Cost of living support
Overall, nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK adults have been concerned about a friend, family member or colleague’s mental wellbeing, linked to money worries.
Common signs of financial worries can include changes in mood, irritability, trouble sleeping, anxious, stressed, feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn for help.Â
You can use the MECC approach to look out for these signs and enable people to access help, guidance and advice on mental health, debt and money management. There is a wide range of guidance available from the Money Helper website. Their details can be found in the ACT section under national services.Â
This section also provides local support and contact details for organisations that can help with the cost of living.
Very Brief Intervention
Ask
Do you have any worries relating to money, budgeting, borrowing or debt?
For Budgeting
How confident are you about a budget setting, sticking to it and how to save?
Did you know that Money Helper website provides a range of management tips, including how to set up a budget, sticking to it and how to save, would you like some further information on this?
For Debt
Did you know that the Money Helper website offers a range of free advice on anything that you might be struggling to pay for, would you like some information on this?
Did you know that there is lots of free debt advice services available across the UK, would you like further information on these?
For Borrowing
Before borrowing money have you considered if
- You need to spend the money
- You have other ways of financing the purchase, and
- You can afford to pay back the money you’re planning to borrow
If you need to borrow money, have you considered the cost of borrowing and where you would source this from?
The Money Helper service has advice on different sources of borrowing as well as advice on good debt and bad debt, would you like some further information on this?
- Empathise that its normal to worry about money issues but reassure that there is lots of free help available - See ACT section for details of other organisations that provide free debt advice
Assist
For Budgeting
Taking the time to manage your money better can really pay off. It can help you stay on top of your bills and save ÂŁ1,000s each year, would you like some helpful information on managing your money?
Beginner's guide to managing your money | MoneyHelper
For Debt and Borrowing
Would you like some information on that could assist you with paying for household bills?
Would you like some further information on the many different free and recommended debt advice service that are available either nationally or locally? - See Act section
- Re-assure them that the debt adviser will never judge them or make them feel bad about their situation and that they will work with the person to find way find ways to manage their debts even if they think they have no spare money.
- Re-assure them that most people who have get debt advice feel less stressed or anxious and more in control of their life again.
Act
The Money Helper Service (Government backed service)
Free and impartial money advice, set up by the government. Providing advice and guides to help improve your finances. They also have tools and calculators to help keep you on track and plan ahead. They provide support over the phone and online, via WhatsApp and Webchat. See their website for more details.Â
Telephone: 0800 138 7777
Website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Citizens Advice Service
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits, as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to.Â
To find your nearest Citizens Advice please click on the link below. Scroll down and enter your postcode or town to get contact details for your nearest Citizens Advice.
Telephone: 0800 144 8848
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/
National Debtline
National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They'll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.
Telephone: 0808 808 4000Â
Website: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
StepChange Debt Charity
StepChange helps change lives, helping you be free from Debt by getting your finances back on track. They will give you debt advice, a personalised plan to deal with your debts, while providing a wide range of debt solutions and services. Their expert advice is impartial and personalised to each individual situation.
Telephone: 0800 138 1111
Website: https://www.stepchange.org/
PayPlan
PayPlan's supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts. They understand the recent cost of living increases will be putting a strain on your finances. They can help in many ways, such as; with contacting people you owe money to and arranging lower payments to make things more affordable.
Their website has tools such as budget calculator's and tips to help you save money help you with budget and plan, to get you back on track.Â
Telephone: 0800 280 2816
Website: www.payplan.com
Debt Advice Foundation
Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.
Telephone: 0800 043 40 50Â
Website:Â http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/
Credit Unions
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.Â
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
Website: https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/
Christians Against Poverty – CAP
CAP offer free, expert debt help and they will support you all the way to becoming debt free. No matter how large or small your problem is. The first step is often the hardest, but it’s worth it. If CAP is not available in your area you can still other services available to you on their website. You can check if CAP provide support i your area by using their postcode search, follow the link here: CAP UK | Contact us
Telephone: 0800 328 0006
Website: CAP UK | Home
Local Support and Contact Details
Cornwall Council
Cornwall Council offer advice and support with the cost of living for residents of Cornwall. They provide lots of financial help for those struggling, free school meals, help with foods, tips for saving money and more.
