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.

https://www.bristolwater.co.uk/home/account-and-services/bills-and-payments/get-help-with-paying-your-bill

 

Centre for Sustainable Energy

Advisors cover the Bristol and B&NES areas to advice on how you can save on your energy bills.

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice

 

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.

https://www.bathmind.org.uk/resources/information-and-tips/moneyandmentalhealth/?fbclid=IwAR09jJ1TP1qURZ7nmPMtyqYe_HW75JbzNtrPKVEvH0RQYKwongXS-1UjJsI

 

CAP – local centres in most areas

Free advice to anyone in debt.

https://capuk.org/

 

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.

https://debtfreesouthwest.uk/

 

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.

https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/supporting-adults-live-independent-lives/financial-support/money-support-and-advice/freeways

 

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.

https://stjohnsbath.org.uk/

 

 

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.

https://olioex.com/

 

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

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-and-communities/welcoming-spaces/find-a-welcoming-space?tab=WelcomingSpaces

 

Frome Warm Spaces Directory

https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/community/cost-of-living-crisis-support/

 

Wiltshire Warm Spaces Directory

https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMWU5MzUyYjgtOTllMy00ZDlkLTlmMzYtM2Y4OTRlMzE3NjczIiwidCI6IjU1NDZlNzVlLTNiZTEtNDgxMy1iMGZmLTI2NjUxZWEyZmUxOSIsImMiOjh9&pageName=ReportSectionc894cab5f45ce9d20f9e

 

 

Transport

Co-Wheels Car Club

Car sharing scheme providing a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to owning a car.

https://www.co-wheels.org.uk/

 

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

 

 

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