The Bank of Things
A new service, based on the principles of a food bank and aimed at helping young people take an active role in their education, has now opened its doors. The Bank of Things is a new Young Mayors Project working with Lewisham Local to address the issue of poverty and lack of resources for young people in the borough. They supply everyday necessities to any Londoner aged 11 to 25 who is facing hardship.
If you are struggling to afford everyday essentials such as personal care products or school supplies, you can go and collect what you need from the Bank of Things, Unit 19 in Lewisham Shopping Centre. Items include deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and sanitary products, as well as a selection of stationery, maths sets and schientific calculators.
For more information visit Lewisham Bank of Things - Lewisham Local.
If you are struggling to afford everyday essentials such as personal care products or school supplies, you can go and collect what you need from the Bank of Things, Unit 19 in Lewisham Shopping Centre. Items include deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and sanitary products, as well as a selection of stationery, maths sets and schientific calculators.
For more information visit Lewisham Bank of Things - Lewisham Local.
Support with Domestic Abuse
Do you need help to keep you and your family safe? The poster below shares a range of different domestic abuse services that operate nationally. The poster has also been translated into several languages.
Cost of Living Crisis
We know that everyone is feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, and we want to support our families that are most affected. We have gathered some sources of information and support on this page which we hope will help you through this difficult time.
Lewisham Children & Families Centre has a new page on their website, where they have pulled together all the info they have received on the support for families during the cost-of-living crisis: https://www.lewishamcfc.org.uk/cost-of-living/
This includes key information, local where possible, and blog posts which expand on some of the key issues - more blogs have been written and will be add once they are published.
This includes key information, local where possible, and blog posts which expand on some of the key issues - more blogs have been written and will be add once they are published.
Local authority support
Lewisham Council - Help with the cost of living crisis
Local authorities have lots of different schemes that you might be eligible for, including:
* The holiday activities and food programme – access to food and activities over the school holidays *
* Help with transport to school *
* Help with the cost of uniform *
Local authorities have lots of different schemes that you might be eligible for, including:
* The holiday activities and food programme – access to food and activities over the school holidays *
* Help with transport to school *
* Help with the cost of uniform *
Help with feeding your family
Here are some places where you can get support without vouchers:
• Living Water Christian Centre Food Service - Wednesdays
Honor Oak Community Centre 50 Turnham Rd SE4 2JD. Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm (can’t deliver). Check which week is opening. Dietary needs catered for. The food service contact details are: [email protected] and 07783 441 973.
• St Peter's Church Brockley - Social Supermarket - Wednesdays
43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT. A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area on Wednesdays. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Dietary needs catered for. Request food via the website link to get a shopping appointment. Can deliver to people in some circumstances. www.stpetersbrockley.org.uk/feedback-food-request
• Whitefoot and Downham Food Project – Thursdays
Hope Church 480 Whitefoot Lane Downham, BR1 5SF. Open Thursdays 7.30-9pm for those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. You can just turn up. No delivery, pre-packed bags.
• Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project – Fridays
The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor). Open Fridays 12noon to 2pm. For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area struggling to put food on their table, or in financial crisis/hardship. Bring one form of ID and one proof of address. Tel - 07930 958 097 / [email protected]
- Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket
• Living Water Christian Centre Food Service - Wednesdays
Honor Oak Community Centre 50 Turnham Rd SE4 2JD. Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm (can’t deliver). Check which week is opening. Dietary needs catered for. The food service contact details are: [email protected] and 07783 441 973.
• St Peter's Church Brockley - Social Supermarket - Wednesdays
43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT. A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area on Wednesdays. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Dietary needs catered for. Request food via the website link to get a shopping appointment. Can deliver to people in some circumstances. www.stpetersbrockley.org.uk/feedback-food-request
• Whitefoot and Downham Food Project – Thursdays
Hope Church 480 Whitefoot Lane Downham, BR1 5SF. Open Thursdays 7.30-9pm for those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. You can just turn up. No delivery, pre-packed bags.
• Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project – Fridays
The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor). Open Fridays 12noon to 2pm. For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area struggling to put food on their table, or in financial crisis/hardship. Bring one form of ID and one proof of address. Tel - 07930 958 097 / [email protected]
Worrying about money?
Are you worrying about paying your bills? Have you suffered a drop in income or lost your job? Do you want to know what support is available in Lewisham? The leaflet below provides some information which may help you, or go to this website: www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/lewisham
Have you received all the government's cost of living payments?
The government’s cost of living payment is available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account. If you think you’re due a payment, but haven’t received one – report a missing payment to the government here.
Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost of living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost of living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.
The government’s cost of living payment is available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account. If you think you’re due a payment, but haven’t received one – report a missing payment to the government here.
Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost of living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost of living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.
Hardship funding / support with energy costs
There are a lot of ways to get help:
- British Gas Energy Support Fund – apply for a grant on the British Gas Energy Trust website
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund – apply for a grant on the Scottish Power Hardship Fund website
- Ovo Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Ovo Energy Fund website
- E.ON Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Energy Fund website
- E.ON Next Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Next Energy Fund website
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund – apply for a grant on the EDF Energy Customer Support Fund website
- Bulb Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Bulb Energy Fund website
- Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’ – apply for a grant on the Octopus website
A Warm Welcome
Lewisham Council are offering a Warm Welcome in local libraries across the borough, where people can come together and use the facilities in a warm, welcoming environment. You can see opening times here. While people are worried about energy and gas prices, and rising bills, these spaces are for people to come in and use. You might want to sit and read a book, do some homework, or just sit and chat to a friend or a volunteer. All this information is on their cost of living support hub, and more, which you can find here.
Other community groups are coming together to offer spaces where people can pop in. Some may be providing hot drinks or food, others may be providing social activities. Please check each listing at Lewisham Local for an overview of opening times and services provided.
The BROOK HUB are offering a WARM SPACE FOR ALL on Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter - click below for more information:
Other community groups are coming together to offer spaces where people can pop in. Some may be providing hot drinks or food, others may be providing social activities. Please check each listing at Lewisham Local for an overview of opening times and services provided.
The BROOK HUB are offering a WARM SPACE FOR ALL on Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter - click below for more information:
Local Organisations that support families
Click on the button below for a list of local organisations and services that provide support, advice and assistance in a variety of areas, from family support to community clubs to toy libraries.