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Cost-of-Living Support

You can find information below on all the support that is available both locally and nationally to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

 

If you have any questions, please do contact my office or email me at lee.dillon.mp@parliament.uk.

Holding Hands

Local Support Organisations

General Advice

  • Citizens Advice West Berkshire: Help with benefits, debt, housing, and employment.
  • West Berkshire Council:
    • Household Support Fund: Short-term help with costs like energy bills, food, and clothing.
    • Energy-Saving Advice: Visit Here
  • Sovereign Network Group: Bills, benefits, and digital access support.
Family Support
  • Home-Start: Support for families with at least one child under 5.
Food and Essential Items
  • All Yours Period Poverty: Free menstrual products. Website
  • Community Furniture Project: Affordable essential household items.
  • Community Larder: Website
  • Loose Ends: Local drop in centre.
  • Newbury Soup Kitchen: Website | 07719 183439
  • TUXchange: Free and discounted school uniforms. Website.
  • West Berkshire Food Bank: Website
Specialised Local Services
  • Newbury Community Resource Centre:
    • Essential Household Goods Support Scheme: Website | 01635 43933
    • Christmas Toy Appeal: Website | 01635 571703
  • Fair Close Centre: Lunch discounts are available for eligible households.
    • Location: Newtown Road, Newbury | 07496 587904​

National Support Organisations

Energy and Utilities

  • British Telecom: Affordable broadband for benefit recipients.

  • Thames Water: Payment plans, discounts, and priority services.

  • British Gas: Help with energy bills and efficiency grants.

Debt and Money Management

  • Citizens Advice: Visit Here

  • National Debtline: Expert debt advice.

  • StepChange Debt Charity: Free debt advice and tools.

  • MoneyHelper: Impartial advice on money management. Website

  • Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre: Website | 0800 3280006

Support for Older Adults

  • Age UK: Support for over-50s, including debt and legal advice.

    • Website | 0118 959 4242

    • National helpline: 0800 169 6565

Government Resources

Wellbeing and Mental Health

Mental Health and Emotional Support

  • Samaritans: Free, confidential emotional support available 24/7.

  • Mind: Mental health information and support.

    • Website | Infoline: 0300 123 3393

  • Talking Therapies Berkshire: NHS counselling and therapy support.

Medical Costs and Prescriptions

  • NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate: Save money on prescriptions if you need regular medication.

  • Healthy Start Scheme: Vouchers for pregnant women and families with children under 4 to help with food and vitamins.

Housing and Employment Support

Housing and Homelessness

  • Shelter: Housing advice and support for people struggling with rent or facing homelessness.

  • Crisis: Support for those experiencing homelessness.

Employment and Skills Support

  • National Careers Service: Free advice on careers, training, and CV writing.

  • Jobcentre Plus: Help with benefits, job applications, and finding work.

Specialist Support Groups

Support for Carers

  • Carers UK: Advice for unpaid carers, including financial and emotional support.

Support for Children and Young People

  • Childline: Free, confidential support for young people up to 19.

  • The Mix: Support for under-25s, covering mental health, money, and housing.

  • The Waterside Centre: Website

Legal Advice

  • Free Legal Advice Centres: Assistance with family, employment, and housing issues. Website

Additional Support

  • Lloyds Bank Academy: Free advice on digital, financial, and employability skills.

  • Smart Works: Coaching and clothing for women returning to work.

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