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Resources for families who are missing out on free school meals If your child is missing out on free school meals (contact.org.uk)

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Cooking for a family on a budget | Staffordshire Connects

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Family Hub Cooking

It can be difficult to decide what to cook at mealtimes, especially when you have a family and need something that everyone will enjoy! This page is dedicated to help you with: -

Meal inspiration and ideas for trying new recipes.

Cooking whilst keeping to tight a budget.

Ideas for meals that are healthy and nutritious

Recipes that are easy to follow for the novice cooks amongst us, some of our recipes also have a video for you to watch on our You Tube Channel.

Just click below on the recipe for a downloadable recipe card or on the video link to be taken to the YouTube Chanel. If you try any of our recipes we would love for you to upload pictures onto your local Family Hub Facebook page. Also let us know if you made any swops, we can then share your ideas.

We will be adding new recipes weekly, so keep on coming back for more!

Main Meals

1. Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe or Tuna Pasta Bake YouTube Video

2. Pasta Bolognese Recipe or Pasta Bolognese YouTube Video

3. Beef Hotpot Recipe

4. Chicken Kebab Recipe or Chicken Kebab Recipe YouTube Video

5. Chickpea and Potato Curry Recipe

6. Corned Beef Hash Recipe

7. Cottage Pie Recipe or Cottage Pie Recipe YouTube Video

8. Easy Cheese Pasta Recipe

9. Easy Fish Burgers Recipe

10. Easy Tortilla Pizzas Recipe or Easy Tortilla Pizzas YouTube Video

11. Ham and Mushroom Pasta Recipe

12. Jacket Potato, Tuna and Sweetcorn Recipe or Jacket Potato, Tuna and Sweetcorn YouTube Video

13. Sausage and Bean Casserole Recipe

14. Super Easy Lasagne Recipe or Super Easy Lasagne YouTube Video

15. Toad in the Hole Recipe or Toad in the Hole YouTube Video

16. Tomato Pasta Bake Recipe or Tomato Pasta Bake YouTube Video

17. Various Toppings Omelette Recipe

18. Vegetarian Chilli Recipe

19. Easy Cheese Potato Pie Recipe or Easy Cheese and Potato Pie YouTube Video

20. Chilli Con Carne Recipe or Chilli Con Carne YouTube Video

21. Cheese and Bean Pasties Recipe or Cheese and Bean Pasties YouTube Video

22. Amity Hub Special Chilli Con Carne Recipe or Amity Hub Special Chilli Con Carne YouTube Video

23. Chicken Noodle Stir Fry Recipe

Lunch or Snacks - These recipes can be used for lunch time, a quick snack or as part of your main meal

1. Bacon and Egg Bagel Recipe or Bacon and Egg Bagel YouTube Video

2. Boiled Egg and Soldiers Recipe

3. Cheese and Bacon Loaded Skins Recipe or Cheese and Bacon Loaded Skins YouTube Video

4. Cheesy Coleslaw Recipe or Cheesy Coleslaw Recipe YouTube Video

5. Cheesy Scones Recipe

6. Cheesy Toastie Recipe or Cheesy Toastie YouTube Video

7. Crustless Quiche Recipe

8. Fishfinger Sandwich Recipe or Fish Finger Sandwich YouTube Video

9. Ham and Tomato Crumpets Recipe

10. Hummus Lunch Ideas or Hummus YouTube Video

11. Pizza Muffins Recipe or Pizza Muffins YouTube Video

12. Potato Wedges Recipe

13. Salad Wrap Recipe

14. Scrummy Scones Recipe or Scrummy Scones YouTube Video

15. Straight from the Fridge Omelette Recipe

16. Summer Salad Recipe

17. Veggie Frittata Recipe or Veggie Frittata YouTube Video

18. One Pot Pasta Recipe or One Pot Pasta YouTube Video

19. Eggy Bread Recipe or Eggy Bread YouTube Video

20. Stuffed Peppers with Couscous Recipe or Stuffed Pepper with Couscous You

21. Cheese Muffins Recipe or Cheese Muffins YouTube Video

Desserts

1. Banana and Oat Yogurt Pots Recipe or Banana and Oat Yogurt Pots YouTube Video

2. Banana and Orange Oat Bars Recipe or Banana and Orange Oat Bars YouTube Video

3. Banana Loaf Recipe or Banana Loaf YouTube Video

4. Choco Popcorn Cakes Recipe

5. Chocolate Brownie in a Mug Recipe

6. Easy Cupcakes Recipe or Easy Cupcakes YouTube Video

7. Easy Peely Banana Ice-Cream Recipe or Easy Peely Banana Ice-Cream YouTube Video

8. Flapjacks Recipe

9. Frozen Yogurt Lolllies Recipe

10. Jelly Mousse Recipe or Jelly Mousse YouTube Video

11. Raspberry Cheesecake Pots Recipe

12. Refrigerator Cake Recipe or Refrigerator Cake YouTube Video

13. Rice Crispy Cakes Recipe or Rice Crispy Cakes YouTube Video

14. Shortbread Biscuit Recipe or Shortbread Biscuit YouTube Video

15. Very Berry Crumble Recipe or Very Berry Crumble YouTube Video

16. Sweet and Savoury Pancakes Recipe or Sweet and Savoury Pancakes YouTube Video

17. Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe or Chocolate Chip Cookies YouTube Video

18. Fruit Kebab Recipe or Fruit Kebab YouTube Video

19. Banana Split Pops Recipe or Banana Split Pops YouTube Video

20. Kay's Banana Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe or Kay's Bread and Butter Pudding YouTube Video

21. Banana Pancakes Recipe or Banana Pancakes YouTube Video

Bitesized Recipes

These are small simple bitesized YouTube videos that show recipes in a quick and easy video format for you to enjoy making within your own home.

1. How to make Easy Bread Rolls YouTube Video

2. How to make Chicken and Courgette Pasta YouTube Video

Quick and Easy Meals

Toasted bread with toppings is a favorite speedy meal for many whilst being easy to make and affordable. There list could be endless but some of the less common toppings for ideas are: -

Avocado.

Red pepper and goats cheese.

Pesto and lemon.

Hummus with sliced beetroot.

Cheese with chopped grapes.

Peanut butter and chopped banana.

Crushed peas with mint.

Mashed chickpeas with lemon.

We also must not forget the Staffordshire Oatcake, a cheap and versatile treat that is cheap to buy, these can be filled with sweet or savoury fillings.

Hints and Tips

Why not swop the ingredients to make new recipes that meet your tastes or dietary requirements.

