Cost of Living Crisis
MVA aim to respond to issues affecting the VCS and the people they serve - and the Cost of Living is a rising priority for our local communities
Support in Medway
MVA works at the heart of Medway’s communities and in response to Cost of Living pressures, we have been collecting information about the support that is currently available to residents in Medway.
Please note we are not responsible for any third-party websites; however we have tried to search for trusted sources where possible.
Last updated on 7th June 2023.Support from the Government
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Low Income Household Funding information | This link provides what low income households are expected to receive from Spring 2023. | Weblink |
| UK Government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme | There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Please click on the link to find out if you qualify | Weblink |
| Get Help with savings if you are on a low income (Help to Save) | Help to Save is a type of savings account. It allows certain people | Weblink |
| End Laptop Poverty | End Laptop Poverty is a consultancy, but working with Government to distribute donated laptops. The website has details of about a dozen partner charities/CICs across the UK that distribute all sorts of tech in their local area - some only focus on particular groups. | Weblink |
| HM Government | Government help with childcare costs for parents. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support. | Weblink |
Support from Medway Council
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Medway Council's Help for Households | Guidance and resources from Medway Council (Including information on Council Tax reductions, debt advice, help with childcare costs and food and energy bills). | Weblink |
| Medway Council | Household Support Fund. The Houshold Support Fund provides support to culnerable Medway households. Funded by the UK government, the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with significantly rising living cost. | Weblink |
Support with Finances
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Citizens Advice Medway | Providing free, impartial and confidential advice, including a Money Advice Service, Energy Advice and advice for working out a budget. |
Tel: 01634 383 760 (Medway) Tel: 0800 144 8848 (National) |
| Family Action | Provides practical, emotional, and financial support to families who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation. | Tel: 020 7254 6251 (Head Office) |
| Home Start Medway | Offers non-judgemental, practical and emotional support to families who have at least one child under the age of five. Our financial fitness champions are trained to support and guide families with money concerns. | Tel: 01634 570717 |
| Salvation Army | Offering practical help for people without discrimination, with services including budget and debt advice, food banks, and assistance with homelessness. |
Strood: Tel; 01634 723 310 Tel: 01634 843 689 chatham@salvationarmy.org.uk |
| Dealing with Debt | While we are in the midst of the cost of living crisis, a concern amongst households is how to avoid debt or if we are in debt how to avoid it spiralling out of control. Step Change is a charity dedicated to assisting people with debt concerns. | |
| Christians Against Poverty National (Medway) | Help with debt, with the New Enquires team who will arrange your first appointment with your local Debt Coach. | Tel: 0800 329 0006 (to be connected to a local advisor) |
| MVA’s Financial Capability Skills | A range of information and support to help you to build your confidence and knowledge to more effectively manage your finances. | Weblink |
| Strood Community Shop | If you're struggling to manage your finances as the cost of living rises, then this could be for you. | Weblink |
| StepChange | Emergency Help If You Have No Money Or Food. StepChange - A cash crisis can happen to anyone. At StepChange Debt Charity, we've got free advice and resources if you urgently need help | Weblink |
| The Fuel Bank Foundation | The Fuel Bank Foundation is the only UK charity to focus on the challenges of people living in fuel crisis. They provide emergency financial support through their network of partners and identify people who cannot afford to pre-pay for their fuel or energy. | Weblink |
| Citizens Advice Medway Social Tariffs | A list of social tariff providers with details of each, links to them and advice. Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. | Weblink |
| Citizens Advice Medway Crisis Hub | In response to the crisis, charities have had to adapt in order to help those in need. The Citizen's Advice Bureau has created a cost of living crisis hub on its website to provide crisis support to those who need it. | Weblink |
| Gingerbread | Money in an emergency - Payday loans aren’t the only option if you need money urgently. You might be able to get a budgeting loan, hardship payment, short term benefit advance or even a grant. | Weblink |
| British Red Cross | Get help with money problems | British Red Cross - You can also call our Support line on 0808 196 3651 (10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm Wednesday). | Weblink |
| Turn2us: Fighting UK Poverty | Turn2us: Fighting UK Poverty - Turn2us wants everyone to have financial security. · Check your benefit entitlement | Weblink |
| Moneyhelper | Help if you're struggling to pay your gas or electricity bill - Local help to pay energy bills | Weblink |
| Contact - For families with disabled children | Help with household bills - Contact a Family - There are a number of schemes and grants to help you with water, fuel and other utility bills. Find out whether you're eligible and how to apply. | Weblink |
| Crosslight Advice | Crosslight Advice provide face-to-face debt advice together with money education and budgeting support to individuals and families in need. | Weblink |
| MacMillan Cancer Support | For any questions around cancer, work, money or life - Macmillan is here for you, online and by phone. | Weblink |