Website: Support for residents struggling with the cost of living - Cornwall Council
Care & Support in Cornwall
The Care and Support in Cornwall website provides an online directory of support. This includes signposting to services to help with cost of living.
Website:Â Care and Support in Cornwall
Cornwall Food Banks
How to access a Foodbank in Cornwall
- Get in touch with your nearest foodbank, either by telephone or email and explain your situation. The foodbank will be able to tell you which referral agencies they work with in your area and how you can get a voucher.Â
Click here for Foodbanks in Cornwall
- Contact the referral agency specified by the foodbank, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher via email or discuss arranging a visit in person to collect, if they're able to.Â
- Take the voucher to your nearest foodbank centre to collect your food parcel.
Please note in most cases, you must have a food bank voucher to receive your food parcel.Â
If cost of living pressures are affecting your mental health please look at the Mental Wellbeing Topic showing support services in your area.
North Devon Council
North Devon Council provide support and advice towards the rising cost of living, please see their website for more information.Â
Website: Home | North Devon Council
East Devon District Council
If you’re in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from your local council. In most cases, you will be able to find the information you’re looking for on their website. This includes making payments, reporting issues, and making applications.
Website: Â Financial Support and Advice - Help with household bills - East Devon
West Devon Borough Council
West Devon Borough Council provide cost of living help, advice, and support. For more information, please look at their website. To help residents find help and support quickly and easily when they need it, they have created this directory of support services and charities operating in the South Hams and West Devon.
Website: Support Directory - West Devon Borough Council
Mid Devon District Council
There are several ways Mid Devon District Council can help and support you if you are in need due to the rise in the cost of living. They can help with food and energy costs and much more. Please look on their website or contact them direct for more information and support.
Website:Â Help with the cost of living - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK
Residents' Financial Support - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK
Exeter City Council
You can get help with the cost of living from Exeter City Council. They can help with food and energy costs and much more. Please look on their website or contact them direct for more information about what support may be available to you.
Website: Cost of living support - Exeter City Council
Torridge District Council
The rising cost of living is affecting everybody in Torridge in different ways. They can provide support those most impacted and including those who have not faced financial challenge before. This includes information about food and food banks, warm rooms access, energy, water and broadband, as well as help with bills and debt.Â
Website: Cost of Living Help | Torridge District Council
How to access a Foodbank in Devon
Please click on the link below which takes you to a list of foodbanks available in Devon, so you can find the nearest foodbank to you.
Food banks - Search Results | Pinpoint Devon
Get in touch with your chosen foodbank, either by telephone or email and explain your situation. The foodbank will explain how to access a voucher from local agencies they work with or offer you a food parcel directly, if they’re able to do so. Local agencies working with the foodbanks will request some details from you, before providing you with a voucher.Â
Once in receipt of this voucher you will be able to attend the foodbank to collect your food parcel. This is important as some foodbanks won’t help you unless you have a voucher.
Lots of foodbanks work in partnership with other agencies such as; Health Visitors, GP's, Job Centres, Citizens Advice Bureau etc. If you’re working with another agency already, it’s a good idea to check with them first if they can assist you in obtaining a foodbank voucher. Â
Volunteers at the foodbank may signpost you to other support agencies that can help you in finding a longer-term solution.
If cost of living pressures are affecting your mental health, please look at the Mental Wellbeing topic showing support services in your area.
Plymouth Online Directory
The significant rise in the cost of living is a concern for everyone. The Plymouth Online Directory (POD) makes it easy to find help with a wide range of issues, such as welfare benefits like universal credit, to where to go to get help with gas an electricity bills. It also has information on help with council tax, housing costs and food banks.
Website:Â www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/news/costoflivingsupport
Plymouth FoodbankÂ
In most areas to obtain food bank parcel you will need a foodbank voucher. This is usually done via self-referral to each local council. However, if you are currently being supported by a partner agency (such as a school, Citizen's Advice Bureau, Social Services, Housing Association, Salvation Army, Children's Services or Job Centre), please speak with them first. They may be able to support you with a voucher or direct referral.