Get the whole family involved, everyone is more likely to taste and eat new foods if they help to create the meals.

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Family Hub Cooking It can be difficult to decide what to cook at mealtimes, especially when you have a family and need something that everyone will enjoy! This page is dedicated to help you with: - Meal inspiration and ideas for trying new recipes. Cooking whilst keeping to tight a budget.

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Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK.

Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK.

If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, specially trained staff will provide you with emotional and practical support that is tailored to your needs.

Call 24/7 on 0300 555 2222 or visit Home - Stop Loan Sharks

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We are an affordable warmth and energy advice service run by Tamworth Borough Council. Residents throughout the borough can access free and impartial support to help lower their bills and improve the comfort within their homes. Working with partners, our team helps support residents in fuel poverty and those living in cold homes. We provide advice, offer home visits, signposts to additional services and helps those in need access grants and financial support for energy efficiency improvements and other support with their energy costs. Throughout the year we may also have some opportunities to hold face to face events at community day centres, coffee mornings and in partnership with partner organisations such as Age UK and local housing providers. These can be flexible and arranged with local partners. The HEAT service is managed jointly by charities Beat the Cold and the Marches Energy Agency. Residents can self-refer or can be referred by case workers, partner organisations or friends and relatives.

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prices starting from 50p, you’ll find Toys, Books, Nursery Equipment and Clothing aged 0-10 years, Toys & Books. New and preloved, with all items in excellent condition. All profits going to Home-Start Tamworth who help & supporting local families.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080031631146

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National fuel poverty charity, working to ensure that everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is warm and safe at home. Offer benefit entitlement check via Warm & Safe Homes Advice Service
If you or someone you know can’t afford to heat their home then we’re here to help – we offer a range of advice and support both directly to people in need, and via frontline workers and other intermediaries.

Call 0800 304 7159, Monday to Friday 10.00 am-12.00 noon

Get Help - National Energy Action (NEA)

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NEA stands for National Energy Action. We were founded in 1981. Our aim is to eradicate fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

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Find a Food Bank

Find your local Trussell Trust food bank, their contact details and opening times. If you're struggling to afford the essentials or need advice and support Find a Food Bank - The Trussell Trust

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The Fuel Bank Foundation was set up to develop sustainable solutions to support homes in fuel crisis, unable to top up their prepayment meters.
Fuel Bank is currently available in selected foodbanks and advice agencies (Citizens Advice, Age UKs, Local Authorities, Councils for Voluntary Service etc...) across Great Britain and provides a top up voucher that provides approximately two week's worth of fuel to clients who use a prepayment meter to heat their home and to cook with, and who have been deemed as in ‘crisis need’ by an independent referrer.
Website has links including:
What to do if you need help now
How to stay in control of our energy account
Be aware of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Jack Monroe meals on a budget
Eligibility for extra financial help
Help from other national organisations
Improving energy efficiency

For more information go to: https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org

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Free debt advice online Get debt help now

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Staffordshire based charity, whose aim is to reduce fuel poverty, and cold related ill health. Beat the Cold advisors provide a first class, invaluable service for residents living across Staffordshire. Likely topics during a telephone call or a conversation may include:

Applying for free or low-cost insulation;

Using your heating system the best way – to reduce cost and waste;

Paying for fuel – finding the best tariff and switching companies;

The Warm Home Discount and Priority Service Registers;

Fuel debt;

Improving energy efficiency;

Referral to agencies that specialise in checking benefits;

Renewables, such as solar pv, solar thermal, heat pumps; and the ways to make them pay.

Home Energy Advice and Support Visits available by appointment only.

Support goes beyond energy advice, and can include:

Looking for the best way to pay for fuel that suits the household;

Checking meter readings and bills;

Negotiating with fuel companies over debts and payments;

Referral to other schemes;

Getting all the paperwork together and helping to write letters;

Returning to check progress.

Beat the Cold – Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire's Fuel Advice Charity (beatcold.org.uk)
Need help? call 01782 914 915

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Getting the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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The Energy Bill Support Scheme gave every household a £400 discount on their energy bills for winter 2022 to 2023. This ended in March 2023.

Eligibility

All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales were eligible for the discount.

You'll still get the discount if:

you change your payment method or tariff

you switch electricity supplier or move to a new address

your supplier goes bust

you're in arrears on your electricity bill payments

If you're in Northern Ireland

You should automatically have got a £600 payment towards your energy bill through the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme.

How you'll get the discount

You did not need to apply for the discount, and there was no need to contact your energy supplier.

The discount was applied to your household electricity bill for 6 months starting in October 2022. You got:

£66 in October and November

£67 in December, January, February and March

You'll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card.

If you did not get a payment, contact your energy supplier.

If you pay by Direct Debit

You'll get the discount automatically either as:

a reduction to your monthly Direct Debit amount

a refund to your bank account after the monthly Direct Debit collection

If you pay by credit or debit card

Your discount will be automatically applied as a credit to your account in the first week of each month.

If you have a smart prepayment meter

Your discount will be credited directly to your smart prepayment meter in the first week of each month.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter

You'll automatically get the discount each month as either:

redeemable vouchers, sent by text, email or post

an automatic credit when you top up at your usual top-up point

Your electricity supplier will let you know in advance how you will get your discount.

You'll need to redeem vouchers at a top-up point, for example at a Post Office or PayPoint shop. Payzone outlets do not accept the vouchers.

You will never be asked for personal information, such as bank details, to get this payment.

Vouchers expire after 90 days. If your voucher does expire, you can ask for it to be reissued.

All vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.

Your supplier will contact you if you do not redeem your voucher.

Some suppliers may allow you to transfer EBSS payments from your electricity meter to your gas meter.

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Help with your energy bills: the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bills Discount Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payment

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Assure Assist

This if for customers who have NO income at all due to starting their UC journey (Excluding CB, PIP, DLA, AA, Carers Allowance, HB, Severely Disabled element of CTC, Council Tax reduction – not single occupancy)

Standard Assure

This is for customers whose total household income is less than £16480 per annum from 1 April 2021 plus £1500 per dependent child in the household but also excludes the above benefits as income too.

28/02/2023 Now available to families with a household income below £19050

If you're struggling to manage your debt and require extra support, help is available

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To access the pantry /food you must attend an advertised pantry with ID and recent proof of address and then a membership card can be issued to your household.
Please bring strong large bags for the food and join the queue
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068948163434&sk=about

Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS2YqQ4uY4YXdF3y2RUrCv-WrO8It06t11gDTf4m9rJrs8Iw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR1i8SlC9emT607yQat4v12RJTTRyhl63ccokd1TOixV3_mbgh9Oi6AZs1A

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Here are the best times to get 'yellow sticker' bargains in supermarkets | JOE.co.uk

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Fan of getting good grub on the cheap?

