With the cost of living continuing to rise, these are extremely difficult and uncertain times for everyone. Trying to get the correct information about which support and services are available to you and what you can access or are entitled to is not always straightforward; this can make the process very stressful and confusing.
Over the past few weeks, we have carried out lots of research, trawled through many websites and contacted lots of organisations for information on services they provide that our Oldhill families can access. Below you will find the information we found as well as things we are running or can help with here at school. We really hope you find it useful.
Whatever your situation, we are here for you, so the most important thing is to not suffer in silence, come and speak to us. Remember we will do everything we can to help.
Please click a button below to scroll down to the section you need
Gas and Electricity
If you are struggling with the cost increase, get in touch with your energy supplier to find out whether they can help you reduce your bill, with things like paying by monthly direct debit or signing up for an online tariff. There are also other things you can do.
You can ask your supplier for:
- A review of your payments and debt repayments
- A reduction in your payments or a payment break
- More time to pay
- Access to hardship funds
Energy bills support scheme
The government will be giving every household in Great Britain £400 off their electricity bill. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme. You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
If you are in receipt of certain benefits or on a low income, CAB can provide emergency top up vouchers to use if you have prepayment meters. We have a CAB surgery here every Friday and you can book an appointment through the school office.
Turn off appliances when not in use to save money
British Gas has compiled a list of devices and how much they cost to keep on standby per year:
- Modem/internet router – £18.89
- Microwave – £16.37
- Games Console – £12.17
- Computer – £11.22
- Shower – £9.80
- Smart speakers/smart home devices – £8.94
- Dishwasher – £6.86
- Tumble dryer – £4.79
- Washing machine – £4.73
- Printer – £3.81
Turning off all devices and appliances when not in use will save money over the year. Read more tips here from The Energy Saving Trust: Quick tips to save energy at home – Energy Saving Trust
Support With Food
My Hope – Food Bank at Oldhill Community School
We have a food bank running at school every Wednesday, 5-7pm in the lower hall. This is free for everyone, just turn up on the day and bring a bag!
Clapton Commons Community Feast
A free monthly community meal with entertainment for over 50s held at Liberty Hall on Clapton Commons. For more info please call: 07932328898
The Good Place Pantry (Northwold Community Centre)
Get £20+ worth of food for just £6.50. Includes: tins, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables, treats, toiletries and meat. To book your time slot, please visit: www.n16boilerhouse.com/book-now
Carib Eats
Partnering with Hackney Council, Carib Eats will bring a new pilot community lunch to our senior residents in the local area. If you or members of your household are aged 50+, join for a DELICIOUS FREE MEAL, and get support to DEVELOP YOUR DIGITAL SKILLS and make the most of your smartphone or tablet.
Mondays 12.00-3.00pm at St Thomas Church, 1 Clapton Terrace, E5 9BW. For more info and to book a place call 07958060947.
Bags of Taste Hackney
Want to learn how to cook easy and low-cost tasty recipes? Bags of Taste Hackney offers qualifying residents a free, delivered, ingredients bag and course materials, containing the food for 7 meals (3 recipes) and all materials required to participate in their 2-week course.
Call or text 07788 651 042 or email hackney@bagsoftaste.org
Food Bank vouchers:
https://hackney.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/foodbank-vouchers/
Food Banks, food parcel collection points and hot meals
Click here for a range of places across Hackney that offer food, regular meals and food parcels once you have a food bank voucher: Local Places To Get Free Food | Hackney Foodbank
Stokey Community Food Shop
Get your weekly food shop for as little as £4. Members can choose from a range of high quality fresh and non-perishable good, including culturally appropriate food at an affordable price. Running every Tuesday 12.00pm – 2.30pm at Catholic Church OF Our Lady of Good Counsel, 24 Beuverie Road, N16 0AJ.
Woodberry Aid Community food Shop
Get £20 worth of shopping for as little as £5. Members can choose from a range of high quality fresh and non-perishable good, including culturally appropriate food at an affordable price. Running every Friday 12.00pm – 2.00pm. Unit A, Hartingtons Court, Coster Avenue, N4 2WQ.
The Woodberry Down Community Fridge
Stocked with surplus fruit and veggies from local businesses and households and is open to everyone in the community to access. Redmond Community Centre Kayani Avenue, Woodberry Down, N4 2HF. Open every Monday from 12.00pm.
