Community Links

The following resources are a selection of useful links Kensa has identified that may provide support or provide means for those who wish to offer support.

Areas covered include: Finance; Energy; Food; Health & Wellbeing; Transport; Water.

To recommend a service for inclusion please email the sif_committee@thekensagroup.com

Financial Support & Fuel Poverty Signposting

Money Helper (Government)

Easy, free, clear and impartial money advice. It is recommended that you contact your local Money Advice Agency via Money Helper for help before applying for a grant. If you get advice, this will help your chances of a successful grant application.

Link: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/use-our-debt-advice-locator

 

IncomeMax (Charity)

Independent personal money advice to help identify ways to increase income, reduce bills and deal with any problem debts. They can also help overcome tricky obstacles like phone calls to government departments, claim forms and incorrect benefit decisions.

Link:  IncomeMax

0300 777 7772

 

Citizens Advice

National charity and network of local charities offering confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Support available includes:

Get help with the cost of living

Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

Get help with bills

Check if you can pay less council tax

How to read your smart electricity meter

Check what benefits you can get

Link: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848

Advicelink (Wales): 0800 702 2020

 

Age UK

Provide advice, companionship, and services to support older people, particularly those living in poverty or isolation.

Link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

0800 678 1602

 

National Debt Line

Run by national charity the Money Advice Trust, National Debtline offers practical self-help – empowering people in debt to speak to creditors directly and put solutions in place to resolve their debt problems. National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They’ll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.

Link: https://nationaldebtline.org/

0808 808 4000

 

National Energy Action (Charity)

An independent charity providing support for warm and affordable homes.

Link: https://www.nea.org.uk/get-help/

08003047159

Further Warm and Safe Homes Advice from the NEA charity available at https://www.nea.org.uk/wash-advice/additional-help/

 

Turn2us (Registered Charity)

Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Free support for those in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face-to face via partner organisations.

Link:  turn2us

0808 802 2000

 

Vulnerability Registration Service (Charity)

This is a Hub of connections to various Charities which support Money management, Debt advice and Mental health referrals.

Link:  Vulnerability Registration Service

024 7767 3992

 

Step Change

Free debt advice.

Link: https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/debt-advice.aspx

0800 138 1111

 

British Gas Energy Trust and Winter Fund

Individuals and families can apply for grants to clear domestic gas and electricity debts. Before applying to the Trust you must get money or debt advice first. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund.

Link: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/

 

Money Saving Expert

MoneySavingExpert.com is the UK’s biggest consumer website, with more than 16 million users a month. The site’s dedicated to cutting bills – highlighting deals, ways to save money, and campaigning for financial justice.

Link: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Food Bank Networks & Advice

The Trussell Trust

National Food Bank Network, which also provides practical support for people in crisis, to assist them to tackle issues. Local referrals.

Link – Trussell Trust (Food Bank and Crisis Support)

0808 2082138

Energy Efficiency Advice & Support

BBC News

Households with smart meters to be offered discounts on their electricity bills if they cut peak-time use on a handful of days over the winter, as part of National Grid’s efforts to avoid blackouts.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63483668

Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/smart-meters-how-they-work

 

Energy Saving Trust

Independent advice and information on energy efficiency solution.

Link: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/

 

Simple Energy Advice (England)

Government endorsed website for information regarding reducing energy bills, energy efficiency, grants and funding.

Link: http://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/  

0800444202

 

Community Energy Plus (Cornwall)

Community Energy Plus is an award-winning social enterprise that provides complete energy answers to help householders in Cornwall enjoy warmer, energy efficient homes as part of a more sustainable future.

Link: https://www.cep.org.uk/

0800 954 1956

 

Home Energy (Scotland)

A network of local advice centres covering all of Scotland. Their advisors offer free, impartial advice on energy saving, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel, cutting water waste and more.

Link: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/

0808 808 2282

 

NEST (Wales)

The Nest scheme offers a range of free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating, insulation, or solar panels for people in Wales.

Link: https://nest.gov.wales/

0808 808 2244

Charis Let's Talk Energy Fund

Charis manage financial grant schemes on behalf of energy companies, authorities and charities, including:

British Gas – https://charisgrants.com/partners/british-gas/

E.ON – https://charisgrants.com/partners/e-on/

E.ON Next – https://charisgrants.com/partners/eon-next/

EDF – https://charisgrants.com/partners/edf-energy/

Scottish Power – https://charisgrants.com/partners/scottish-power/

Ovo Energy – https://charisgrants.com/partners/ovo-energy/

Park Homes – https://charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes/

Utility Warehouse – https://charisgrants.com/partners/utility-warehouse/

 

To identify which schemes are currently open for applications, or those schemes which are coming soon, visit https://charisgrants.com/individuals/

Mental Health & Safeguarding Support

ASB HELP (Victims of Anti-Social Behaviour Support)

Charity in England and Wales set up to provide advice and support to victims of anti-social behaviour. Advice Guidance, community linking. National managed from a single Hub.

Link – ASB HELP

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably

CALM are taking a stand against suicide by standing together with everyone who’s struggling with life, no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through.

Link – The Calm Zone

0800585858

(Wales) 0800123737

 

Mind (Mental Health Support)

Organisation that is focused on Mental Health Issues, National Charity with Local signposting together with outreach support.

Link – MIND – Mental Health Support)

0300 123 3393

 

The Mix – Support for under 25s

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people providing support from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Engage via their online community, on social, through their free, confidential helpline or counselling service.

Link: https://www.themix.org.uk/

0808 808 4994

 

NSPCC – (Child Support)

Child Support referrals, Regional and National Hubs, with Localised signposting, including safeguarding and Mental Health.

Link- NSPCC – Child Support Service Hub

 

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call:116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

 

We Are With You

National Charity with local referral hubs offering free, confidential support to people in England and Scotland who have issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.

Link – We Are With You (Addiction and Mental Health)

Lift Sharing Initiatives

The following are some UK-based formal lift sharing providers that could help reduce your travel costs:

Saving Water Initiatives

Households across the UK can apply for free water-saving gadgets:

(Use the postcode checker to see if you’re eligible. Excludes Thames Water)