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COST OF LIVING CRISIS

We know the recent rise in daily living expenses has become a worry for a lot of people so we have drafted up a few useful resources to help:


Foyle Foodbank

Phone us 02871 263699 or 07716129788

Email us - foylefoodbank@gmail.com

Website https://foyle.foodbank.org.uk/


Advice NI

If you are in financial crisis and live in Northern Ireland, please call 0800 915 4604 for free (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) to talk confidentially with a trained Advice NI adviser. They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. The advisers can also provide specialist debt and budgeting advice to people calling the line. https://www.adviceni.net/


Apex Community Supermarket

Apex Community Supermarket is a social supermarket providing support for local families experiencing food poverty. We are a membership scheme whereby for £5 a week, you will receive around £25 worth of groceries and support tailored to your individual needs. Members have access to a range of fresh, frozen, dried and tinned foods.

Contact us: Telephone: 028 7130 4800

Email: communitysupermarket@apex.org.uk

Website: https://www.apex.org.uk/support/apex-community-supermarket/


Employers for Childcare

Employers For Childcare is a Social Enterprise & Charity. We work for and with parents, employers and childcare providers across the UK. Our charity’s Family Benefits Advice Service provides free, impartial and confidential advice to parents to help you maximise your income and inform you of your rights and entitlements.

Contact us: Telephone - 028 9267 8200 Freephone: 0800 028 3008 Email - hello@employersforchildcare.org Website: https://www.employersforchildcare.org/


Society of St Vincent De Paul

Contact us: 34 Williams St, Derry, BT48 6ET

Tel: 028 – 7126 8325 447

Website: https://www.derrydiocese.org/diocese/organisations-outreaches/society-of-st-vincent-de-paul


Family Support NI

Information on a wide range of family support services and registered childcare provision in Northern Ireland.

Contact us: Family Support NI, Health and Social Care Board, Gransha Park House, Gransha Park, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6FN

Tel: 0845 600 6483

Website: https://www.familysupportni.gov.uk/


The Salvation Army

Email address: londonderry@salvationarmy.org.uk

Phone: 028 7126 4895

Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/


NI Direct

Nidirect is the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens. Nidirect aims to make it easier to access government information and services. It does this by working closely with Northern Ireland departments and other public bodies to collate key information based on users' needs.

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/


Sure Start Maternity Grant

Sure Start Maternity Grant is a welfare payment in the United Kingdom. If you are receiving certain benefits or tax credits, you could get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-off £500, tax-free payment to help towards the cost of maternity expenses and baby items. You do not need to pay it back.

Please see link for more information - https://www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant/how-to-claim


Healthy Start

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you:

· Buy healthy foods like milk or fruit

· Get free vitamins

You need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify. If you're pregnant and under 18 you can claim even if you do not receive any benefits.

Please see link for more information - https://www.gov.uk/healthy-start


Discretionary Support

You may be able to get help towards short-term living expenses or household items. If you are in an extreme or exceptional situation or you are in a crisis you can apply for help from Discretionary Support. Depending on your personal circumstances, you could be offered either an interest-free loan or a grant that you would not have to pay back.

Discretionary Support can help with:

· short-term living expenses (for example to buy food)

· the cost of buying, repairing or replacing basic household items (for example a cooker)

· travel expenses (in limited circumstances)

· rent you have to pay in advance to a landlord other than the NIHE

Please see link for more information - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/discretionary-support


Job Assist Centre

Job Assist Centre is a confidential service aimed at helping you find the best way forward for employment and training. No appointment necessary.

A private, confidential, no obligation programme

An assigned Mentor who will stay with you

throughout your duration of the programme

Better Off calculations

Education and pre-employment training and vocational guidance

Help with CV building, Job Search, Interview techniques and Filling out application forms

Continued, on-going support

Employment opportunities

Advise on Tax Credits, Universal Credit and housing costs.

Facebook page - https://en-gb.facebook.com/jobassistcentrederry/


Job Apply NI

If you are currently unemployed, the job apply Ni website will help you search for careers suited to your preference.

Contact us: 02890 909327

Email: jobapplyni@communities-ni.gov.uk

Website: https://www.jobapplyni.com/


Free School Meals / Uniform Grants

Some families are entitled to extra support with meals and uniforms for school.

Please see link for more information - https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants/apply-for-free-school-meals-uniform-grants





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