HAMPSHIRE
food support
THE TRUSSELL TRUST
The Trussell trust have links with more than 1,200 foodbanks across the UK. You will need a food voucher, given to you by one of the agencies that they work with. Services they provide include:
- Emergency food parcels (with a minimum of 3 days food)
- Financial help line
The Liphook Food Bank are a church run foodbank which provides weekly food parcels and signposting advice to a broader range of agencies and services to support those families and individuals who are struggling financially. You will need to contact them for information and to arrange for food parcels to be delivered.
Services included:
- Food Parcels (weekly)
- Signposting to other agencies that can help support you
Click here to visit their website (you will find contact information and location here)
CONNECT 4 COMMUNITIES
On Connect 4 Communities website, you will find a list of local pantries. Pantries differ from foodbanks as there is an offer to give a donation and you do not need a food voucher to access food.
CRISIS FOOD GOSPORT
Crisis food Gosport distribute food hampers to people in need of food support in their community. To arrange a hamper, you will need to contact them directly via phone, email or facebook message.
Services provided:
- Hampers of food- arranged prior to collection
Click here to visit their website (email and phone number in the top right corner)
talk to someone
CITIZENS ADVICE
Citizens Advice is the UK's largest advice charity. They provide around the clock free information and advice service which is completely confidential.
Services include:
- Free helpline (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Online help guide
- Web chat advice (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Video advice service (Tues-Fri 10am-12pm)
THE SAMARITANS
A free 24/7 phone line open to anyone. If you need to talk to somebody, you can call, email or write a letter. They also have a free app providing advice for self-help.
Services they provide:
- Free helpline with trained volunteers- immediate response
- Free Email chats- response within 24 hours
- Letters- response within 7 days
- Free app
STOP DOMESTIC ABUSE
Stop Domestic Abuse help all those affected by domestic abuse. They provide services to those affected by domestic abuse, working with and protecting victims.
Services provided:
- Helplines for Hampshire and Portsmouth.
- Refuge accommodation for women and children.
- Community based support for victims and survivors.
- Work with perpetrators and those using unhealthy behaviours in their intimate partner relationships.
Click here to visit their victim help page
GREEN DOCTORS
Groundwork’s Green Doctors offer free impartial advice and support to help you save energy, reduce your bills, and live in a warmer, more comfortable home. Their trained team of experts provide consultations on the phone or in person to share advice all about saving energy.
CARERS SUPPORT
Support for those who care for someone else. They run Support Groups, a Carer Response Line, help carers access useful equipment, provide funds or counselling so that carers can do something for themselves.
REFUGE
Supporting those who have experienced violence and abuse, no matter what your experience they’re here to support you. They run a range of specialist services to help survivors access safety and rebuild their lives.
MY SISTERS’ HOUSE
They offer a wide variety of services for any women, any age, any issue. From domestic abuse support to talk groups, they can offer services to help get you back on your feet and bring back your confidence and self-worth.
WORTH
WORTH specialises in domestic abuse support for people at high risk of harm as a result of domestic abuse.
CHANGE GROW LIVE (CGL)
Change Grow Live supports those who struggle with addiction and those who knows someone who does. Their mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
OK REHAB
OK Rehab are a Nationwide rehabilitation service for those struggling with addiction. They offer support on recognising addiction, fighting it and living in recovery for yourself or a loved one.
financial
support
THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
Free money advice set up via the government. Their website is full of free information, and you can call, WhatsApp or web chat for free personal advice.
Services provided:
- Free phoneline
- Free web chat
- WhatsApp chats about debt, pensions and credit
- Free printed guides
- Website information
- Tools and calculators to help with mortgages etc...
Click here to visit their website where you will find any information you need
CITIZENS ADVICE
Citizens Advice is the UK's largest advice charity. They provide around the clock free information and advice service which is completely confidential.
Services include:
- Free helpline (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Online help guide
- Web chat advice (Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm)
- Video advice service (Tues-Fri 10am-12pm)
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for working-age people who face a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. PIP uses a points-based system focusing mainly on two areas; a mobility component based on a person’s ability to get around, and a daily living component based on their ability to look after themselves.
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (CAP)
Christians Against Poverty are on a self-proclaimed mission to help those who are struggling with financial debt, life skills and job searching. CAP provides a range of free services across the UK through local churches.
