Cost of Living Support

2024 Christmas Community Support 

Connected Kingston 

Connected Kingston provides up to date and searchable information on all kinds of support at any time and across the Christmas holiday.
For HELP WITH FOOD there is also a range of information on the connected Kingston website. 

You can also find the HOT FOOD, HOT DRINKS, COMMUNITY PLACES leaflet to view and download on our website. 

Other Community Support organisations

1. Kingston Foodbanks - Christmas opening times 

Kingston Everyday Church - 24, 27 and 31 December 2024, also 3 January 2025
Surbiton New Life Baptist Church - 23 and 30 December 2024.

Find out more about other locations and dates on the Kingston Foodbanks website.

2. United Reformed Church

Eden Street, Kingston KT1 1HZ

Open on Christmas Day for Service at 10am
Coffee in the foyer from 11am

Christmas Lunch from 1pm free (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Contact Catherine on 020 8549 1888

Find more information on Connected Kingston 

3. Save The World Club

The Circulatory, 18 Southsea Road, KT1 2EH

Mini Christmas Fair with Santa’s Grotto

Saturday 21 December 2pm to 8pm
www.savetheworldclub.org/events

Warehouse, Community Kitchen and Community Fridge

open as normal except 25 and 26 December also 1 January 2025
Find details on the Save The World Club website.

Food collection and distribution

Food collection and deliveries continue on the days the warehouse is closed and the Friday community fridge will continue to operate as usual. 
For information and requests for food parcels please go to www.savetheworldclub.org/contact

4. CREst Cambridge Road Tuesday Club 

St Peters Church, 140 London Road, Kingston KT2 6QL

For Christmas week - the Tuesday Club moves to Friday 27 December 12noon to 2pm
Free foodbank, hot meal, sandwiches and hot drinks.

Tuesday Club returns to normal Tuesday on New Year’s Eve 31 December. 
Find more information on Connected Kingston

Household Support Fund - open for applications

Additional funding is now available for low-income households in Kingston who meet the criteria and are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials.  

This funding window runs from 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025 inclusive. 
Applications will remain open during this time, subject to the availability of funds. 

This winter, Kingston we will be aiming to provide support to households with children, pensioners and those with disabilities, who would otherwise struggle with energy bills, food and water bills. 

to find out more and how to apply - go to the Household Support Fund web page.

Pension Credit

Worried about money this Autumn/Winter?

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. If you qualify - it will also give you access to a range of other benefits , like the Winter Fuel Allowance and free TV License.

Take the time to apply online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
or you can telephone the Pension Credit claim line : 0800 99 1234

Winter Fuel Payment

Please Note eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment has changed. 

on 9 September 2024, the UK Government changed the rules for eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment 

If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits. 

If you’re eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November - to find more information go to the Government web page.

AND if you are not receiving Pension Credit, then you should act to see if you are eligible (see above). 

Household Support Fund

Find out if you qualify for help from the Household Support Fund.

If you are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials, even temporarily - or have an urgent one off cost (boiler, cooker, fridge etc.). You can apply on our Household Support Fund webpages.

For other financial support and advice please go to our Cost of Living financial support, benefits and debt advice page. 

Your local community places

Last winter we created a map of community spaces, support services and foodbanks, where residents were welcome to visit. 

It is a testament to our brilliant communities across Kingston that today there are many more community places and groups providing activities, food and friendly faces across the borough, where you can drop in, meet people locally, get help and advice or join in activities. Many of these, such as libraries, are free - they are simply a place where everyone is welcome. 

Because of the number and scope of community places this year, we are making this information available on our Connected Kingston website.

To find out about the wider range of what’s available local to you and across Kingston,visit the Connected Kingston website for Libraries, Foodbanks, Community Lunches, Cafes, Kitchens and Fridges, Community Groups and Activities, Support and Advice, and Wellbeing options for fitness and mental health support.

Other places to go for help and support

• Citizens Advice Kingston toolkit - Information and advice to help local people cope with the cost of living increases. Find out more by calling 020 3166 0953.
• Connected Kingston - Connected Kingston is a site dedicated to helping Kingston residents find local activities and navigate local services. It is run by the council and Kingston Voluntary Action in conjunction with local charities and statutory organisations.
• MoneyHelper.org.uk is a government-backed website run by The Money Advice Service, Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. it is packed full of money advice, you can chat online with them and there is a FREE debt Advice Locator , where you can choose advice online, on the telephone and in person in your area. 
• Worrying About Money -  If you or someone you support are facing money worries or financial crises, you can find information about where to get support locally and nationally. You can also download a copy of the Worrying About Money leaflet