The reduced to clear sections of supermarkets can be a god send for those doing some discounted food shopping.

Done properly and at a good reduced to clear shop can provide you with some of the finest eats in the land.

Done poorly and you'll rarely end up with anything more than double cream, a small pie and this.

Thankfully, the folk at MoneySavingExpert have compiled some helpful pointers for making your money go further at your local supermarket.
Know your supermarkets
As MoneySavingExpert explains, the most thing to remember is that the reduce to clear sections go at specific times.

Supermarkets often make their discounts mid-morning and in the evening, so this would be the best times to shop.

As reported in The Mirror, these are the best slots:

Asda reduces goods by 25 per cent at noon, by 50 per cent at 5pm and by up to 75 per cent at 9pm.

Morrisons make their first reductions at 5pm by 50 per cent, and again at 7pm by up to 75 per cent.

Sainsbury's reduce items by up to 25 per cent at 1pm, again by up to 50 per cent at 5pm and reduce items again by 75 per cent at 8pm.

Tesco starts early at 8am with 25 per cent reductions, they slash goods again by 50 per cent at 4pm and by 75 per cent at 8pm.

Co-op also start early, with 25 per cent reductions at 8am, 50 per cent reductions at 5pm and 75 per cent reductions at 7pm.

Happy shopping people. Send in your best snaps later.
Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live

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Here are the best times to get 'yellow sticker' bargains in supermarkets | JOE.co.uk

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The reduced to clear sections of supermarkets can be a god send for those doing some discounted food shopping. Done properly and at a good reduced to clear shop can provide you with some of the finest eats in the land. Done poorly and you'll rarely end up with anything more than double cream, a small pie and this.

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Free mobile phone app connecting neighbours with each other and volunteers with businesses so that surplus food can be given away for free rather than being left to go off or be thrown away OLIO – The #1 Free Sharing App (olioex.com)

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Let's not waste our wonderful world. Connect with your neighbours to give away food & other household items, plus lend & borrow, for free.

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Struggling to Pay Your Energy Bills? We Can Help (ovoenergy.com)

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Struggling to Pay Your Energy Bills? We Can Help

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Need some help paying your energy bills? Find out how we can help you with a payment plan, the OVO Energy Fund, and extra support and guidance.

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There are two ways this fund can help and support people. It can either help customers with help paying their bills or to replace broken electrical appliances.
- E.ON Next Energy Fund (eonnextenergyfund.com)

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The E.ON Next Energy Fund has been created to help our customers (including Sainsbury Energy) who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling. There are two ways this fund can help and support you:

1. The first option is to help with paying your gas and electricity bills through grants, helping you to become financially stable and more importantly, getting you back in control of your finances.

To be considered for this help, you'll need to show that you're committed to being financially stable by making regular payments over a three-month period for ongoing usage before receiving an award.

The grants are awarded so that you can take control of your finances by clearing your household energy debts and to help you meet your future bills.

We use a three-month Provisional Award Scheme for grants. This means that to receive an award, you'll need to show your commitment to achieving financial sustainability by making payments for your current usage. Once we've let you know that you've been successful for a provisional award, you'll need to contact E.ON Next to set up a payment plan, check you're on the best tariff for you and chat through energy efficiency advice and support that could help you to reduce your bills in the future.

While you're making your ongoing payments, we'll suspend any debt. Then once you've made sufficient payments and the award is confirmed, the debt will be cleared. If however you don't keep up with the payments, the award will be withdrawn and the debt, together with any further debt which has accrued over the three months will remain.

2. The other option is to provide a replacement appliance such as a cooker, fridge, fridge-freezer or washing machine if yours has broken or poor condition.

For a grant towards bills

To complete your application, there are some details that we'll need from you like your E.ON Next account number and a recent meter reading so that we can make sure that the balance due is up to date. We may also need to ask for some of the following information:

Proof of all household income for yourself and anyone living with you for the current tax year.

All pages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating your entitlement to a benefit and the amounts due to be paid for the current tax year.

Pension letters for State or private pensions.

Medical confirmation from the organisation that referred you to the fund or a medical DS1500 form or medical confirmation from a consultant or your doctor.

Please note all supporting evidence must be less than three months old with the exception of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) annual benefit letters, for example, State Pension and Child Benefit letters. All documents must clearly show name and address details as well as the amounts currently being received for the current tax year.

To complete your application, you'll need to know your E.ON Next account number. Depending on your circumstances, we may ask you to show us:

Proof of all household income for yourself and anyone living with you, for the current tax year.

All pages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating your entitlement to a benefit and the amounts due to be paid for the current tax year.

Pension letters for State or private pensions.

Medical confirmation from the organisation that referred you to the fund or a medical DS1500 form or medical confirmation from a consultant or your doctor.

Please note all supporting evidence must be less than three months old with the exception of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) annual benefit letters, for example, State Pension and Child Benefit letters. All documents must clearly show name and address details as well as the amounts currently being received for the current tax year.

Information around the current condition of your white good(s).

The Fund recommends all applicants seek money advice before applying, to help negotiate with any other creditors and maximise welfare benefits and income.

The E.ON Next Energy Fund is managed on behalf of E.ON Energy by Charis Let's Talk.

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The E.ON Next Energy Fund has been created to help our customers (including Sainsbury Energy) who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling. There are two ways this fund can help and support you: The first option is to help with paying your gas and electricity bills through grants, helping you to become financially stable and more importantly, getting you back in control of your finances.

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Offer support through their Energy Trust and have grants for customers of both British Gas and other suppliers.
Grants Available - British Gas Energy Trust

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Struggling with energy debt?

If you're struggling with debt its difficult to know where to turn. The British Gas Energy Trust would encourage you to contact your local Money Advice Agency for help before applying for a grant. If you get advice, this will help your chances of a successful grant application.

Click here to find your local advice centre or find online debt and money information at www.turn2us.org.uk, www.StepChange.org and on the Citizens Advice national website.

