Cost of living increases: 'It's hard on your pocket and your heart'

Many families across Northern Ireland are feeling the financial strain as the cost of living increases.

Energy prices are soaring due to supply and demand issues on the global wholesale market.

The latest cost increase announced on Thursday will see Firmus Energy put up gas prices by 38% from 3 December across its Ten Towns network area, affecting 55,000 customers, including those in Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Craigavon, Londonderry and Newry.

BBC News NI has been speaking to people in Derry who say they are already seeing the effect of the rising costs in their pockets.

Trudy McIntyre, who is a mother of four and works part-time, says it is a struggle financially for their family.

"I have noticed a big difference in the money that is coming into the house at the minute," she says.

Ms McIntyre says the family has had to limit the amount of clubs and after-school activities their children can attend in an effort to save money.

"All the wee ones did all their activities before but now we can't afford to do them all so they have to pick between them.

"So if she wants to do her dancing that's all she can do as you can't afford to do anything else."

Ms McIntyre says both she and her partner are under constant stress because of birthdays that are coming up and making sure their family has a nice Christmas.

"It's hard on your heart and it's hard on your pockets."

Rose Cameron-Hughes, who is a mother of two young boys with a third child on the way, says her family is living week-to-week.

"It's hard, some days you're sitting there with the electric going and the gas going and the kids are asking for certain things when you go food shopping and you're having to tell them no," she says.

"There are nights you are sitting there and you're thinking: 'Have I got enough to last until the end of the week?'

"'What are the kids going to eat for the next couple of days? Have we got enough bread or milk?'

"It takes a lot of money-managing each week and each month - you have to make sure gas is topped up, electric is topped up and that the kids and yourself have everything you need."

Patrick Friel of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul says the charitable organisation has helped more people with everything from food and furniture to heating this year.

"The need is there - the numbers that are ringing our helplines are growing every day," he says.

"Possibly that is down to the Covid-19 pandemic impact and the end of the furlough scheme.

"People are finding themselves out of work or on reduced hours, which means less income coming into the house."

Mr Friel estimates that his charity has helped about 20,000 people over the past year, with the organisation receiving about 50 calls a day to their office helpline.

"Everything is going up and people are finding it difficult to afford their food bills and, specifically at this time of year, heating.

"It is really shocking at the moment, so many people are coming to us now who would have never come to us before."