London Plus – Cost of Living

London Plus is building a list of organisations, particularly those that are London-based, for signposting and matching support for those affected by the rising cost of living.

Help through Hardship

Call: 0808 208 2138

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, closed on public holidays

It is a free confidential helpline manned by trained Citizens Advice Advisors. They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. If needed, they’ll issue you with a voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.

Trussell Trust

The Trussell Trust operate the largest network of foodbanks across the UK.

You can search for your nearest food bank via their interactive map.

Independent Food Aid Network

Their 'Worrying About Money?' cash first referral leaflets are co-designed as straightforward resources for people facing financial crisis, and anyone supporting them, to quickly see available advice and cash first support options and which local agencies are best placed to help.

The Greater London ‘Worrying About Money’ leaflets will provide details of where you can find support in your borough.

IFAN are the UK network for independent food aid providers. They support and connect a range of independent frontline food aid organisations across London and the rest of the UK.

Please search for local IFAN food aid organisations visit their website for more information.

Healthy Start scheme provides funds to support pregnant women or those with children aged under 4.

Free School Meals are available in England and Scotland to all children in the first 3 years of primary school regardless of family income. For older children eligibility for free school meals is dependent on family income. 

Children’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) aims to offer fun and food for children and young people in the holidays. Each London council is supporting schemes across the school holidays.

Kitchen Social is run by the Mayor’s Fund for London working with local grassroots community organisations across London to create a familiar environment where children, young people, their families and carers can attend during the school holidays.

4in10 London’s Child Poverty Network

The directory lists organisations challenging and changing the impact of poverty on London’s children and their families. It is a free directory and aims to be an up-to-date go-to place for anyone in London seeking support, and for organisations needing help.

End Child Food Poverty

The End Child Food Poverty website, spearheaded by Marcus Rashford’s End Child Food Poverty Taskforce, has a range of resources to help direct you to where you can get support if you are looking after children.

The British Red Cross

Call: 0808 196 3651

Open daily from 10am to 6pm. The service is free, and completely confidential.

The British Red Cross has a free support line as well as links to other resources. Information is on their website about the helpline and support they can offer people who are feeling lonely or worried, or finding it hard to cope during these uncertain times. Red Cross volunteers from the psychosocial and mental health team are on-hand to provide both practical and emotional support, and connect people with additional support in their local area.

Olio Food Sharing App

OLIO is a free app allowing neighbours to offer perfectly good, unwanted food to each other. Everything shared on OLIO is for free. Visit their website for more information and to download the app.