Cost of living support
The cost of living can put a real strain on people’s finances and also their health and wellbeing. We have put together details of organisations which can offer support with energy costs, prescription and healthcare appointments costs, food, and mental health. If you can’t find the information you need or would like a copy posted to you, please get in touch, or you can download a pdf version. If you would like some leaflets for a community setting or group near you, please let us know and we will post them out to you.
General support
These organisations can offer support and also put you in touch with local services to help with specific issues.
Northumberland Communities Together If you’re having a difficult time at the moment, Northumberland Communities Together will find you support and connect you with people in your area. Call: 01670 620015 or email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk
Find the team out and about across the county at community events.
Social Prescribing Social Prescribers can direct you to services that can help with things such as counselling, arts and creative activities, employment and training and financial advice. Ask at your GP surgery for more details.
Government cost of living support This website gives details of how you can get help with income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
Warm Hubs Warm Hubs, run by Community Action Northumberland, are a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, advice and the company of others. To find a Warm Hub near you email: christinenicholls@ca-north.org.uk
Warm Spaces Warm Spaces are places where people can come together in a warm, safe, welcoming place and maybe enjoy a hot drink, a sit down and a chat with others. Contact Northumberland Communities Together for venues (details above).
Money advice and support
Citizens Advice Northumberland Call 0808 278 7944 to speak to the Money Advice Service or for the Debt Advice Line call 01670 339 960 or text ‘DEBT’ to 81400.
Household Support Fund If you need a bit of additional support with household costs contact Northumberland Communities Together and ask about the Household Support Fund. Call 01670 620 015 or email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk
Turn2us Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Visit the website for the free Benefits Calculator and Grants Search to find out what help you can get.
Foodbanks
Support with food, household essentials and more.
Alnwick District Foodbank
Amble Foodbank
Email: amblefb@gmail.com
Bedlington Foodbank
Email: bedlingtonfoodbank@gmail.com
Bedlington Salvation Army Foodbank
Berwick Community Trust (North Northumberland Food Bank)
Email: info@berwicktrust.org.uk
Blyth Foodbank
Email: blythfoodbank@email.com
Community Food and Friendship Blyth
Email: cffblyth@gmail.com
Cramlington Foodbank
Cramlington Salvation Army
Miners Lamp Prudhoe
Newbiggin-by-the-sea Salvation Army
Real Deal Plus at Ashington Life Centre
Seghill Food Bank at Seghill Community Centre
Every Wednesday 11am – 12pm
Stobhill Link
Wansbeck Valley Food Bank
West Northumberland Foodbank
Call 01434 700 068, text 07958 000 719 or email: getintouch@westnorthumberlandfoodbank.org.uk
Wooler and Glendale Foodbank
(plus Share Shed and clothing swaps) Email: gill@wooler.org.uk
Travel and prescription costs
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme If you are referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs if you are on a low income or in receipt of benefits. For more information call 0300 330 1343 or visit the NHS website.
Help with prescription costs Some people are entitled to free prescriptions due to their age, income or if they have certain disabilties or health conditions. The Government has a five-minute online survey that will let you know if you can get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. People on low income may get financial help with prescription, dental, eye care and healthcare travel costs plus wigs and fabric support costs. Call the NHS help with costs helpline on 0300 330 1343 or check if you are eligible for support online.
Useful apps
Olio Find the food and household items you need, and share what you don’t, with local people.
Too Good To Go Surprise bags of surplus food from shops and cafes at discount prices.
Energy advice and support
Citizens Advice Northumberland – The Energy Project The project offers free, tailored assistance with a range of energy issues including how to:
- Understand your bills
- Address debt or payment issues
- Check you are getting the best deal
- Save energy and keep your home warm for longer
- Check if you are entitled to additional financial help
Call 0808 278 7944 or email: energy@citizensadvicenorthumberland.org.uk
The Priority Services Register A free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. If you are eligible you could get extra support. Contact your energy supplier to find out more.
Help for Households See what support is available to help with the cost of living and save money with energy saving tips.
