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Cost of Living Contacts and Help

On this page you will find a list of helpful contacts ranging through a variety of services. From help with bills, to foodbank locations to mental health support. The Government has launched a campaign to help with the cost of living and has lots of information available for residents and businesses.

You can sign up to receive latest news and cost of living help and advice updates straight to your email inbox.

Be scam aware

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber fraud crime reporting centre, has received reports about fake text messages pretending to be from the government.

The texts say that the recipient is “owed” or “eligible” for an energy bill discount as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal people's personal and financial information.

Please help to spread the word that people do not need to apply for the scheme, it happens automatically, and they will not be asked for their bank details.

Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726. You can report suspicious emails and calls to Action Fraud via their website.

Domestic Violence and Abuse Support

If you have experienced domestic abuse and need support, advice or a place of safety, phone the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse free phone number 0800 0198 668.

  • This service is provided locally by The Elm Foundation, and is available to everyone - men and women, children and young people, whatever their ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. You can find out about the help and support they can provide, and how to contact them on The Elm Foundation website.

  • For support outside normal working hours, contact Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 or in an emergency phone the police on 999.

  • The National Domestic Violence free 24-hour helpline number is 0808 2000 247.

Energy Support and Advice (local):

Energy costs are continuing to rise and so are the number of people in Derbyshire struggling to heat their homes. From young families to the elderly, there are many households who will need additional help to reduce their fuel bills and increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Below are sources who can help with advice and payment help along with finding ways to reduce your energy consumption.

Energy Support and Advice (national)

If you're finding it hard to keep up with energy payments or you're worried you won't be able to afford the energy you need this winter, you might be entitled to financial support.

  • Energy Saving Trust provide resources to help reduce your energy bill and financial support related to heating your home. Find out more on the Energy Saving Trust website.
  • National Energy Action provide support to people who are struggling to heat their homes, open Monday to Friday 10:00am-12:00pm (noon). Contact them on 0800 304 7159 and find out more on the National Energy Action website.
  • EDF have some specific advice if they are your energy supplier and more general energy advice, you can find this on the EDF website.
  • Ofgem provides resources to help you understand your energy bills, you can find out more on the Ofgem website.

Financial support (local):

If you are worrying about managing your money or feel things are getting out of control, then the sooner you begin to tackle the problem the better. Don't feel embarrassed. All those who work to support people with money worries know that these difficulties can arise for lots of reasons, and that it can be a big step to talk to someone about it. You can find lots of information to help you manage your money or debt on the Derbyshire County Council Managing Money or Debt webpage.

Useful contacts:

Financial support (national):

Help with your Energy Bills: government information regarding energy saving advice, funds and payments to help with your energy bills.

Warm Homes Discount (The Energy Rebate Scheme) has provided a one off payment of £150 to all qualifying households this year.

The most vulnerable households will also receive some or all of the following in additional support:

  • £650 Cost of Living payment to those in receipt of PC or UC
  • £300 Pensioner cost of living payment
  • £150 Winter fuel payment
  • £150 Disability cost of living payment to those in receipt of DLA/PIP

You can find out more information on all of the above help on the Governments website.

Useful national contacts:

  • Christians Against Poverty provide resources to help with money and debt, find out more on the Christians Against Poverty website.
  • Debt Advice Foundation provide free debt advice, Monday-Friday 8-6, contact them on 0800 043 4050 and find out more on the Debt Advice Foundation website.
  • Family Fund Service, delivering BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme, is offering support to children and young people who are living in poverty.
  • Friends of the Elderly are offering grants for Older People Financial Support to help with unexpected bills and essential living costs.
  • Money Helper provide free impartial financial advice, contact them on 0800 138 7777 and find out more on the Money Helper website.
  • National Debtline provide help with making the most of your money, dealing with high gas/electricity bills and debt advice. Contact them on 0808 808 4000 and find out more on the National Debtline website.
  • Royal British Legions Everyday Needs (Cost of Living) grant aims to help UK armed forces veterans and their families struggling to pay for items and services they need.
  • Stepchange provide debt advice, their lines are open Monday to Friday 8-8, Saturday 8-4. Contact them on 0800 138 1111 and find out more on the Stepchange website.
  • Turn2us provide resources to help you check benefits entitlements, search for a grant, information about energy and water bills, you can find out more on the Turn2us website.
  • Universal Credit Advice & Entitled To offers information on Universal Credit and provides an independent benefits calculator which includes information on how to maximise income benefits. Call 0800 3285644 to find out more.