Our Grants

British Gas Energy Support Fund
The Energy Support Fund is open. To be considered for a grant you must meet the following criteria. If you cannot tick all boxes your application will not progress to assessment:

You are a British Gas credit or pre-payment meter customer living in England, Scotland, or Wales

You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 12 months

You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to your main residence

Have electric and/or gas debt between £250 - £1,500

You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty

You have received help from a money advice or guidance agency

If you meet all the above criteria, you may be eligible for a Trust grant, click here to apply for a grant. Please note: The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity, funded by British Gas. Please do not contact us concerning British Gas customer enquiries or complaints as we have no information on British Gas accounts. This includes billing queries and Warm Home Discount queries.

The Trust CANNOT make part payments towards an energy debt.

You must provide evidence of receiving money guidance/advice: this includes: a letter confirming that advice or guidance has been provided, and that the applicant has completed either a standard financial statement and/or Personal Action Plan, equivalent evidence of an income and expenditure budget exercise. This must have been received in the last three months, at the time of applying.

Applications take up to four weeks to be assessed, you will be notified via the portal by logging in, or by text/email, if you have been successful.

If successful, the payment to your energy provider can take up to two weeks to show on your energy account. Please note the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments.

Application updates - please regularly login to the application portal to check for application updates. If you have problems logging in, please contact office@bget.org.uk who will respond to your email within five days.

Support with your application - if you are unable to access the online application, there is support for you by emailing office@bget.org.uk . Please supply a contact number for our team to get in touch. This can take up to five days for a response.

If you are unsuccessful in your application, please look at our money and energy advice page for potential sources of assistance and support.

If you have a complaint about the British Gas Energy Trust, please go to: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/complaints-policy/ Please note we do not enter into correspondence around grant decisions, a grant decision is final.

- we do not operate a white goods fund, please contact your nearest Citizens Advice Centre as they may be able to help.White Goods

If you meet the application criteria, The British Gas Energy Trust will only consider clearing arrears in full, partial payments will not be considered.

The British Gas Energy Trust reserves the right to close the application portal with little or no notice once funds have been expended.

We cannot accept applications for closed accounts, (i.e., if you have moved home or changed energy supplier) or accounts where you have paid off the debt with a credit card, or loan from family or friends.

Applicants with energy arrears over £1,500 will not be eligible to apply. If you are able to reduce your arears to £1,500, please do reapply.

Individual and Families Debt Write Off Fund
The Individual and Families fund is open - for pre-payment meter customers. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund - you can be a British Gas Customer, or a customer from another supplier with arrears of up to £1,500. However, we want to ensure that grants go to people who cannot access energy debt help from their own provider, the following suppliers Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power and Octopus all have their own funds to support their customers only, so if you are a customer of one of these companies, please apply to them directly.
As part of your application, we will want to understand how you will be able to manage your energy costs in future.

This is why it's so important to ensure you have sought professional money advice before applying, as there may be other routes which are more suitable for your situation.
To be considered for a grant you must meet the following criteria. If you cannot tick all boxes your application will not progress to assessment -

Have energy debt and use a Pre-Payment Meter in your main residence and the energy account must be in the name of the applicant.

You live in England, Scotland or Wales.

You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years.

You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name and the energy account must relate to your main residence. If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant. Please note the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments.

You have electric and/or gas debt.

You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty; and

You have received help from a money advice agency.

Please note : if you are a UTILITA credit customer you will not be able to apply to our fund, but if you are a UTILITA PPM customer with outstanding debt you can still apply at BGET.

You can apply here: Apply Now.

Fuel and Money Advice

The Trust funds advice-giving organisations across England, Wales and Scotland which give free support and help people avoid the burden of energy debt, make informed choices and improve their money management skills. Find an advice centre local to you.

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Grants Available - British Gas Energy Trust

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Apply to the British Gas Energy Trust for grants to clear domestic gas & electricity debts. You should get money or debt advice before applying.

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| Winter Warmer |   | The Winter Warmer will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 12.30 until mid-afternoon | St John's Church St John’s Rd B79 7EX

| A Warmer Winter Community Project | Community Children Count | Offering a free 3 course hot meal and drinks whilst also offering a mixture of activities to include but not limited too - arts and crafts , community film nights , educational sessions , cooking lessons with quick and simple meal ideas for all the community. The 3 course meal will be booking only via Community Children Count Facebook messenger, a drop in centre is also available for hot drinks and a warm place for the community.  | Surestart Children’s centre Hawksworth Glascote Heath Tamworth B77 2ER

| Changes Tamworth, Warm Space | Changes Tamworth, Warm Space | Wednesday 18th January till Wednesday 29th March (Every Wednesday)

Each session 13:30 - 16:30 (Open 14:00 - 16:00)  | Changes, 1 King St, Tamworth

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Find a Warm Welcome Space Today

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By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

Our mission is to support organisations to open their doors and provide a warm welcome for those struggling to heat their homes this winter.

Cost of living

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.

More about the Crisis

We have over 4000 registered organisations that have opened or are opening up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter across the UK. Please use this map to find one.

We are determined to equip and support thousands of free, warm, and welcoming spaces in communities across the UK. Working with churches and other faith groups, civil society organisations, businesses and Local Authorities, we want to make sure that nobody is left to suffer on their own this winter.

Each warm welcome space will be:

Free

Warm Welcome spaces will be free to enter.

Warm

Warm Welcome spaces are heated and able to provide basic refreshments such as tea/coffee.

Welcoming

Warm Welcome spaces are inclusive, non-judgmental spaces where everyone can expect a warm welcome from staff and volunteers.

Safe

Every organisation setting up a Warm Welcome space will abide by their usual safeguarding policies and hygiene rules. Organisations will make basic signposting information available to people who need further support and help.

"It has got harder and harder with gas, electric and food going up. You start noticing your money is going nowhere. I'm really frightened about this winter - I'm dreading it. When winter comes everything is going up by another 40% - that will be the end of us. I think a lot of people will be freezing to death because you're choosing between food and heating."

S (Currently getting support through Christians Against Poverty Debt Help)

If you aren't able to register a space but want to offer financial support to the Campaign, please visit our fundraising page here.

Give now via Stewardship

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We are determined to equip and support thousands of free, warm, and welcoming spaces in communities across the UK. Working with churches and other faith groups, civil society organisations, businesses and Local Authorities, we want to make sure that nobody is left to suffer on their own this winter.

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The Hub - Tamworth’s Befriending Centre, Tamworth Castle Grounds B79 7ND. Low cost refreshments and daily activities including walking, cycling, arts and crafts, games, pram walks, pottery painting and much more.

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With a cost of living & climate crisis, many of us are facing tough decisions. Some of us have moved to working from home following the pandemic and are facing a winter with increased energy bills. Others are facing even harder decisions about whether to heat or eat.

