect to see 1900 people before the year is out.

While in the past financial counsellors found most of those seeking help were receiving Centrelink benefits, Anglicare Victoria regional director Francis Lynch said a growing number of people experiencing financial stress were employed.

The organisation’s case management services manager in Bendigo, Tracey Grinter, said the complexity of cases was also increasing: people had more debts, larger debts, and other issues, such as mental illness, that exacerbated their hardship.

Experiencing financial difficulty, for some, means they struggle to afford the most basic of needs.

“They rely on agencies for food support, or go without, or they sit in cold rooms,” Bendigo Family and Financial Services general manager Jenny Elvey said.

“Their standard of life falls, because they can’t afford it.”

Mrs Elvey said many people in dire financial straits even went without medication, affecting their health.

Her colleague, microfinance manager Tracie Driscoll, said children suffered too, their parents unable to afford fees, books, uniforms and the like.

Mrs Elvey added that children sometimes missed out on activities like sport, because of the costs involved.

Both Anglicare Victoria and BFFS, along with other agencies such as the Salvation Army, offer help to people experiencing financial hardship.

Ms Grinter said Anglicare worked closely with other organisations, such as the Sheriff’s Office, utility providers and banks, to find workable solutions for those doing it tough.

This week Anglicare Victoria brought together welfare agencies, Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water and the Sheriff’s Office for a workshop to provide better support to those under financial stress.