Request support from the Helping Hand Team
Our Helping Hand team are available to help individuals or families in need, those on low incomes and those who are experiencing a financial emergency or crisis
Help with the cost of living (Helping Hand)
Help with heating, bills and home essentials
Get support with energy and water costs, broadband packages and essential items. Includes the Energy Bills Support Scheme and guidance on saving energy at home
Help buying or accessing food
Organisations and schemes that can help you find food, including food banks, community fridges and food voucher schemes
Benefits, debt and money advice
Get support and advice if you're struggling to pay Council Tax or rent or you have debt and money problems
Cost of Living Payment (GOV.UK)
Guidance from GOV.UK on getting an extra payment to help with the cost of living
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Our HAF programme provides free holiday activities and hot meals for children from reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals
Household Support Fund
Find out how the Household Support Fund supports vulnerable households and how it's funded
How you can help others
If you can help support others struggling with the cost of living, consider being part of Buckinghamshire's 'community food chain' by making a donation, volunteering your time or supporting our initiatives.
Find a place to keep warm (Welcoming Spaces)
Welcoming Spaces give you somewhere to keep warm, access support and save money on heating costs
Help for housing association tenants
How your housing association may be able to support you with the cost of living
Help finding employment
We can help you if you're struggling to find a job or need new skills
Help looking after your mental health
A list of organisations, websites and helplines that can help if you're struggling with your mental health
Using public and community transport
Find out about public and community transport options to help you travel in a greener, more economical way
Community toolkit: register as a Welcoming Space
Guidance on what to consider when setting up a successful Welcoming Space
Toolkit: reducing food waste at home
A toolkit to help you cut down on food waste and save money on your food bills
Toolkit: hot meal provision for groups
Help and advice to help you set up your own community-based hot meal scheme
Help for businesses
Find out about the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) for non-domestic customers and how you can get support this winter