| Debt Advice Line | Here at Debt Advice Line we are sensitive to each person's unique situation and debt levels. We treat you as an individual and provide you with the most appropriate debt solution available. Our aim is to alleviate your money worries and if appropriate help you write off a portion of your debt. | Weblink? |
| Disability Assist | If you have a child under the age of 16, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to help with the extra costs of looking after them. Disability Assist only supports disabled adults in Kent and is unable to assist children. However, we receive numerous queries from parents so we have collated a list of resources which may be useful for you. | Weblink |
Support with Accessing Food/Other Support
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Medway Foodbank | They can provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. | Tel: 01634 757 057 |
| Gillingham Street Angels | Usually have free food available Monday-Saturday 9am – 1pm | Tel: 01634 855 608 |
| Hygiene Bank Medway | Collecting donations of hygiene & cleaning essentials and working with local community and schools partners to distribute the products to those in poverty or needing support across the Medway Towns. | Weblink |
| Brompton Community Store | Usually have free food available Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3pm. | Tel: 01634 844711 |
| Charity Of Thomas Stevens | Funds from a charitable trust are used to buy food and fuel for the poor who have lived in the Parish of Cuxton for a minimum of two years. | Email: flick.foreman@talktalk.net |
| Gillingham Sick Poor Fund | To provide assistance to the poor, sick and needy of the ancient parish of Gillingham. | Email: robin.baker@medway.gov.uk |
| Cliffe And Cliffe Woods Community Trust | Provides grants or items to relieve hardship or distress in the Parish of Cliffe-at-Hoo. | Tel: 01634 220422 |
| High Halstow Relief In Need Charity | To provide relief to residents in the Parish of High Halstow who are in need or hardship, by making grants of money or goods and services. | Tel: 01634 250 258 |
| Instone Limited | The relief of poverty, need, hardship or distress of residents of Medway and Kent. | Tel: 07920290061 Email:admin@nashharvey.com |
| Strood Relief In Need Charity | Can provide grants, items or services to relieve the needs of elderly residents of the ancient parish of Strood who are suffering hardship or distress. | 01634 719 377 Email: mary.jordan5@btinternet.com |
| Gillingham Street Angels School Uniform Bank | School Uniform Bank | Gillingham Street Angels - Our mission is to support our local community with a free school uniform clothing bank swap shop | Weblink |
| Gillingham Street Angels Refill | We have now become members of the FREE water refill scheme so you can get a free tap water refill, bring your own water bottle to any of the below sites to refill, for more information on the refill scheme please click HERE Gillingham Street Angels - Welcome to our Free water refill information page | Weblink |
| Meal Right Now | 5 Smart, Simple Ways to Save Money on Meat Right Now | Weblink |
| NHS Healthy Start | Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start) - Can I use my Healthy Start card to withdraw money from an ATM or request cashback? I do not want to buy milk, fruit, or vegetables | Weblink |
| British Heart Foundation | 10 simple ways to eat well and save money - With many of us currently feeling a financial pinch, saving money on our food shop can make a real difference. Read our dietitian's tips for shopping and cooking healthily for less. | Weblink |
| FareShare | FareShare Kent redistributes surplus food to charities and community organisations working with disadvantaged people across the region. | Weblink |
| Shelter | Emergency grants, loans and money help | Weblink |
| Advicenow | Social fund payments - Advicenow - I'm broke and need emergency support ... If you've been struck by disaster or have run out of money and can't afford essentials like food or heating, | Weblink |
| Family Food Bank | Medway FFB - Family Food Bank | Weblink |
| Medway Community Primary School | Payments for school milk - COOL MILK - register your child for school milk, if you are on certain benefits | Weblink |
| Cross Light Advice | Weblink | |
| Second Chance Medway | Working in the Community for the Community providing; Crisis Support including; Domestic Violence, MH, Benefits, Debt & Budgeting Skills, Grants and a Food Aid Project. | Weblink |
| Southern Water | Need help with your water bill? Southern Water can help. | Weblink |
| Hands of Hope Foundation | Food support in Medway | Weblink |
| The Hope Centre, Rochester | Food support in Medway | Weblink |
| Time for the Homeless | Food support in Medway | Weblink |
| Christ Church Luton | Food support in Medway | Weblink |
| Nigerian Community Association Kent and Medway | Food support in Medway for Nigerians | Weblink |
| Open House Project - Bodhicharya | We offer soup, sandwiches, drinks and biscuits to up to 70 guests and usually have takeaway bags and clothes to give away. The project is open to guests between 2pm and 4pm every Saturday and for longer periods over Christmas. | Weblink |
| One Big Family - Medway | Our soup kitchen seeks to help anyone who needs hot, nutritious food & a helping hand. With a friendly atmosphere, and plenty of hot food, drinks, clothing, toiletries and bedding available. We offer three weekly delivery of food parcels and essentials to people in need who are referred by other agencies (eg Social services, accommodation providers, DWP etc). | Weblink |
Warm Spaces in Medway
We will add details for any further ‘warm spaces’ as they become available. If you are aware of one not listed here, please feel free to email us at info@mva.org.uk
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Medway Council | Medway Council is currently working with warm welcome which supports organisations to open their doors to provide warm spaces. For more information click on the first link. For organisations looking to engage in this please see the email address for the relevant department at Medway Council. | Weblink healthimprovement@medway.gov.uk |