Nobody should have to face going hungry. That's why Plymouth Foodbank can provide three days' nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred in crisis.Â
Contact details to obtain voucher:
- Citizen's Advice Bureau: 0808 208 2138
- Plymouth City Council: 01752 668000 - Option 1 then 3 for the Foodbank
Telephone:Â 01752 254981 to discuss collection
Opening Hours: Open for collections of food parcels (with foodbank voucher) Mon & Wed 1:30pm-3:30pm and Friday 11am-1pm
Email:Â info@plymouth.foodbank.org.ukÂ
Website:Â Plymouth Foodbank - The Trussell Trust
Address: Oasis Project, Manor Street, Plymouth, PL1 1TW
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Devon and Cornwall Food Action- DCFA
DCFA are a charity supporting those in need of food provisions. Support is not just available for those unemployed and on benefits, 82% of the individuals and families in receipt of their help are in paid employment. DCFA are not a food bank, but they are a food re-distributor to those in need, providing low-cost food solution. DCFA endeavour to help any individual, family or community who are suffering from food poverty or instability.Â
There is a cost at this time of ÂŁ17 +ÂŁ3 delivery this provides a standard box to feed family of 4 for approximately a week.
Telephone: 01752 651800
Email: info@dcfa.org.uk
Website: Devon and Cornwall Food Action - Devon & Cornwall Food Action
Facebook: Devon & Cornwall Food Action - DCFA - Home | Facebook (most up to date information)
Address: Unit 4 Porsham Close, Belliver Industrial Estate, Roborough, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 7DB
Referral Method:Â Self-referral and via some professional agencies
Plymouth Food Aid Network
The map below offers access to multiple charities, community groups and organisations who can provide food support across Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Use the 'Filters' option to find a specific group or enter the first part of your postcode to see what is available nearby.
Website: Food Access Map – Plymouth Food Aid Network (adoddle.org)
Quick links: Â Food Plymouth guide
If cost of living pressures are affecting your mental health, please look at the Mental Wellbeing Topic showing support services in your area.
Torbay
Torbay Council
Torbay Council understand the rise in the cost of living is making things hard for households. They want to support their residents to the best of their ability. If you need advice or urgent help, it’s out there and the sooner you seek it, the better. This can come from the Council, their other local partners, government schemes and programmes. There is a lot of information on the Help for Households website, which has details of benefits and grants available as well as discounts and promotions for national retailers.
Website: Help with the cost of living - Torbay Council
Torbay Food Banks- Torbay Food Alliance
How to access a foodbank Parcel in Torbay
To access a foodbank parcel you need to provide a foodbank voucher. If you are already linked in with a professional agency, firstly check if they are maybe able to assist with issuing you a voucher. Alternatively, please contact Torbay Community Helpline part of Torbay Food Alliance who will be able to advice you about the process and raise a foodbank voucher for you.
Telephone: 01803 446022
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm and 3pm to 6pm and Sat, 11:30am-12:30pm
Website:Â Torbay Community Helpline | Torbay Food Alliance
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Torbay Community Helpline
The Torbay Community Helpline doesn’t just assist with foodbank vouchers, it is a one-stop-shop for access to advice, information, and referrals to a whole range of support in the community. Call or use the online form on their website to ask for help or signposting about anything including; benefits, debt, and finance, housing issues, activities and groups in your area, mental and physical wellbeing, caring for someone, accessing training and skills, domestic abuse, volunteering.
Telephone: 01803 446022
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm and Sat, 11:30am-12:30pm
Website:Â Torbay Community Helpline | Torbay Food Alliance
Address: Please Drop in if you need to see someone face to face.
- Torquay: Community Cafe & Help Hub Temperance Street (down the slope next to McDonalds in Union Street). Open 10am- 3pm Mon-Fri
- Paignton: Community Help Hub at Paignton Library open from 9:30am every day except Sunday
Referral Method: Self-referral
St Mary Magdalene Church, Upton, Food Provision
The Living Room (community cafĂ©) offers a free hot meal, hot drinks, a warm space, a smile, and a listening ear. Donations are gratefully accepted but not expected. All are equally welcome. If referred by the Torbay Food Alliance, food parcels can be collected from the church on Tuesday afternoons.Â
Opening hours: Foodbank on Tuesdays 2pm to 5pm, and the Living Room Community Café Wednesday and Friday 10:30am to 1pm.