Warm Welcome at St Thomas’ Church
Enjoy visiting a warm and welcoming space, with
hot drinks, homemade food and friendly company.
Every Wednesday 9.00am to 2.30pm at St Thomas’ Church, Oldhill Street, London N16
Supermarket Shopping
Help to bring you cost to the supermarket down: Supermarket shopping tips: tools & tricks to slash food bills– MSE (moneysavingexpert.com)
Did you know you could freeze these?
https://realfood.tesco.com/curatedlist/things-you-didnt-know-you- could-freeze.html
Compare prices with Trolley.co.uk
Compare 15+ supermarkets, discover daily deals, and create smart shopping lists to save as much as 30% on your next grocery trip https://www.trolley.co.uk/
Recipes for cooking on a budget:
All our budget recipes | BBC Good Food
Cooking On A Budget | Budget Recipes | Tesco Real Food Budget Meals
https://recipes.sainsburys.co.uk/scrapbooks/budget-friendly-recipes
Family Support
Services are tailored to the individual needs of the family. They work with families who are in isolation or experiencing depression, stress or other mental health issues, financial difficulties, housing issues, legal and immigration problems, parenting issues as well as families who are trying to improve their home circumstances and life chances.
To speak to a Family Support Practitioner, please contact the school office on 0208 806 4130
Apps and websites
Olio
OLIO – The #1 Free Sharing App (olioex.com)
Give and get free things, free food from Tesco, borrow and lend household items and shop homemade – all directly from your community.
Trash Nothing
A free platform for people to give away their unwanted, but reusable items to others. Items include: Appliances, furniture, household items and much more.
Freecycle
A grassroots and entirely non-profit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills.
Ferris
https://www.ferrisapp.co/freecycle-london
Share second hand items, save money and help the environment.
Too Good to Go
Too Good To Go | Too Good To Go
The “Too Good to Go” app allows you to buy fresh, quality food for a fraction of the price. You go on the app, and in minutes, you can find a place near you and get a Mystery bag for a bargain. It’s perfect for people with tight budgets looking to save money, but who still miss going to restaurants and cafes.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
The cost of living crisis will raise stress levels – from the looming dread of increased energy bills to the day-to-day struggle of trying to make ends meet. It is important we look after ourselves and take steps to manage our well-being.
Qi Gong Sessions for Parents
We will be holding these sessions at school, come and join this gentle and mindful practice that will help you to exercise overall health, lower stress levels and bringing with it a sense of wellbeing. Sessions will take place:
June – Friday 17th, Friday 24th and Tuesday 28th
October – Tuesday 4th and Tuesday 18th
November – Friday 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th
9.00am – 10.00am, in the lower hall.
More sessions in 2023 coming soon…..
WellMind
WellMind is a free NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help you with stress, anxiety and depression. The app includes advice, tips and tools to improve your mental health and boost your wellbeing.
WellMind on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/wellmind/id918138339
WellMind on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.runninghill.wellmind&hl=en&gl=US
Family Action
There are times in all our lives when we have difficulties and need some emotional or practical support as individuals, couples or families. Family Action works to tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today – including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation, learning disabilities, domestic abuse or substance misuse and alcohol problems. Read more: What we do – Family Action (family-action.org.uk)
Free sanitary products at Morrisons
If you are struggling with the cost of sanitary products you can go to any Morrisons customer service desk and ask for a package for ‘Sandy’ or a ‘period product pack’ to be given a free discreet envelope with sanitary products
Walkingtogether
It’s a programme of weekly and monthly walks around Hackney, delivered in partnership with the Ramblers. There are limited spaces on each walk and its based on a first come first served basis. Some walks are restricted to older people or those who are managing certain health issues such as diabetes or a stroke.
To register or check the walks available visit walks and walking groups or call 0208 356 3111.
Healthier Together Hackney
The programme offers weight management and physical activity to support people in achieving their personal goals of losing weight or becoming more active. To join, people need to be over 18 and either a Hackney resident or registered with a Hackney GP. They can be referred to the service by their consultant, GP, practice nurse or any other health or social care professional who will need to complete a referral form.