Warm Spaces is designed to signpost anyone in need of warmth & community, to a warm space to share with others.

https://warmspaces.org/spaces

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Use the ‘locate’ button in the top left corner of the map to show spaces in your area.

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Based at Sacred Heart Church https://www.facebook.com/HOTcommunityshop

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Free benefits calculator to find out what you may be entitled to Where you live (entitledto.co.uk)

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Based in Stafford. If you are getting in touch about referrals please message the Facebook page and follow the link in the automated response.
Staffordshire baby bank | Stafford | Facebook

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MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Debt Advice Locator | Syndication | MoneyHelper

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Debt Advice Locator | Syndication | MoneyHelper

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This tool provides free, confidential help and debt advice services across the UK. Find out how you can embed the tool on your website.

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If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Benefit will be added onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow’s milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

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The current cost of living crisis means more and more people are struggling with debt. But even if you're struggling to make ends meet, it doesn't mean your debt problem is unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick to resolve, but there's always a route. And the earlier you tackle your debts, the easier they are to deal with. Our guide shows you where to start and how to get free one-on-one help.
Get help with the cost of living - MoneySavingExpert

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Government help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4OybBhCzARIsAIcfn9mTd6-yZL2nGCKx5H-bd-yLriPFOZx9LrgW2AnwYPD7dc8yx6eMzgoaAh5BEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

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BDA Food Fact Sheet - Eat Well Spend Less

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BDA Food Fact Sheet - Eat Well Spend Less

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Eat well, spend less | British Dietetic Association (BDA)

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Healthy eating is important and doesn't need to be expensive. This Food Fact Sheet will give you some ideas to help you to eat well and keep costs down.
Top tips to save money when shopping

Follow these tips when you go shopping to help you spend less:

1. Make a meal plan, particularly for your main meals.

2. Write a shopping list and check what food you already have at home to avoid buying things you don't need.

3. Select a time to shop in the week when you are not in a rush.

4. If you can, avoid shopping on an empty stomach as it may affect what and how much you buy. Consider shopping after you have eaten.

5. Be aware that special offers are not always the cheapest option (See 'How to read a label').

6. Ask a member of staff at your supermarket for fresh food reduction times and try to shop then for reduced priced items. Avoid purchasing more than you need or can store. Use within the specified date or freeze for later.

7. Value brands often taste just as good for a lower price.

8. Local food markets offer locally-sourced foods which are usually good value for money.

9. Cheaper products are not always at eye level or positioned obviously. Check out all the shelves (including top and bottom).

10. Larger supermarkets offer a better range of produce, often at a cheaper cost, so do your main shop there if you can.

5-a-day on a budget

This section shows you how to achieve five portions of fruit and vegetables a day on a budget:

Select seasonal fruits and vegetables as they are widely available and less expensive, for example strawberries in summer and parsnips in winter. Find out more here

Consider loose produce, for example loose apples are often cheaper than the packaged variety (See 'How to read a label')

Some supermarkets sell 'wonky' fruit and vegetables which are just as nutritious but vary in shape and size - so cost less

Tinned fruits and vegetables are cheap and quick options to add to meals. For example, a portion of baked beans is one of your 5-a-day and a source of protein. For a healthier choice choose fruit canned in natural juice rather than syrup and vegetables canned in water without added salt

Frozen fruits and vegetables can be good value and highly nutritious as the nutrients are sealed in during the freezing process. They are also pre-prepared which makes cooking quicker and easier. Try adding some to your meals, for example, add berries to your porridge or peas to your rice

A small, cupped handful (30g) of dried fruit is a portion and can be added to your cereal or salad, for example raisins or apricots

Visit a local allotment or community garden as they may have cheap fruits and vegetables for sale

How to read a label

When deciding which product to buy, use the unit pricing to check the price of a food for a specific unit of weight (or volume). It helps you select between products when the product size is different, or if one product is on a 'special offer'. Unit pricing can help you get better value for money, but remember to still only purchase what you need to avoid wasting your food and your money.

Cooking tips and reducing food waste

Cooking from scratch can be cheap, fun and builds your confidence! Follow these tips below:

Make your favourite takeaway food at home, for example curry and rice or stir fry with noodles

Make homemade soups from leftover vegetables

Leave fruit and vegetable skins on wherever possible and suitable. If peeling is required, some peelings can be added to recipes like soups or stews

Reduce your meat portions and consider having a meat free meal or day at least once per week. Replace protein sources with alternatives, for example, add chickpeas to curry or baked beans to shepherd's pie

Good value protein sources include: baked beans, tinned mixed beans, tinned chickpeas, lentils, some meat substitutes, milk, yoghurt, hummus, hens' eggs, frozen chicken thighs, budget cuts of meat, tinned fish (especially sardines and mackerel) or frozen fish

Prepare a homemade packed lunch, for example leftovers from the night before or a sandwich

Have a stock of herbs and spices to add flavour to meals or side dishes. Mixed herbs are good to add to most savoury dishes

Freeze excess food, such as bread and other perishables. Most foods can be frozen, so look at the packaging for guidance

Consider bulk or batch cooking meals if you can (make a large amount and split into portions). Freeze or refrigerate leftovers for convenience and to save money

Budget meal ideas

These budget meal ideas are low cost and meet healthy eating guidelines.

Value cereals, milk and a portion of dried fruit

Porridge oats soaked overnight with yoghurt and frozen berries

Hot porridge topped with dried fruit

Eggs, baked beans or nut butter on brown toast

Cheese and vegetable omelette

Egg or cheese spread or cheese and cucumber sandwiches

Homemade or tinned soup with brown bread

Tinned fish on toast or in a sandwich served with salad

Jacket potato with baked beans, cheese, cottage cheese or tinned fish with salad

Evening meal

Veggie burger with homemade potato wedges and frozen peas

Cottage pie served with peas and carrots

Chicken and vegetable stew with Jollof rice or couscous

Tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake

Vegetable curry and rice

Rice and peas with mackerel in tomato sauce

Tinned or seasonal fruit served with yoghurt

Homemade apple crumble and custard

Rice pudding with jam

Malt loaf with low fat spread

Carrot, cucumber or celery sticks with hummus

Cheese and crackers

Boiled egg

Sliced apple with peanut butter

Microwave popcorn

Top tips

Make a meal plan and plan your shopping trips

Look for cheap and convenient ways to get your 5-a-day

Read the label to make sure you are getting the best value for money

Use food 'waste' such as peel to flavour soups and stews

'Batch cook' where possible

If you are having difficulty eating healthily on a budget, ask your GP, speak with a dietitian, or contact the support organisations in the Useful Resources section

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Healthy eating is important and doesn't need to be expensive. This Food Fact Sheet will give you some ideas to help you to eat well and keep costs down. Follow these tips when you go shopping to help you spend less: Make a meal plan, particularly for your main meals.