BREATHING SPACE
The Breathing Space is a scheme set up by the government to help those in debt by pausing all creditor action for a limited period, for people who need of some time to get back on their feet. Someone receiving mental health crisis treatment can apply for a sperate Breathing Space which extends the paused period.
SOUTHERN WATER
Southern Water are assisting their customers that may be struggling to pay their water bills. Listed below is a brief summary of their services:
- Essentials tariff – Can provide a discount on your future bills.
- WaterSure tariff – Can cap your bills if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- NewStart scheme – Could help you in regards to your water account arrears.
- WaterDirect scheme – Where payments can be made to cover both current charges and arrears straight from the clients benefits.
- Priority Services Register – Is specifically designed for customers who may need extra support.
TURN2US
Turn2Us is an information centre for all different kinds of benefits and grants that you may be entitled to. They list a wide range of different benefits and grants depending on what situation you may be in.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT
This is a government run system to give those on a low income or out of work, monthly payments to support with the cost of living. Depending on your set of circumstances they can calculate the best support for you.
child support
GOVERNMENT CHILDCARE SUPPORT
The Government can offer a variety of help with childcare finances including free childcare, tax free childcare and tax/universal credits.
Click here to find out what support you could receive
FAMILY RIGHTS GROUP
Family Rights Group are a national charity that advises parents, grandparents, relatives and friends about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. They work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).
Services included:
- Easy-to-follow, online advice. Features include an A-Z, FAQs, films, ‘top tips’ and legal advice sheets
- Online forums
- Free telephone advice (9:30am-3:00pm)
- Family conferences
- Training and consultancy
- Domestic abuse support
Click here to visit the website
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Hampshire county council have created a listing site catering to all kinds of support in Hampshire. This directory provides advice and services to people.
Services included:
- advice
- a list of support organisations categorised by type of support, age etc...
HEALTHY START
The healthy start scheme is a nationwide scheme put into place by the NHS to give support to new and soon to be mums with buying healthy food, milk, and vitamin supplements. If you are eligible, you will be sent a card to use which will function like a normal bank card in most of your local stores.
CHILDLINE
Support for young people to connect and talk to others about anything that’s on your mind. Ring the helpline, message on our chatrooms to other young people, email or write a letter anonymously to trained adults you can trust.
Housing support?
SHELTER
Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. They give advice, Information and advocacy to people in housing need.
Services included:
- Face to face services
- Online advice
- Free legal advice
- National help line
Click here to visit their website (you will find options to chat online, call or find a branch)
GRACE ADVOCACY
Grace Advocacy offers an advocacy service that has been specifically designed to help vulnerable adults who are struggling with multiple, complex problems. They work with their clients to stabilise their affairs, and can help with:
- Money and debt;
- Benefits;
- Housing;
- Adult Social Care;
- NHS.
HOMELESS LINK
Homeless link are the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England. They work to make services better and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness. They have a search engine for homelessness facilities, which will give you some options about the type of support there is available around Hampshire.
Click here to see a listing of homeless charities and organisations for Hampshire.
THE LIFEHOUSE
The LifeHouse is a kitchen, resource and support centre that serves hot food in Albert Road, Southsea. We are open every week:
Thursday 6pm – 8pm
for a nutritious, hot dinner takeaway usually with tasty pudding – plus food parcel with choice of contents if there are those donations available.
Wednesday mornings 9am – 11.00am
offering breakfast/hot brunch takeaways – again with food bag!
ALSO OFFER:
- Clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, other equipment, toiletries, coats, socks, underwear, etc..
- Weekly, free counselling by appointment Wednesday afternoons
- Help and encouragement with benefits, letters and official documents
- Help with CV’s and printing
- First aider always on site and Thursday evenings In-House Medic available to help and advice
- Fortnightly hairdressing on Wednesday morning from 10.30am
- Regular footcare on Wednesday mornings once a month or more often as circumstances permit
- Listening time over a hot drink and prayer for spiritual concerns and well being
- Thursday evening live music from local artists while you eat
Click here to visit the website
SOCIETY OF ST JAMES
SSJ is a Southampton-based homelessness charity, providing a range of supported living services in Southampton, Portsmouth and across Hampshire. They provide a wide range of support to people from all walks of life experiencing homelessness, problematic alcohol or substance use and mental health problems.