Contact us on 0203 903 7245 or HTHS@gll.org
The New Age Games Programme
A sport and physical activity programme for Hackney residents aged 50 and over. It can help increase the amount of exercise you do and sustain it, contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Check for the latest programme of activities by calling our prioritise support line on 020 8356 3111 or visit http://hackney.gov.uk/new-age-games
Find Support Services in Hackney:
Find Support Services (hackney.gov.uk)
City and Hackney Wellbeing Network:
Offering high-quality free support to help people prevent the onset of mental health problems and alleviate issues such as stress, anxiety and low mood. http://www.centreforbetterhealth.org.uk/city-and-hackney-wellbeing-network
A further range of services, mainly in Hackney, that can offer support and advice on a wide range of issues relating to mental health either for you, a family member or someone you know: https://hackney.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/additional-support-in-hackney/mental-health/
Increase in Petrol and Diesel
To find the cheapest petrol station in your area: https://www.petrolprices.com/
Advice on how to save on fuel, from the AA: How to drive economically – Eco-driving tips | AA (theaa.com)
Make your car more fuel efficient: Cheap petrol & diesel: Cut prices & improve fuel efficiency | MSE (moneysavingexpert.com)
Free family “learn to ride” cycling lessons: https://joyriders.org.uk/newpageadb94f02
Essential Items for Children
Drop-in Bring and Swap clothes
The last Friday of each month At Woodberry Down Children’s Centre, Spring Park Drive 10.30am- 12pm. Call Donna or Durrah on 020 8815 3270 for more information.
Young Planet App
Young Planet is an app that enables parents to put no-longer-used children’s things to good use with new families and away from landfill, for free. https://www.youngplanet.com/
Hackney Family Centre Baby Bank
Can provide clothing and shoes (up to age 5), essential baby equipment — including a safe place to sleep for your baby/child, bedding, a sling, a buggy, feeding and bathing equipment, toys and books, nappies and wipes. Referral required – please contact Family support or Michelle.
Oldhill Uniform Swap Shop
We have a small selection of used, but in very good condition uniform. If you are in need of any uniform for your child, please speak to Michelle.
If you have any uniform that’s in good condition that your child has outgrown, we would be very grateful if you could donate it, so another child can benefit from it.
We will accept: jumpers, cardigans, trousers, dresses, blazers, ties, PE kit, black shoes and black trainers/plimsolls.
Please can you wash any clothing before donating so it is in a condition to go to someone straight away.
Please leave any donations at the school office for attention of Michelle.
Links to additional support and services
Hackney Council support scheme: https://hackney.gov.uk/discretionary-crisis-support-scheme
Help at hand: A guide to the support available for Hackney residents during the cost of living crisis: https://oldhill.hackney.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HDS15880-Cost-of-Living-Booklet-6.pdf
Check you are on the benefit you are entitled to: Benefits – Citizens Advice
Support with debt: Debt and money – Citizens Advice
Help for Hackney residents: https://news.hackney.gov.uk/more-residents-can-now-get-help-and-support-from-hackney-council/
Money saving tips: Cost of living advice and tips – Which?
Support services in Hackney: Find Support Services (hackney.gov.uk)
Additional Services: Additional Support In Hackney | Hackney Foodbank
Warm Spaces
Warm Welcome at St Thomas’ Church
Enjoy visiting a warm and welcoming space, with
hot drinks, homemade food and friendly company.
Every Wednesday 9.00am to 2.30pm at St Thomas’ Church, Oldhill Street, London N16
Morning: self care 9.30 & 10.30 – Gentle movement, Yoga and Qi Gong
Lunch: 12.30 – delicious soup
Afternoon: 1.30 – Community Care, Arts & Crafts, DIY and Gardening
Laburnum Boat Club
A friendly and warm space for young people to socialise, have a snack, and do homework and sports activities.
It is totally free, open to all 9-18-year-olds 3pm – 5pm Monday to Thursday. The club can provide specialist support for young people with disabilities. Drop in or, please contact them on 0207 729 2915 to find out more.
Location: Laburnum Boat Club, Laburnum Street, London E2 8BH
Volunteer Centre Hackney
Volunteer Centre Hackney are running a social club on Fridays, between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.
Everyone is welcome, it is totally free and running until the end of March.
Drop in for a chat and a cuppa anytime and stay for as long as you like. Free activities and classes every week. Hot drinks and snacks are available all day. Information & sign-posting to support services in Hackney. Guests can play board games and access arts and crafts, use the free WiFi and charge phones and other devices.
Meet neighbours, have fun, speak to volunteers about any support you may need and spend an hour or a day out in a warm and welcoming space.
Location: Stamford Hill Community Centre, Stamford Hill, London N16 6RS