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A maternity exemption certificate entitles you to free NHS prescriptions. You can also use the certificate as proof that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment while you are pregnant. Find out if you're entitled to help with other health costs using the NHS eligibility checker. You’re entitled to a maternity exemption certificate if, at the time of your application, you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months. Ask your midwife, doctor or health visitor to complete the application for you. They can do this as soon as they confirm that you’re pregnant.

If they use the digital maternity exemption service you can get your certificate by email as soon as they have completed the application.

Otherwise, you'll get a paper certificate in the post within 10 working days of us receiving your application.

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Benefits Calculator; Grants Search; details about Turn2us' direct grant-giving funds; and links to other sources of information and help. Helpline 0808 802 2000 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

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Staffordshire County Council - Here to Help

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Staffordshire County Council - Here to Help

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Across Staffordshire many people are feeling the pressure from increasing cost of living. If you’re struggling financially or concerned about the future, getting help early can make a big difference. Lots of support is available from many different organisations, and it is often closer than people think.  Here to help - cost of living support - Staffordshire County Council

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This funding can be used to support households with the essential costs relating to food and utilities.

1. Education support fund

Education Settings in Staffordshire will be provided with £20.00 supermarket eVouchers for their children that meet the eligibility criteria over the October Half Term, one week over Winter and the February Half Term holidays.  The Education Setting must be claiming one of the following funding streams for the child:

Think2

Early years pupil premium

Benefits related free school meals

2. Care leavers support

We will be providing children who are leaving our care and moving into adulthood with two x £50.00 supermarket eVouchers, one at the beginning of December 2022 and one in January 2023.

3. Professionals referral scheme

We will provide a professionals referral route so that residents in Staffordshire can access additional help from those they are working with.  Professionals from the approved referrers list will be able to identify households that are facing financial hardship and most in need, particularly those who may not be eligible for other government support that has been made available but nevertheless still in need of financial assistance.  Each household will benefit from a £65.00 supermarket voucher and £20.00 per additional dependant, child, or person the care for.  This may include, but is not limited to, residents who are entitled to but not claiming qualifying benefits, people who are claiming Housing Benefit and a range of low-income households in need including children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.

4. Slow cooker project

We will provide over 20,000 households across Staffordshire with a slow cooker, some recipe cards and access to adult learning to support them to prepare and eat healthy slow cooked food.   We will work in partnership with our registered social landlords and with the district and borough councils to identify and target those households on housing benefit or on the waiting list for housing as their privately rented properties are unaffordable.

5. Winter warmth scheme

We will work in partnership with Beat the Cold and the Staffordshire Community Foundation to continue to deliver the Winter Warmth Project. Using the same professional route referral criteria, we will actively seek out Staffordshire residents who would benefit with financial support for energy. This scheme will provide either a top up card credit for those on pre-payment meters or credit paid directly to the energy supplier for those on metered accounts.  The payments will be made via the Staffordshire Community Foundation and their “Surviving Winter” Campaign Team. In addition, eligible residents will have access to an exceptional circumstance “top up” grant to contribute to new boiler systems.

Approved referrers list

The approved referrers that can access the Professionals Referral Scheme and the Winter Warmth Scheme are:

Staffordshire County Council

Registered social landlords

District / Borough councils

Health

Citizen's Advice Bureau

SCVYS members

Support Staffordshire members

Job Centre

SENDIASS

Education settings in Staffordshire

Staffordshire County Council's Family Support Providers

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https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Going-into-Hospital-and-benefits/Help-with-the-cost-of-travel-to-hospital

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2019-09-26/do-you-need-help-travelling-nhs-services

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If you’re looking for help, whether that’s help to get out of debt, find a job or gain vital life skills, Christians Against Poverty provides a range of free professional services across the UK through local churches. CAP UK | Home

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Get help with the cost of living If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and cost of living payments. Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
Drop in running at Sacred Heart Church Mondays 9.30-13.30pm.

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Government help with childcare costs for parents.

Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support
Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

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With significant changes coming to 15 and 30 hours childcare support in England. Sign up for more details about the upcoming expansion from April 2024, as well as how and when to register for support with childcare costs.
Read more on the upcoming changes.

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All about Government help with childcare costs, including 15 to 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits, Universal Credit, vouchers and support while you study

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Support and guidance with your energy bills and supplier
Check your energy rights. Find advice if you need extra help, have difficulties with your energy supply or want to complain. Save money and get greener with your energy use with our tips on switching, government grants, benefits and energy efficiency schemes. If you're pregnant or have young children you may qualify for the Priority Services Register - a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Get help from your supplier - Priority Services Register | Ofgem

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Big Difference Scheme ( BDS) – for those with low disposable income

Any Severn Trent customer can apply for this (they do not need to be on benefit) whether in debt or not.

An applicant remains on the scheme for 12 months and before the 12 month anniversary they will be contacted to reapply.

The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £18,278.
Households with child dependants may be eligible for an additional income allowance in excess of this amount.

You could get up to 90% off the average Severn Trent bill.
The Big Difference Scheme will assess your household income when you apply.
That assessment determines how big a reduction you're able to get.

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Ofcom - Cheaper broadband and phone packages

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Ofcom - Cheaper broadband and phone packages

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Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes. Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom

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Find ways to save energy in your home

If you own a property you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

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If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

For each recommendation you can see:

an estimated cost of making the improvement

how much you could save on your bills

next steps if you want to make the improvement

There's different advice on reducing your household's energy use if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Visit Home Energy Scotland if you want advice for Scotland or visit NI Direct if you want advice for Northern Ireland.

You'll need to give as many details as you can about your property that may affect its energy efficiency. This includes:

the type of house it is

when it was built

what insulation there is in the floor, walls and loft space

whether it has single, double or triple glazed windows

If your property has an energy performance certificate, you can enter your address and get help to answer the questions.

Get help using the online service

You can get phone support if you need help using the online service. This could be if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Essential Broadband is Virgin Media O2’s broadband social tariff for customers in receipt of Universal Credit. The tariff provides 15Mbps at a fixed price of £12.50/month on a 30 day rolling contract. The company waives early termination fees for customers who move to Essential Broadband from other tariffs. Universal Credit Broadband For Those On Low Income (virginmedia.com)

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Vodafone offers VOXI for Now which is the only mobile social tariff to help those experiencing financial hardship stay connected. The £10 per month plan supports anyone claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, and includes unlimited 5G data, as well as unlimited calls and texts. There is no contract or credit check and customers can pause or cancel anytime.