| Online directory of national ‘warm spaces' | A ‘Warm Space’ is a free, warm, welcoming, and safe space, which members of the community can access if they are in need. | Weblink |
| Local Warm Space | St Justus Church, Rochester - Warm Welcome Space (Tuesdays, 103.0-14.00 - Free 'Brew, Soup, Bread') | The Fairway, Rochester, ME1 2LT Tel: 01634 818353 |
| Local Warm Space | MHS Homes provide a series of warm spaces. | For a list of schemes and opening times please call 01634 565333 or contactus@mhs.org.uk |
Support with Heating Your Home
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| OFGEM | This guide will help you find energy grants and schemes that can reduce your bills. Ofgem’s rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford and you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t top up. | Weblink |
| Medway Council’s Keep Warm & Well Leaflet | A free download providing tips and recipes for keeping warm. | Weblink |
| Energy Saving Trust | Aiming to help you save money on your bills at the same time as reducing your carbon footprint. | Weblink |
| Top 10 tips - Energy Saving Trust | Their top ten ‘quick wins’ for reducing your energy use. | Weblink |
| Money Saving Expert | Energy Saving Tips that everyone can take from, this website regularly gets updated. | Weblink |
| Age UK | Advice for reducing energy use. | Weblink |
Support with Mental Wellbeing
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust | Information on local support and services available for people experiencing mental health difficulties. | Weblink |
| Samaritans - Medway | Medway Samaritans provide support to people in Medway, with local call handlers. Please Note: Whilst call handlers are local, if they are busy, you may get a call handler from outside the area. | Tel: 0330 094 5717 |
| Mind | When you're living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information is vital. |
To Contact North Kent Mind: 01322 291380 |
| Sway Money & Mental Health Advice Service | The Money and Mental Health Service (supported by the Suicide Prevention Programme and delivered by Citizens Advice) is delivering impressive financial and mental wellbeing outcomes for the clients they support. |
If you know someone who has both financial and mental health concerns please email: referral@catwd.org.uk |
| The financial impact of depression and grief | Depression and grief affect many areas of your life and this includes your finances. We take a look at how to make sure your money situation doesn't add to your worries when you're going through such a difficult time. | Weblink |
Support for Specific Communities
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| Age UK Medway | Provides a range of support and care services for older people in the Medway area. Committed to providing high quality services enabling older people to live safely and independently in their own home. |
Email: Tel: 01634 572616 |
| Carers First | Carers First support adult and young carers to access information and resources, advocacy. |
Email: info@carersfirst.org.uk |
| Medway Diversity Forum | A membership organisation for ethnic minority groups in Medway that provides access to information and resources, training, governance and organising cultural/cohesion events |
Email: office@memf.co.uk |
| Home Start Medway | Providing guidance and support for families with a child under 5. | Tel: 01634 570717 |
| Mutual Aid Road Reps | Volunteers have reached out beyond their front doors to help bridge the gap of isolation with simple kindness and friendship and have provided invaluable information to every home in Medway. | Tel: 01634 907045 |
Additional Support
| Support/Resource | Description | Weblink/Telephone Number |
| This link highlights support on the National level, with links to help with Energy Bills, Household Costs and links to support on discounts and offers. | Weblink | |
| If you are or were a member of the armed forces, The Royal British Legion is giving out Cost of living Grants. This link provides all of the information on their website on how to claim. | Weblink | |
| The Cost of Living Crisis is a new opportunity for fraudsters and scam artists. The Co-Operative Bank has come out with a list of common threats to be aware of. Click on the link to find out more. | Weblink | |
| Hardship Fund from MHS Homes, they provide a one off grant between £20 to £400. This is only available to MHS homes and Heart of Medway Customers. | Weblink | |
| During the Cost of Living Crisis, it is predicted unfortunately that Domestic Violence will increase. Please see the link to how TSB Bank and other banks are helping victims of Domestic Abuse with regards to their bank accounts and other ways to assist. | Weblink | |
| The Kent Community Foundation has launched a grant where professionals can nominate an individual or family who are suffering through financial hardship. If you know someone who needs to be nominated, please click on the link. PLEASE NOTE – Grants are not always provided and your nominee may not receive the funds. | Weblink | |
| Social tariffs for broadband are discounted deals offered by various broadband providers to support households on low income or in financial hardship. KCC provide details about social tariffs to help people access cheaper deals and possibly save eligible households around £150 per year. | Weblink |
If you are a VCS organisation, we have a dedicated page of resources that may help you and your organisation - click here to visit this page.
Keep an eye on our events listing page found here, as there may be some local support events that could be useful to you. If you have something to add to the events page as well, please submit an event.| VCS Emergencies Partnership | This cost-of-living insights bulletin focuses on the how rising costs are affecting health outcomes, detailing the individual and systemic problems faced by those disproportionately impacted | Weblink |