Services provided:
- Drug and alcohol recovery
- Homeless support including day centres
- Specialist supported accommodation
- Sports therapy
Support for older people
AGESPACE
They provide information online about care, legal and financial matters, health and local services.
Services provided:
- Free online advice
- Personal Alarms
- Directions to other support organisations and services
Click here to visit their Hampshire and IOW webpage (you will find Hampshire specific advice here)
AGE CONCERN HAMPSHIRE
Age concern Hampshire provide services that help support and promote wellbeing in the over 50's. They run wellbeing centres, offer home support and information all across Hampshire.
Services include:
- Care and Wellbeing centres (providing care packages)
- Footcare
- Hospital to home services
- Information service by phone or email (10am-2pm Monday to Thursday)
- Help at home (Including a companionship service)
- Village agents (for rural areas)
Click here to visit their website (you will find links to everything on here)
THE SILVER LINE
The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The specially trained helpline team can offer information, friendship and advice, offer regular friendship calls and protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect.
Services included:
- A free phoneline that provides information, friendship and advice.
- Regular friendship calls
Click here to visit their website (you will find the phone number here)
INDEPENDENT AGE
Independent age provides free information and advice for older people.
Services provided:
- Free information and advice online (printable)
- Free helpline
- Free regular phone calls and house visits
Click here to visit their webpage where there are links to all their services
COMPARE THE MARKET
Compare the Market has an online guide for any senior people looking to live on their own safely and comfortably. They cover accessibility options, types of independent housing, managing finances, and home safety improvements for peace of mind.
general
health support
NHS 111 (NOT EMERGENCY)
NHS 111 is here to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Free Helpline (Call 111)
- Online help
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous run support groups helping anyone suffering with an addiction to alcohol. AA is completely free and is designed to protect all members anonymity. You can contact them to discuss your situation, or simply show up at a meeting (let someone know that it is your first meeting and they will provide you will everything you need)
Services include:
- Closed meetings (just for people suffering with an addiction)
- Open meetings (open to both people who have an addiction and people who don't)
- Online meetings
- Free national helpline
Click here to visit their website (you will find the helpline number at the top)
mental health support
EVERY MIND MATTERS (NHS)
An NHS website platform which gives free advice and support links.
Services included:
- Free information and advice
- Links to talking therapies
- Advice on helping others
RETHINK
Offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits and carers rights. Offers general help on living with mental illness. The Rethink Mental Illness advice and information service offers practical help on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. We also offer general information on living with mental illness, medication and care.
Services included:
- Online Information and Advice
- Web chat (10am-1pm)
- Email advice
- Phoneline
- Writing letters
Click here to see their online advice
Click here to find contact information
CALM
Free and confidential helpline and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who need to talk about life’s problems. Additionally, they provide online advice.
Services included:
- Free helpline (5:00pm-12:00pm)
- Free webchat (5:00-12:00pm)
- Directions to other help organisations
- Advice about helping others
- After-suicide support
Click here to visit their website (you will find links and information here)
LIFE CENTRE
Support for those who have experienced a traumatic event, unwanted sexual experience or who are struggling mentally.
RICHMOND FELLOWSHIP
Richmond Fellowship is a national mental health charity working with individuals, families and communities to make recovery reality. Their services work hand-in-hand with people to give them confidence, self belief and purpose.
job loss support
NATIONAL CAREERS ADVICE
National Careers Advice provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. They have a advice phone line and webchat, online information and resources like online courses.
Services include:
- Phoneline (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday)
- webchats (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday)
- email/letter writing service
- free online courses
- Online advise
Click here to visit their general website
Click here to find contact information for advice lines
Click here for advice on how to write a CV
THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
Here you will find some advice about your rights when faced with redundancy. They also have other free advice around benefits, work and other finance related issues.
Services provided:
- Free printed guides
- Free phoneline
- Free web chat
- WhatsApp chats about debt, pensions and credit
- Website information
- Tools and calculators to help with mortgages etc...
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Hampshire county council have created a listing site catering to all kinds of support in Hampshire. This directory provides advice and services to people.
Services included:
- advice
- a list of support organisations including employment services, access to work grants, employability skills etc...