Energy Advice in Rural Northumberland EARN is a project from Community Action Northumberland. It supports energy consumers in rural Northumberland who are disadvantaged through remoteness with no connection to the gas grid and/or the electricity grid. It can fit free energy saving measures, carry out home energy audits and provide independent advice about renewable technology.
OilCAN A bulk-buying heating fuel service offering Northumberland residents the opportunity to buy oil, LPG and coal at lower prices.
For details of EARN or OilCAN call 01670 517 178 or email: energy@ca-north.org.uk
Northumberland Log Bank The log bank provides seasoned wood fuel to those suffering financial hardship, chronic ill-health, disability or isolation, or who have difficulty obtaining or handling logs due to advanced age. Call 07470 564 442 to find out if you can get support.
In a power cut call 105 for free. If you smell gas call the free National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
Clothes and baby banks
Rosie’s Corner, Hexham
Call 07593 599157 or email: rosiescornerkidsbank@gmail.com
Community@NE66 Alnwick
Call 01665 602 856 or email: admin@communityatne66.co.uk
Stobhill Link Morpeth
Call 01670 519 575 or email: enquiries@ncenterprise.org.uk
Hope Uniform and Baby Bank, Cramlington
Call 01670 737 808 or email: hope1uniform@gmail.com
Hope Community Hub, Bedlington
Call 01670 828 668
Northern View Club Spittal
Call 01289 304 615 or email: northernv9@gmail.com
Uniform for all Northumberland Blyth
Call 07570 095 262 or email: uniformfourall@gmail.com
Bacmans, Lynemouth
Call 01670 860 060
Miners Lamp, Prudhoe
Call 01661 725 729
Hirst Welfare, Ashington
Call 01670 620 200
Mental health support
Find details of mental health support organisations below. For urgent support contact the NHS crisis team on 0800 652 2861 or call 111 and select option 2. The text number for people with hearing loss or communication difficulties is 07887 625 277.
NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies
Free psychological treatment for people aged 16+ who have a GP in Northumberland, including one-to-one talking therapy for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems. To self-refer email: tmn.info@nhs.net
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
Mental health support and services across the region. Call the helpline, 0330 174 3174 8am -10pm every day or email: admin@tynesidemind.org.uk
Northumberland Recovery College
Courses and workshops for adults which promote wellbeing and good mental health. Call 07866 053 717 or email: nrc@everyturn.org
Cygnus Support
Helping people in Northumberland to improve mental health and wellbeing through counselling, therapy, education and training. Call 01670 853 977 or email: admin@cygnussupport.com
Anxious Minds
A North East charity offering mental health information, advice and emotional support, plus online, phone or face-to-face counselling sessions for a £25 charge. Call 01670 946 188.
ManHealth
Supporting men through difficulties with their mental and physical ill health. Provides advice and support groups, in Northumberland this is at Briardale House in Blyth, Mondays 6pm-8pm. Call 01388 320 023 or email: info@manhealth.org.uk
Choices4Growth
A Berwick-based organisation providing support and counselling for better mental health and positive futures for the community. Call 01289 385 577 or email: help@choices4growth.co.uk
Kooth
Online mental health support for children and young people (11-25 years). website
Qwell
Online mental health support for adults (18+ years) website
Samaritans
Call 116 123, 24 hours, 365 days a year
Shout
A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 85258.
Free IT support
Northumberland Libraries Libraries across the county offer free computer use, WiFi and a place to charge your phone, plus a Digital Champion service to help people get online. Call 0345 600 6400 or email: mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk
BRIC Blyth Providing free access to computers and WiFi, plus basic IT training and support to get you online. Call 01670 542 847 or email: education@bricblyth.org.uk
Northumberland CVA Tea & IT Free support to help older people get online. Build your confidence of new technology to feel more connected. One-to-one support plus drop-in sessions providing an introduction to computers, the internet, email, Skype, online shopping and social media. Call 01670 858 688 for more details.
Healthwatch Northumberland
We are your local health and social care champion. We’re here to make sure your views on NHS and social care services in Northumberland are heard.
