Cost-of-living support

You may receive a letter or text from us about Pension Credit, Healthy Start, Attendance Allowance or PIP if we think you might be eligible but haven't claimed it.

Get help locally

You can get financial support and advice at the following community spaces:

• Deptford Family Hub SE8 5NH, every Tuesday, 9am to 3pm for those who have children and young people between 9 and 19 (or 25 with SEND).
• St John the Baptist Church SE6 2RP, every Wednesday, 12 noon to 2pm
• 999 Club SE8 4PA , every Wednesday, 10am to 2pm
• Perry Rise Baptist Church SE23 2QL, every Thursday, 12 noon to 2pm
• Christchurch United Reformed Church, SE6 3HQ: first and third Monday of the month, 2pm to 4pm
• Waldron Health Centre, SE14 6LD: second and fourth Monday of the month, 2pm to 5pm
• All Saints Hatcham Community Centre, SE14 5DJ: Wednesdays, 10am to 3pm
• St John the Baptist Church, SE6 2RP: Wednesdays, 12 noon to 2pm
• Perry Rise Baptist Church, SE23 2QL: Thursdays, 12 noon to 2pm
• Anerley Town Hall, SE20 8BD: first Thursday of the month, 9am to 1pm
• King’s Church London – Catford, SE6 4PS: second Thursday of the month, 10am to 12 noon
• South Lewisham Health Centre, SE8 5NH: second Thursday of the month, 2pm to 5pm

Food support

Lewisham is home to a range of projects offering food support for people facing financial difficulties. Use the links below to see what services are available near you.

Listing is not an endorsement – check with the project directly regarding their service to see if it's a good fit for you and your needs. Please note that services may change. Most of the borough's food banks are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations from the public.

Call Community Connections Lewisham on 0330 058 3464 Mon to Fri 9.30am to 4pm) for help to find the best option for you, along with links to other support

For financial support and advice call Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453 Mon to Thurs 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5 pm) or visit Worrying About Money.

• Food bank donation and distribution points
• Good Food Lewisham free, low cost food and community meals
• Lewisham Local community meals and food bank provision

Food support definitions

Food bank: somewhere that provides free, emergency food for people in need; the food is usually non-perishable items such as pasta, tins and cereal, and some foodbanks also offer fresh food such as fruit and vegetables - some foodbanks including Lewisham Foodbank need you to have a referral before you visit so please check to see what information they require

Community meal: these are services that provide ready-made food - some of these offer a space where you can sit in, connect with the local community, and have a meal/hot drink; the meal is either low-cost or free, and there are also services which offer pre-made meals to take-away

Social supermarkets or pantries: These are member-run supermarkets offering food at a low-cost (usually around £4-5 per shop)

• some charge a small membership fee per week, and in return you can do a free weekly shop
• for others, joining as a member is free, and then you are charged a small amount for each shop you do
• others need you to book an appointment to visit and do a low-cost food shop

Coping with money worries

• Advice Lewisham can be reached on 0800 231 5453 for enquiries about benefits, housing, debt, employment, immigration, family & consumer issues
• you can also speak to the independent organisation Money Helper online or call 0800 138 7777 for free, confidential advice
• use the online worrying about money form, and see what support is available for you locally in Lewisham
• you might be missing out on money that you are entitled to. Visit BetterOff Lewisham to find out what benefits or grants you can get
• Lewisham Plus Credit Union can help you with savings and affordable loans
• Complete a free course on managing your money
• The Mayor of London has made many forms of support available for Londoners, from free school meals to skills training and money advice - find out what you are entitled to
  

Help with household bills

• get energy advice and support from our partners at South East London Community Energy (SELCE)
• if you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit you could switch to cheaper broadband or phone packages from OFCOM
• get help and support in reducing and paying your water bill on CCW
• check if you are eligible to get help with your energy bills
• find out how we’re using the Household Support Fund to support residents

Help with employment and training

• see if you’re entitled to reduced fees on Lewisham’s Adult Education courses
• contact Lewisham Works, a free service to support unemployed residents in to good jobs

Extra support if you have children

• if you're pregnant or have a young child, check what help you can get to buy food and milk with the NHS Healthy Start
• some two-year-olds are eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare per week – learn about free early education for two-year-olds
• some working parents of three- and four-year-olds can also apply for up to 30 free hours childcare per week
• the Bank of Things in Unit 19 at Lewisham Shopping Centre provides everyday necessities (not food) to young people aged 11 to 25
• check online if your child is entitled to free school meals

Health and well-being advice

• Community Connections Lewisham provide options for help and can link you up to support services (Available Monday to Fridays 9.30am to 4pm on 0330 058 3464). Visit their website to find additional support available in Lewisham, including advocacy services, digital support and more
• Mental Health & Money Advice provide practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money
• NHS Help with Health Costs scheme – if you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for things like NHS prescription charges
• the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme provides advice, treatment and medicines for minor illnesses from your local pharmacy and the medicines offered are free of charge if you don’t usually pay for your prescriptions – find out more from your local pharmacy

Housing support

• get housing advice, find somewhere to live or get help with homelessness

Staying warm support

• if you're over 65, on a low income, or have a long term health condition or disability, you can sign up for a support package to help them keep warm in the colder months – see if you are eligible for the scheme
• see if you're eligible for Warm Home Discount scheme – you could receive £150 off your winter electricity bill

Support for veterans

• financial And employment support - Royal British Legion

• benefits and concessions for the armed forces, veterans and their families - Citizens Advice

Other support

• simple cremation packages for cost-effective funerals

How you can help

• support Lewisham Foodbank – donate at lewisham.foodbank.org.uk
• volunteer with Lewisham Local to help at local food banks and other support initiatives