Website:Â The Living Room | St Mags Torquay
Address:Â St Mary Magdalene Church, Union Street, Torquay, TQ1 4BX
Referral Method:Â Self-referral or via professional
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South Hams
South Hams District Council
Provide cost of living information for residents find help and support quickly and easily when they need it. This includes local warm spaces, financial assistance, help with energy costs and support for vulnerable people. They have also created a directory of support services and charities that can help wide range of issues linked to cost of living, including foodbanks, mobility assistance, caring, mental health and more with operating in the South Hams and West Devon.
Website: Support Directory - South Hams District Council
South Hams District Council Foodbanks
South Hams District’s main Foodbanks are run via the Trussell Trust. It is a National network of Foodbanks, to find the nearest to you please be directed to the website link below.Â
Trussell Trust
As most Foodbanks the Trussell Trust work with referral agencies to issue food vouchers to those in need of emergency food in time of crisis. They know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for several different reasons.
Getting a voucher
The voucher referral system ensures you are provided with the right help and support for you. To get help from the Foodbank you will need to be referred with a voucher.
Referral Process
To provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. Each Foodbank works with different frontline professionals, like doctors, health visitors, social workers, and Citizens Advice. These professionals will be able to refer you to a foodbank and give you a foodbank voucher if they think you need emergency food.
If you are struggling to get a voucher and need help, please contact your nearest Trussell Trust Foodbank directly.Â
Using your voucher
Once you have been given a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days’ emergency food at your nearest food bank centre.
Website:Â Foodbanks - South Hams District Council
Teignbridge District Council
Teignbridge District Council understand the impact of rising energy, fuel, inflation, and food prices is being felt across the district, and more and more people need a bit of extra help or advice to stay afloat. It’s important everyone knows how to access support if they are struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.
Teignbridge Council work with organisations like Teignbridge CVS, Citizen’s Advice Teignbridge and local food banks to help you. If you are struggling, please contact the council or one of their partner agencies for advice and support on the links provided below.
Website(s):
- Cost of living help and support - Teignbridge District Council
- Cost Of Living | Support | Teignbridge CVS (teigncvs.org.uk)
- Citizen’s Advice Teignbridge
- Food banks - Teignbridge District Council
Teignbridge Foodbanks
Food banks provide the basic food requirements for households in financial crisis. They can also help with costs toward some essential services, such as electricity and gas.
Teignbridge Homeless Action Today-THAT
THAT provide high quality food packs put together from donated and bought food items. They include a large variety of foods - including tinned and fresh items - and some basic toiletries in each pack. Each pack is designed to last 8 days. Each pack varies according to the client's needs and what is in stock. Pet food and baby food are also available for packs, and they can supply gas and electricity top-ups.
They also provide special packs for clients who are homeless that contain items that can be prepared without the use of a cooker or kitchen equipment.Â
​You do not need a referral for your first request for help from THAT and they accept proof of receipt of benefit. For on-going support referrals are available from CAB, Housing Association, Council Housing Dept, Schools, Job Centre, Churches, Support workers etc. Please contact them for further details.Â
Telephone: 01626 437310
Opening hours:Â Mon-Fri 10am- 1pm
Email: thatfoodbank@gmail.com
Website: THAT Foodbank | Newton Abbot
Address: THAT Place, 8 Queensway House, Buckland, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4BA
Referral Method: Self-referral
Homeless in Teignbridge Support (HITS) Foodbank
Homeless In Teignbridge Support (HITS) foodbank provides support for anyone in need and homeless throughout Teignbridge. They need a referral from an agency such as the citizens Advice Bureau or Job Centre, who first assess your need. The referrer then phones HITS to follow process so the individual in need can then access a food parcel.Â
Telephone: 01626 906371 (office hours and out of hours emergencies)Â
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Email: info@hitsfoodbank.org
Website: Services – Homeless in Teignbridge Support (HITS) Foodbank (hitsfoodbank.org)
Referral Method: Self-referral
If cost of living pressures is affecting your mental health please look at the Mental Wellbeing Topic showing support services in your area.