Problems

Cost of Living Crisis

Advice, information, and support

Government information on Cost of Living Crisis

Overall Government support for the cost of living crisis: Factsheet
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet

Cost of Living Payment
Guidance on how to get an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Help for Households
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

Mayor of London: London Assembly: Help with the Cost of Living
Mayor of London: Help with the Cost of Living

Money & Energy Savings Tips

Ofgem: Reduce Your Bills: Schemes and Grants
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/reduce-your-bills-schemes-and-grants

Money Saving Expert: Energy Saving Tips
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-tips/

Compare The Market: Money and Energy Saving Tips
https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/content/energy-saving-tips/

Cutting your Energy Bills: Information from Which
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/cutting-your-energy-bills/article/save-electricity/saving-energy-in-the-kitchen-a9vpj2W40RVJ

From Money Saving Expert: Cost of Living Help Guide 
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cost-of-living-survival-kit/

Groundwork's Get Energy Help: A resource hub offering helpful tips and advice on different ways you can save energy, stay warm and reduce energy bills.  Groundwork's Green Doctors can visit peoples homes to show them how to save energy, help resolve billing issues and access other community services. 
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/getenergyhelp/

From ITV:  How to Winter-proof your home to cut energy bill costs
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-10-04/eight-ways-to-winter-proof-your-home-to-cut-energy-costs

From Step Change: Coping With the Cost of Living Crisis
https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/rising-cost-of-living.aspx

Age UK: Help with the cost of living: information and advice
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/cost-of-living/

Cost of Living Crisis: 20 Ways to Cope: Student budgeting and advice from Save The Student 
https://www.savethestudent.org/save-money/cost-of-living-crisis.html

Mrs MummyPenny: Personal Finance Expert
Lots of information and tips for saving money
https://www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk/

Savoo's Cost of Living Guide including cutting down the cost of Christmas 
https://www.savoo.co.uk/cost-of-living-guide

Go Compare: an interactive energy cost calculator tool to find out how much something costs to run
https://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/guide/energy-calculator/

Metro: Cheap ways to heat your home this winter
https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/11/9-cheap-ways-to-heat-your-home-this-winter-for-under-10-each-18071463/amp/

Broadband Savvy - How to save money on broadband
https://broadbandsavvy.com/how-to-save-money-on-broadband/

Warm Spaces

Warm Welcome - find a warm space

https://www.warmwelcome.uk/

The cost-of-living crisis is already affecting millions across the UK, with many reporting they will be unable to switch on the heating on in the coming months. We believe everyone should have a warm and welcoming Space to go to this winter, which is why our network of community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and other faith groups across the UK have opened their doors to provide exactly that.

Find a warm space by putting in your location
https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space

Food 

If you are struggling to afford food, there are places which can help like foodbanks. You may need a referral with a voucher from a number of local community organisations such as advice agencies e.g. Citizen Advice Bureaux, GP, schools. Your local food bank can advise you on agencies which can refer.

Find your local food bank here
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

Community Fridges

A Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. It is a site where local people can share food, this includes surplus from supermarkets , local food businesses, producers, households and gardens. Fridges are run by community groups  in shared spaces such as schools, community centres and shops, their main purpose is saving fresh food from going to waste.

To find a fridge near you check out website
https://www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge#h_16173234781659542454638

The Bread and Butter Thing
https://www.breadandbutterthing.org/
Mobile food clubs give access to nutritious and affordable food taken into the heart of communities starved of money, food and resources. This low cost weekly shop provides essential produce for family eating – fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples. Currently hubs covering the North West, North East and the West Yorkshire areas. Find local hub on link below
https://www.breadandbutterthing.org/become-a-member#locations

Food Cycle
https://foodcycle.org.uk/

Food Cycles vision is to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past for every community. With community dining, week in, week out, they feed the hungry and give company to the lonely in communities; providing delicious meals and great conversation, and using food which would otherwise go to waste. Find your local community meal location on their site.

Olio
https://olioex.com/
OLIO connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. This could be food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare home-grown vegetables, bread from your baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away. For your convenience, OLIO can also be used for non-food household items, too.