Help accessing food for your family:

We're supporting Derbyshire’s food bank network to do what we can to ensure residents who are struggling with low income and debt have food in times of need.

  • Rural Action Derbyshire can direct you to a nearby food bank using the Rural Action Derbyshire Food Bank Near You webpage, can also contact them on 01629 592970.
  • Grassmoor Methodist Church Food Cabin provide weekly food parcels for £3 and community lunch for £3. 1 Chapel Rd, Grassmoor, Chesterfield S42 5EL. Contact them on 07731 532166.
  • Living Hope Food Bank sell food parcels, open 12:00am-1:30pm Wednesday, Abundant Life Christian Centre S42 5TA, contact them on 07940 845 805 and find out more on the Abundant Life Living Hope webpage.
  • Rhubarb Farm, open every Friday and anyone can buy a bag of food for £3, Hardwick Street, Langwith, NG20 9DR, contact them on 01623 741210 and find out more on the Rhubarb Farm website.
  • Clay Cross Food Bank (the Trussell Trust), Community of Christ, Thanet Street, Clay Cross, S45 9JS, requires a referral from North East Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau (0808 250 5702), contact the foodbank on 07899 878398 and find out more on the Clay Cross Food Bank website.
  • Eckington Community Pantry open 10:00am-12:00am every Wednesday and Friday, there is a £2 membership fee and £3.50 to fill a bag for life with 15 items per family/individual. To qualify you have to live in the Eckington Parish, 8 Gosber Street, Eckington S21 4DA. Contact them on 01246 439010 and find out more on the Eckington Business Centre website.
  • New Hope Food Bank requires a referral through Social Services, Doctor Surgeries, Sure Start, Probation Service, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern etc. Contact them on 07939 950713.
  • Oaks Community Church open 3:45pm-5:00pm Tuesday and 9:00am-10:30am Thursday, open to everyone in the S18 area, you can buy a bag of food for £1. 2-4 Lea Road, Dronfield, S18 1SB, contact them on 01246 414448; to find out more and check availability use the Oaks Community Church Re:Store webpage.

Mental Health Support

Mental health is an important part of everyone's life and good mental health and wellbeing is directly linked to good physical health. Let's get the conversation about mental health and wellbeing started. Share your stories, get help and support and start talking.

  • Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service help people who are struggling cope, contact them 24/7 on 0800 028 0077 and find out more on the Derbyshire Healthcare website.
  • Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service support people who are having difficulties with their mental health, contact them on 01773 734989 from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday and find out more on the Rethink Mental Illness Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service webpage.
  • CALM provide mental health support, their helpline is open 5pm-midnight 365 days a year, contact them on 0800 585858 and find out more on the CALM website.
  • HopeLineUK, operated by Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, supports young people up to the age of 35 who are struggling with their mental health. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or visit the Papyrus website .
  • Mind provide mental health advice and information/signposting service. Contact them by phone on 0300 123 3393 and find out more on the Mind Urgent Help webpage.
  • Samaritans’ free helpline is open 24 hours 365 days a year, to help you face any issues you are facing. Contact them on 116 123 and find out more on the Samaritans website.
  • Sane provide a range of services to anyone affected by mental illness, you can contact their helpline (4:00pm-10:00pm) on 0300 304 7000 and find more information about their services on the Sane website
  • Rethink provide a range of services and advice regarding mental health, find out more on the Rethink website and contact their advice service on 0808 801 0525.
  • National discounts and offers

Find out what discounts and offers are available nationally. Some supermarkets are offering discounted children's meals, to retail offers and discounts on school wear. There are utility offers too such as mobile social tariffs for those claiming Jobseekers Allowance, broadband help and discounts on from some water suppliers.

Warm Spaces (Warm Hubs)

Warm Spaces (also known as Warm Places and Warm Hubs) are where community venues open to the community to get warm, stay warm and enjoy the company of others.

If you run a community venue and are thinking of opening it up for Warm Spaces sessions you may find the following document helpful: ''A warm welcome: Setting up a warm space in your community'

The guidance is published by CILIP, the library and information association and includes a breadth of useful suggestions and information.

We are happy to publicise any Warm Spaces that establish within our District. If you are offering a warm space at a community venue please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be happy to promote it.