Support This Winter
With Christmas approaching and the colder weather it can be a stressful time for lots of families, you’re not alone and help and support is available.
Below are links to a range of support, from cost of living, mental health, food banks and more.
Benefit Calculator Tool & Support Grants
Turn2US
Turn2US is a great source of information and has a range of services including searching for a grant to purchase white goods and can connect you to local charities who can provide things such as baby supplies and baby clothes.
Visit https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ and select ‘Get Support’ at the top of the page.
Check what benefit entitlement you are entitled to. The entitledto benefits calculator will check which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, visit https://www.entitledto.co.uk/.
Tips for a more affordable Christmas and New Year
You might be worried about the cost of the festive season or getting into unaffordable debt. There are ways to make your money go further:
free and low cost food in Southwark
Get a range of cost of living advice including help with household costs such as energy, water bills, broadband and mobile tariffs, childcare costs, employment and training, wellbeing and more. Find out more.
Warm spaces for residents in communities across Southwark
Heating our homes can be expensive. Drop into a local warm space such as one of our libraries which offer free Wi-Fi.
Find a warm, free and welcoming community space in Southwark to spend time, and at some locations get cost of living advice, free hot drinks and food.
Food banks
Food banks are run by community organisations. They collect donations of non-perishable food and give it out as emergency aid to members of the public who are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity, or people who have no recourse to public funds.
Southwark Pecan food banks
Pecan works using a voucher referral system. To get help from one of Pecan’s food banks, you'll need a voucher issued by a local agency before arriving at a centre.
Contact them by:
emailing foodbank.support@pecan.org.uk
calling 020 7732 0007
Spring Community Hub food banks
Spring Community Hub works on a voucher referral system. Contact them by:
emailing office@springcommunityhub.org
calling 07901 617 189
Southwark Council Community Support
What They Do:
Emergency Food: Provide food parcels and connect you to local food banks like Pecan.
Wellbeing: Offer links to mental and physical health support.
Financial Hardship: Direct you to emergency grants and benefits advice.
Information: Provide translated support and links to local services for families and vulnerable adults.
How to Get Help:
Phone: Call the Southwark Council line at 020 7525 5000, then choose option 3.
Online: Use the Southwark Council Community Support Alliance referral form for requests.
First Step for Food Crisis: If you need immediate food help, contact the Alliance first for foodbank or shopping assistance.
The Southwark Community Support Alliance will be able to organise food banks or shopping help and can link you up to help and support the community.
Food pantries
Food pantries are shops that provide low-cost food. To use a food pantry you need to become a member. Members can buy a variety of healthy foods at a subsidised price. Membership tends to cost around £4 per shop, which allows you to get around £15 of food.
Peckham Pantry, Peckham Park Road (Pecan)
49-53 Peckham Park Road, SE15 6TU
Peckham Pantry, St Luke's Church (Pecan)
St Luke’s Church, Chandler Way, SE15 6DT
Love North Southwark: Bermondsey Pantry
4-5 Slippers Place, Gataker Street, SE16 2EN
The Borough Food Co-operative
St George the Martyr Church, Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
Paxton Green time bank: Paxton Pantry
Unit 32 Seeley Drive, Kingswood Estate, SE21 8QR
Help With Food Costs
Help to get food if you can’t afford or access it
The Southwark Community Support Alliance can help vulnerable residents with food, mental and physical wellbeing, financial support and help translate information.
Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg
A weekly voucher scheme supporting pregnant women and families with young children in Southwark to access fresh fruit and vegetables.
Other financial help & Advice
Getting help for your energy bills
Benefits entitlement Calculators
Grants to improve your homes energy efficiency
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Get urgent mental health support
If you, or someone you know, is in a mental health crisis, contact the NHS South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 24-hour mental health telephone support line on 080 0731 2864 (option 1).
Samaritans is a confidential support service for anyone experiencing distress or despair - call 116 123 for free
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) has a helpline for anyone who needs help - call 0800 58 58 for free (from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year)
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support when you need immediate help - text “SHOUT” to 85258
Talk to your GP who can give advice on how to manage and treat your mental health
find guidance on managing mental health and money worries from NHS Every Mind Matters
visit the Mental Health & Money Advice service website for help with mental health and money problems
Help from Southwark Council
If the increased cost of living is affecting your mental health or the mental health of someone close to you, help is available. You can:
search for local mental health and wellbeing resources on the Southwark Wellbeing Hub, email the Southwark Wellbeing Hub team at southwarkhub@together-uk.org or call 0203 751 9684. Hub working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
read our guidance on how to take care of your mental health, which includes a list of mental health services , specific advice on family mental health and advice and information for young people
Visit the Community Alliance webpage for more information on the help the Community Support Alliance can provide. The Community Support Alliance can offer help with translation into other languages
Find money advice based on your circumstances
Southwark Council Cost of Living Fund is a scheme to provide financial support to families on a low income in the borough
Useful resources to help with mental health
Breastfeeding Support & National Helpline
Need help with breastfeeding? The National Breastfeeding Helpline is available 24/7, every day of the year, offering confidential, friendly support from experienced volunteer parents who have been there themselves.
Domestic Abuse Support
Read about the support available to you or a loved one here: Domestic Abuse Support