It’s barely out of the news. Food bills, fuel bills, interest rates, job losses. It makes for stark reading, listening and viewing.
It’s a scary time for many of us, our neighbours and our friends, who are trying to juggle the pressures from the cost of living crisis and continue to provide for our families.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel if you are feeling the pinch or worried about making ends meet.
We’ve created a round-up of information on local services and organisations that can help you with free advice, services, meals and activities to help you through the next few months and beyond.
Debt Advice
Greenwich Money Advice Service is a specialist unit of the Greenwich Citizens Advice Bureau that helps local people with financial difficulty and debt problems. You can get help budgeting, negotiating with creditors, and checking entitlement to benefits and court procedures.
Energy Bills
If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit, you should already have your £150 rebate -you do not need to do anything. The Council have the information they need to put the money into your bank account that your Council Tax Direct Debit comes from. The Chancellor has announced additional measures; the package means that almost all eight million most vulnerable households would receive at least £1,200 of support, including a £150 council tax rebate already paid.
GLLAB
Works in partnership with a range of organisations to give you the best chance of finding a job in Royal Greenwich and a wider area. They can also help if you need help looking for your next appointment, want to learn new skills to re-train, up-skill for a new career, or get back to work after a break.
Food Banks
If you can’t afford food, you can call 0800 470 4831 to speak to Greenwich Community Hub, a referral agency partner of Greenwich Foodbank, about getting a voucher. Please note this number is for people who do not have enough money for food.
Baby Banks
Just like a food bank, but for young families and babies – Little Village are amazing, but you will need a referral from a food bank, midwife or health visitor. Alternatively, you can contact Mamma Kind and Greenwich Mutual Aid, who also specifically cover the Greenwich area.
Help with Childcare
The government has many schemes to help you pay for childcare while at work. We have found that this step-by-step tool from gov.uk takes you through the whole process, so you know where you stand.
Free School Meals
Receive a qualifying benefit and have a child in primary or secondary school? You may be able to get free school meals, school clothing grants or school journey grants for your child. You can apply online here. If you are not sure, apply anyway.
Free Holiday Meals
Free meals and support are available during every school holiday for children and young people living in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Meals are provided for all children and young people within the borough during school holidays. You can get the timetable here as locations do vary.
Free Holiday Club Places
For kids between 4 and 16, who receive or are eligible for free school meals, you’ll be able to claim a spot at one of Greenwich’s participating clubs. At the time of writing, the summer program hadn’t been updated, but here’s the link to the Easter activities to give you a taste of what’s available and where.
Summer Activities
Young Greenwich is Royal Greenwich’s youth support service, which offers local children and young people between eight and 19 (up to 25 for people with SEND), the opportunity to attend youth hubs and participate in free or affordable activities.
Adventure Playgrounds
Five adventure playgrounds across Greenwich can take children from 6-16 years. Some centres can take younger children in their under-fives areas if accompanied by an adult. For full details and links to individual playgrounds, click here.