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Octopus Energy recently doubled its OctoAssist Fund, for customers struggling with their bills, to over £5 million.

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Central England Co-op are helping members and customers in their communities shop locally for less. With offers for members including discounted lunchtime meal deals and exclusive pricing on everyday essentials. As well as budget friendly recipe ideas available as a playlist here: https://bit.ly/3Csd76B.

For more in-store deals visit https://bit.ly/3SBTb6T

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Iceland are offering a number of cost saving initiative’s, including weekly discounts, product deals and frozen prices which are available in store, including £1 price freezes across 100s of lines for 2022, a weekly discount offering over 60s 10% off on Tuesdays & most recently The Iceland Food club, a partnership launch with Fair For You, to help families manage rising costs. There is also more to come in Autumn and into Christmas! Find out more here: www.iceland.co.uk/doing-it-right

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Sainsbury’s have introduced budget-friendly meal ideas to feed a family of four for less than £5. The recipes are available on the Recipe Scrapbook at Sainsburys.co.uk.

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Children aged 16 and under can get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day in Asda cafés across the UK, 7 days a week, with no minimum adult spend. Asda are extending this offer to the end of 2022

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Morrisons are offering a free meal for 1 child under 16 when buying an adult meal with a value of £4.99 or over at in-store cafés. No end date has been announced for this deal. And if you are struggling with the cost of sanitary products you can go to any Morrisons customer service desk and ask for a package for ‘Sandy’ or a ‘period product pack’ to be given a free discreet envelope with sanitary products.

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BBC family meal plans for £1 per head, including vegetarian and vegan plans and other nutritious but affordable recipes here.
Family £1 recipe meal plan - BBC Food

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Meat and fish
□ 1 small whole chicken (around 1.3kg/2lb 14oz)
□ 3-4 rashers smoked bacon
□ 250g/9oz minced beef
□ 8 pork sausages

Tins, packets and jars
□ 400g mixed beans in chilli sauce
□ 400g tin red kidney beans in water
□ 400g tin green lentils
□ 400g tin chopped tomatoes
□ 2 x 400g tins baked beans
□ 145g tin tuna chunks
□ 250g/9oz long grain rice
□ 550g/1lb 4oz pasta shapes (ideally 250g/9oz penne and 300g/10½oz pasta shells)

Condiments
□ ½ tsp soy sauce (preferably dark)
□ 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
□ 4-5 tsp wholegrain mustard

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Meat and fish □ 1 small whole chicken (around 1.3kg/2lb 14oz) □ 3-4 rashers smoked bacon □ 250g/9oz minced beef □ 8 pork sausages Tins, packets and jars □ 400g mixed beans in chilli sauce □ 400g tin red kidney beans in water □ 400g tin green lentils □ 400g tin chopped tomatoes □ 2 x 400g tins baked beans □ 145g tin tuna chunks □ 250g/9oz long grain rice □ 550g/1lb 4oz pasta shapes (ideally 250g/9oz penne and 300g/10½oz pasta shells) Condiments □ ½ tsp soy sauce (preferably dark) □ 3 tbsp tomato ketchup □ 4-5 tsp wholegrain mustard

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Community Fridge Network (hubbub.org.uk)
Nearest to Tamworth on 22/11/2022 is: Office No 8 Tamworth Business Enterprise Centre, Coorporation Street, Tamworth B79 7ND (Community Together CIC)

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Community fridges are places for everyone to save and share surplus food for free. We now have over 300 across the UK! Find your nearest fridge, set up your own or learn more.

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Staffordshire County Council has worked in partnership with Family Action to produce very simple recipes for you to try and that are low cost to make as well as weekly Free School Meal ideas and shopping lists.Each of the recipes include familiar ingredients that you may find in your cupboards, they are simple to follow for the most novice cooks and children can also get involved.  We also have videos available for some of our recipes, all of which have step by step instructions that are easy to follow.
Family Hub HomeZone Cooking | Staffordshire Connects

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If you're on a low income and receive certain benefits, your child can get free school meals.

School meals are a good way to make sure your child eats well at lunchtime and can save you time and money.
Overview - Free school meals - Staffordshire County Council

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If you claim certain benefits and your child gets free school meals, they can attend activities in the christmas, easter and summer holidays and get a meal, all for free.

The Holiday Activities and Food scheme is funded by the Department for Education. We've teamed up with local organisations to offer a wide range of activities where children can try new things, make new friends, work on arts and crafts, cook and play sport, as well as getting a meal. Holiday Activities and Food - Staffordshire County Council

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Food banks often stock period products for those who need them. Free period products are also available in some supermarkets, bars and restaurants. Look out for signs displayed in the building, often in the toilets.

Morrisons have a scheme for anyone to get some free period products – simply ask for ‘Sandy’ at customer services and you’ll get a discreet bag of items.

Many schools offer free pads and tampons through the government’s period product scheme. If your child’s school or college doesn’t already use this service, share the link with them to register.

There are several charities that help with period products:

Period poverty charity.

Free Periods charity.

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COOKING ON A BOOTSTRAP – by Jack Monroe, bestselling author of 'A Girl Called Jack'

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by Jack Monroe, bestselling author of ‘A Girl Called Jack’

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The Hub, Tamworth Befriending Centre,
The Old Swimming Baths, Opposite The Tennis Courts,
River Drive, Tamworth. B79 7ND

https://www.facebook.com/Community-Together-CIC-183493855006710

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Search for unsold food near you
Too Good To Go

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Stop food waste in your business and start saving your surplus food with Too Good To Go.

