Many will struggle this winter, with the recession, the cost-of-living crisis and rise in energy bills, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. However, there is lots of support out there, whether you need a help in hand to pay the bills, looking for somewhere to warm up, a donation to put food on the table or would just like to see a friendly face. We have outlined the support that’s available in Bath and the surrounding areas (2022) that will be so integral to so many. So please forward and share this list far and wide to friends, family members, and neighbours who may need support.
Government Support
As of December 2022, the following payment schemes are available
|
Who? |
What? |
When? |
|
Everyone |
£400 energy bills support scheme |
From October 2022, over 6 months |
|
Households on means tested benefits |
Up to £900 cost of living payments |
TBC – in the 23/24 financial year |
|
Pensioners |
£300 cost of living payment |
TBC – in the 23/24 financial year |
|
Disability benefit claimants |
£150 cost of living payment |
TBC – in the 23/24 financial year |
|
Council Tax bands A-D |
£150 discount |
Now |
Energy & Bills
Most energy companies now have a fund to help anyone who is going through hardship. Contact them directly to see how they can help.
British Gas Energy Trust
You don’t have to be a British Gas customer to benefit from the energy trust grant. It can help clear domestic gas and electricity debts to struggling households.
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/
Bristol Water
Offer a number of different payment/assistance schemes to help you pay your water bill.
Centre for Sustainable Energy
Advisors cover the Bristol and B&NES areas to advice on how you can save on your energy bills.
Priority Services Register
Your energy supplier could give you free support and extra services to those in vulnerable situations. You can find out if you are eligible directly from your supplier, and common eligibility includes the elderly, or those with young children in the household. Ofgem provides a good overview (link below).
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/get-help-your-supplier-priority-services-register
Somerset Energy Saver
Helping people in the area reduce their bills and learn more about what financial assistance is available.
https://somersetenergysaver.co.uk/
Somerset Household Support Fund
Provides short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as paying for energy and water bills.
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/somerset-household-support-fund/
Wessex Water
Apply for a reduced water bill based on your ability to pay.
https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/your-account/help-paying
Heat the Human
Money Matters
Bath Mind
Offering support to those experiencing mental health issues because of finances.
CAP – local centres in most areas
Free advice to anyone in debt.
Citizens Advice – local centres in most areas
Provide people with the knowledge and confidence they need to find a way forward, whoever they are.
Https://www.citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk/
Debt Free South-West
Offer free, independent debt advice regardless of how large or small the debt problem is.
Freeways Support Service
Short term service for adults with learning disabilities or dual mental health diagnosis who need support with debt and other money matters.
Money Adviser Network
A free service in partnership with Bristol City Council, offering independent money and debt advice.
https://adviser.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Somerset Financial Well-being Project
Free financial well-being information for anyone who lives or works in Somerset.
https://www.westcountry.org.uk/SFWP
South Bristol Advice Services
Independent charity giving free, confidential, and impartial advice on debt matters.
https://www.southbristoladvice.co.uk/
St John’s Foundation
Supports members of the local community in B&NES who are in financial need with access to funds and support.
Housing
B&NES Affordable Warmth Grant
A small amount of money is offered to cover insulation measures and repairs to heating and windows. Funding is available to B&NES residents who have a household income of less than £30,000 and have less than £30,000 in savings.
https://wecr.org.uk/bnes-affordable-warmth-grant/
Bristol Law Centre
Offers free legal advice, specialising in housing and homelessness.
https://www.bristollawcentre.org.uk/
CHAS Bristol
Community-based advice support and advocacy service, for anyone in the Bristol and surrounding areas experiencing housing issues.
https://www.chasbristol.co.uk/
Second Step Floating Support B&NES
Free service for those with mental health problems who are either finding it difficult to manage their tenancy or need support to start a new tenancy.
https://www.second-step.co.uk/
Shelter
Get free help and advice with housing issues.
https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
Streetlink
Connects people who are sleeping rough with the correct local homelessness outreach team to access support.
https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
Wiltshire Housing Solutions
Service for people in housing need including homelessness. Provides advice and information on notices from landlords and mortgage lenders, possessions proceedings, rent arrears, mortgage arrears and other housing issues.