Love Your Neighbour
https://www.loveyourneighbour.uk/
Love Your Neighbour is a national network of churches, charities and other organisations working across towns and cities, to see people helped, communities rebuilt and to inspire a fresh movement of practical love for our neighbour. They identify root causes of poverty and equip people in areas such as debt advice and employment training. They support those in emergency situations through crisis food provision and other immediate help. Check the website to find your local hub.

Money Saving Expert: Supermarket Shopping Tips
30 Tools and Tricks to Slash Food Bills
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-supermarket-shopping/

From Money Saving Expert: How to get Free (or cheap) food
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/how-to-get-free-or-cheap-food/#need2-3

10 ways to cut costs on food from Habitat for Humanity
https://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/blog/2022/09/cost-of-living-crisis-10-ways-to-cut-costs-on-food/

Free School Meals

If you are on means tested benefit and low income, your child may qualify for free school meals. Check here.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Cooking

BBC Food: How much could you save by not using your oven
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/energy_saving_tips

The Guardian: Best appliances to save cash when cooking
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/aug/27/best-ingredients-and-appliances-to-save-cash-when-cooking

Recipes

BBC Food Budget Dinner Recipes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/budget_dinner_recipe_and_ideas

BBC Food Budget Meal Plan for One
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/budget_meal_plan_for_one

BBC Food: Find some more budget recipes and meal plans here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/budget

Christians Against Poverty: Recipes on a Budget 
https://capuk.org/money-and-debt-advice/recipes-on-a-budget
 

Grants Search

Lightning Reach portal
https://www.lightningreach.org/application-portal
Helping you get the financial support you need. If you're struggling financially and need help with money, you may be eligible to apply for supportsuch as grants, benefits, help with bills and local schemes. The secure Lightning Reach portal allows you to find and apply for support  from multiple providers quickly and easily.

Turn 2 Us
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
Independent charity which helps people access the money available to them through welfare benefits, grants and other help

Debt help and financial advice

Citizen Advice Bureau:
Have bureaux across England, Wales and N. Ireland
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
for CAB information online

Citizen Advice Bureau – Get help with the cost of living
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living/

Christians Against Poverty
https://capuk.org/
Free help getting out of debt, budgetting and making your money go further

Love Your Neighbour
https://www.loveyourneighbour.uk/
Love Your Neighbour is a national network of churches, charities and other organisations working across towns and cities, to see people helped, communities rebuilt and to inspire a fresh movement of practical love for our neighbour. They identify root causes of poverty and equip people in areas such as debt advice and employment training. They support those in emergency situations through crisis food provision and other immediate help. Check the website to find your local hub.

Money Helper:
0800 011 3797
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Helps people manage their money by free, unbiased, independent advice. Independent service set up by government. Also advice on Pensions

National Debtline
0808 808 4000
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
Also contact National Debtline by webchat and email - see website for details
Free independent debt advice.

Step Change Debt Charity:
0800 138 1111
www.stepchange.org
Helpline and counselling for people with debt problems. Provide debt management plans which include debt repayment schedules and advice on all aspects of money management.

If you are thinking about debt management as a way of solving your debt problem, make sure you get some impartial advice first. Debt management plans (DMPs) are not suitable for everyone. Also, beware of any company charging fees for arranging your DMP. StepChange Charity will advise you of the best debt solution for your circumstances and if a DMP is right for you, they can provide you with a free debt management plan. For more information visit the StepChange Charity website.

Virgin Media O2: Are mobile providers charging you twice for your phone?
Overpayment Calculator
https://www.o2.co.uk/overpayment-calculator

More resources here
https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/debt-and-finance/

Housing

Help with rent: Shelter
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/get_help_with_rent

 

Emotional Support

It is natural that worrying about the cost of living and how to make ends meet, may cause a certain amount of anxiety and stress for people. If you find that your mental health is suffering and you are struggling emotionally, please reach out to get some support. SupportLine can be contacted at info@supportline.org.uk and please see the following sections on this website which give some general advice, other resources and Helplines - Please see sections on Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Mental Health, Debt & Financial, Self  Help.