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Places of Welcome is a growing network of local community groups providing their neighbourhoods with places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute. Places of Welcome are run by local community groups who want everyone in their neighbourhood to have a place to go for a friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation if and when they need it. Places of Welcome

St Editha's Church, Tamworth (Thursday 2pm-4pm)

St Editha's Close
Church Street, Tamworth, B79 7BX

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4531/

Tamworth Library (Thursday 2pm-4pm)

Corporation Street
Tamworth, B79 7DN

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Libraries/branchlibraries/TamworthLibrary/TamworthLibrary.aspx#ad-image-0

Newlife Methodist Church (Tuesday & Saturday 10:00 -12:00)

Aldergate
Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7DJ

https://www.tamworthandlichfieldmethodist.org.uk/churches/tamworth/

Tamworth Castle Bowls Club
Ladybank, Tamworth B79 7NB

https://www.tamworthcastlebowls.co.uk/

St Francis Church, Leyfields Mondays and Thursdays 10:30 - 12:00 (Term time only)

Masefield Drive
Leyfields, Tamworth, B79 8JB

www.stfrancischurch.co.uk

New Life Methodist Church (St Andrew's), Leyfields

St Andrew’s Methodist Church Thackeray Drive Leyfields Tamworth B79 8HY

https://www.tamworthandlichfieldmethodist.org.uk/churches/st-andrews/

Tamworth Baptist Church Monday 9am -12
Derwent, Belgrave, Tamworth, Staffs, B772LD

http://tamworthbaptists.org.uk/

Self Sufficient Children, Tamworth Tuesday 4pm-6pm

Community Allotment Land
209 Lichfield Street, Fazeley, Tamworth B78 3QF.

https://self-sufficient-children.ueniweb.com/

Bancroft Community Centre Tuesday & Thursday 10am-2pm

207A Bancroft
Glascote, Tamworth, Staffs B77 2EX

https://bancroftcentre.com

St Peter's Church, Tamworth (Friday 9am - 11am term time only)

Hawksworth
Off Silver Link Road, Tamworth, B77 2HH

Amington Church, St Editha's (Thursday 2pm-4pm)

Amington Church
The Green, Amington, Staffordshire, B77 4AD

https://amington.church/

Manna House Coffee Shop - Tamworth Elim Church (Tuesday& Thursday 11am-1pm)

258-264 Glascote Road
Glascote, Tamworth, B77 2AT

http://www.tamworth-elim.org.uk/

Wilnecote Congregational Church (Wednesday 2pm-4pm)
Glascote Lane, Wilnecote, Staffs, B77 2PH

https://www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/service.page?id=khKJCCXCdQc

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Places of Welcome is a growing network of local community groups providing their neighbourhoods with places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute.

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Get help with the cost of living If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and cost of living payments. Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
Drop in running at Sacred Heart Church Mondays 9.30-13.30pm.

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Community together CIC front desk support

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Community together CIC front desk support

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Open Monday & Wednesday 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
If you are a family who needs a helping hand please let us know by emailing babybank@sparkburntwood.org or messaging the page https://www.facebook.com/Spark-Baby-Childrens-Bank-113306133913761

Spark Springhill

Springhill Academy, Mossbank Avenue, Burntwood, Staffs, WS7 4UN

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Shelter -Housing advice - benefits and money problems

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Shelter -Housing advice - benefits and money problems

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https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits

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Benefits and money problems - Shelter England

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Get help with the cost of living. Find out if universal credit or housing benefit can help pay your rent and get answers to common debt and benefits problems.

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A resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health.

You can use it to help guide conversations with your relevant healthcare worker about your mental health and money. You can also take it with you to any money or debt advice appointments you might attend.

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/toolkit/

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The Mental Health and Money Toolkit is a resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health.

You can use it to help guide conversations with your relevant healthcare worker about your mental health and money. You can also take it with you to any money or debt advice appointments you might attend.

*If you're a healthcare professional wanting to use the Toolkit with your patients, click here for further information.

Download Toolkit

How to use the Mental Health & Money Toolkit

Why use the Mental health and Money Toolkit?

The Toolkit will help guide mental health and money conversations with your healthcare worker or debt adviser. It was co-produced with people with lived experience of mental health and money difficulties and healthcare professionals who support people to manage their mental health and money.

The Toolkit can help you:

Understand the relationship between money and mental health.

Learn self-help techniques for managing your anxiety and mental health around your money worries.

Take control of your finances.

"This toolkit is such an essential first step in knowing that there is something to turn to if you're struggling..."

"Money and mental health issues can be so challenging to talk about because of the stigma associated with it. This toolkit is such an essential first step in knowing that there is something to turn to if you're struggling, and in showing that you can ask for help without judgement or embarrassment. It's great. "

- James - Lived experience of mental health and money worries

"...an excellent resource to support those experiencing common mental health difficulties."

"This guide is an excellent resource to support those experiencing common mental health difficulties in understanding the relationship between wellbeing and money difficulties as well as providing lots of practical tools to help manage things themselves."

- Charlotte Maxwell-Davies - Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

What's in the Toolkit

The Toolkit is split into different sections, allowing you to choose which ones are relevant to you. We recommend everyone completes Section 1 first. You don't have to go through the resource in one go; you can come back to it at any time.

1. Mental health and money: Where to start

2. Getting ready to take action

3. Understanding your finances

4. Navigating the benefit system

5. Support

6. Signposting and appointment planner

Download your free

Mental Health and Money Toolkit

Download the Mental Health and Money Toolkit to help you understand, manage and improve both your mental and financial health.

This interactive digital PDF allows you to work through the document on any device and save what you have entered each time. Next time, open your saved PDF and continue your journey.

Download Toolkit

Download the Toolkit activity sheets

These activity sheets feature in the full Toolkit, but you may wish to print them off individually to work through. They cover confidence building, self-care, problem-solving, bill prioritisation and income and outgoings.

Mental health and money advice

In addition to the Toolkit, we have several in-depth articles which can help you better manage your mental health and money situation.

Relationship between mental health and money worries

Understand the links between mental health and money, how it affects you, what the impact might be and how to manage the situation.

Welfare benefits advice

Applying for benefits with a mental health condition can be daunting. Our easy to understand guides explain everything from a mental health point of view.

Managing money advice

Managing your money can be difficult, and your mental health can suffer if you're are dealing with money worries.

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The Mental Health and Money Toolkit is a resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health. Download your free toolkit today.

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Cost of living hub, Fact sheet library and sample letters. Call for free debt advice on: 0808 808 4000 or Webchat with an adviser.

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

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Free Debt Advice and Support | National Debtline

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Get free, confidential debt advice from an independent England and Wales debt charity. Call, chat online, or use My Money Steps for expert support today.

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https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/use-our-debt-advice-locator

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Debt Advice Locator | Syndication | MoneyHelper

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This tool provides free, confidential help and debt advice services across the UK. Find out how you can embed the tool on your website.

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Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service

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Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service

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Help for any type of emotional problem, or physical symptoms that can cause emotional distress. The most common symptoms we help are those of anxiety, low mood, and physical conditions that cause fatigue, pain or restrict people’s lives in some way.
https://staffsandstokewellbeing.nhs.uk/

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Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies – Free & Confidential Talking Therapy