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/housing-housing-solutions-contact-details
Wiltshire Law Centre
Offer free legal advice to alleviate poverty and disadvantage in relation to housing matters.
https://wiltslawcentre.org.uk/
Food
B&NES Food Finder Website
Find organisations providing affordable or emergency food parcels for those who meet the qualifying criteria.
https://www.banesfoodfinder.org.uk/
Bath Vegan Food Bank
Provider of free vegan food and other essential items to those in need in the BA1, BA2, BA3 & BS31 postcode areas.
https://www.facebook.com/BathVeganFoodBank/
Fair Frome Food at Five
Fair Frome offer nutritious meals to anyone on benefits or a low income (they can also cater for various dietary requirements). Just turn up at 5pm on Monday’s (The Key Centre), Wednesday’s (Cricket Club) and Thursday’s (Trinity Church Hall). Anyone that is in a position to help, ysou can also download the free ‘Bank the Food’ app to see what donations are needed.
https://fairfrome.org/food-bank/
Edventure Food & Frome Community Fridge
Edventure Frome provide food on Thursday’s between 4pm – 6pm at the Welshmill hub. The community fridge is open to all, simply show up and help yourself to what you need.
https://edventurefrome.org/ & https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/sustainability-and-resilience/waste/community-fridge/
FoodCycle
Offers free community meals to all
Bath – Wednesday’s from 7pm. Walcot Methodist Chapel, Nelson Place, Bath, BA1 5DA. - https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-bath/
Bristol Barton Hill – Saturday’s from 1:30pm. Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX. https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-bristol-barton-hill/
Bristol Easton – Wednesday’s from 7:30pm. Easton Christian Family Centre, St Jude’s, Bristol, BS5 0SQ. https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-bristol-easton/
Keynsham Food Club & Keynsham Community Fridge
The food club costs £1 per year for your family to become a member, then once you’ve joined you can buy a bag of food every week worth £15, for £3.50. The community fridge is hosted inside Temple Street Canteen and allows anyone to take what they need for free.
https://keynsham.foodbank.org.uk/2021/07/17/food-club/ & https://www.facebook.com/KeynshamCommunityFridge
Oasis Hub Bath
Supplying low cost, hight quality food each week to local residents who are on a household income of less than £18,000 per year and are within a 15-minute walk of their local Oasis pantry.
https://www.facebook.com/OasisHubBath
Olio App
Allows you to find a network of people offering free food to their community.
Penny’s Pantry Batheaston
Weekly drop-in sessions are held on Wednesday’s between 10:30-12:30. Light refreshments are available at affordable prices, and life-long products, fresh fruit and vegetables may also be available dependent on donations. The café, which the pantry runs alongside, asks for a £3 donation in which up to 10 products can be selected for purchase.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Pennys-Pantry/100063538512212/
Radstock Foodies Club
Provides its members with a range of healthy food at low prices. Apply on their website.
http://radstockwestfield.org.uk/radstock-foodies-club/
Somerset Villages & Community Agents
Offer meals and food boxes to anyone that requests them, regardless of their financial situation. Contact your local village agent to access free meals – 01823 331 222
https://somersetagents.org/help-with-food/
Too Good to Go App
Café’s, restaurants, and shops offer surplus food at a low price.
https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb/
Trowbridge Future Community Fridge
3 Community Fridges are located in Longfield, Seymour and Studley Green, re-distributing unsold food from local supermarkets and a bakery.
https://www.trowbridgefuture.org.uk/current-projects
Weston Welcome Café and Food Club
Enjoy a 3-course lunch every Monday between 12:00 – 2:00, then join the food club to choose what you need from their wide selection of food.
https://westonhub.org.uk/Groups/357183/Weston_Welcome_Cafe.aspx
What is the cheapest way to cook?
Warm Spaces
Bath Warm Spaces Directory
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/warm-places-list
Bristol Warm Spaces Directory
Frome Warm Spaces Directory
https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/community/cost-of-living-crisis-support/
Wiltshire Warm Spaces Directory
Transport
Co-Wheels Car Club
Car sharing scheme providing a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to owning a car.
Frome Community Drivers
Volunteer drivers working to help people access the things they need safely and cheaply.
https://www.activeandintouch.org/frome-community-drivers/
Patient Transport Advice Centre
For Somerset GP patients who need transport getting to their NHS appointment.
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/health/patient-transport/
Local Councils
There is also extensive help on most council’s websites. Please see below the links below to Bath council and the surrounding areas:
B&NES
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/cost-living-support/cost-living-support
Welfare support - https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/apply-welfare-support
Bristol
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-and-communities/cost-of-living-support
Welfare support - https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-financial-help/local-crisis-prevention-fund-emergency-payments-and-household-goods
Mendip
https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/10943/Get-help-with-the-cost-of-living
Welfare support - https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/10947/Financial-hardship-support-available
Somerset
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/cost-of-living-support-in-somerset/#Local-Support
Welfare support - https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/somerset-household-support-fund/
Wiltshire
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6672/Local-practical-help
Welfare support - https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-help-crisis
You may not need this information today, but if there’s anything these past few years have taught us is that anybody can struggle regardless of their previous financial situation. If you are in a position where you can help, or donate your time or money to any of these organisations, please take a look on their website for details, I’m sure they would appreciate it.
All information correct as of December 2022
