The cost of living is steadily climbing, creating significant challenges for many individuals and families, especially during the financially demanding winter months when expenses for heating, food, and holiday-related costs often increase. We understand that these financial pressures can impact your overall well-being. As always, the health and wellness of our patients remain our top priority. We are committed to providing you with resources and support to help you maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, including access to health programs, wellness tips, and community initiatives that encourage healthy living and resilience during tough times.
To assist you, we have created the ultimate guide below, which aims to help our patients achieve financial stability. This guide is filled with valuable advice, including reliable financial advice organisations, information on grants and benefits you may be eligible for, and details about available food banks in your area, among many other resources.
For reliable advice on a range of issues, from debt management and financial advice to housing and benefits, we recommend the following organisations.
National Debtline
National Debtline offers free, confidential, and impartial debt advice, helping people create budgets, understand options like Debt Management Plans (DMPs), Debt Relief Orders (DROs), IVAs, or bankruptcy, and deal with creditors, all through phone, webchat, or their online tools to gain control of finances. They provide tailored, non-judgmental support for urgent debts (rent/mortgage) or just managing bills, connecting users with caseworkers for complex situations and offering resources for mental health and debt.
How they help:
- Budgeting: Help you create a realistic budget and find ways to increase income.
- Debt Solutions: Guide you on formal options like Debt Management Plans (DMPs), DROs, IVAs, and bankruptcy.
- Creditor Management: Assist in dealing with people you owe money to, including contacting them on your behalf.
- Stress Reduction: They can help you feel more in control and reduce stress about money worries.
- Case Management: Provide casework services where a dedicated adviser contacts creditors for you.
- Specialised Support: Offer resources for debt and mental health, and BSL support for the deaf community.
How to get help:
- Phone: Call 0808 808 4000 for live advice.
- Webchat: Chat online with an adviser for immediate guidance.
- Online Tools: Use their free online tool, My Money Steps, for tailored advice.
Find out more on their website below
Citizens Advice helps with a vast range of issues, offering free, confidential, and impartial support on money, debt, benefits, housing, employment, consumer problems, and family matters, acting as a "one-stop-shop" by providing information, filling forms, negotiating with companies, and even representing clients at tribunals. They provide practical advice on everything from Universal Credit to faulty goods, helping people manage crises and understand their rights.
Key Areas of Help
- Money & Debt: Budgeting, debt solutions, managing arrears, grants, Universal Credit, Pension Credit.
- Benefits: Checking entitlements (PIP, Council Tax Support, etc.), application support, appealing decisions.
- Housing: Rent arrears, repairs, homelessness, tenancy rights, mortgages.
- Employment: Redundancy, contracts, unfair dismissal, discrimination.
- Consumer Issues: Faulty products, energy/water bills, warranties, reclaiming money, car finance.
- Relationships & Family: Separation, child maintenance, bereavement.
- Legal & Immigration: General legal issues, immigration rules.
- Cost of Living: Help with energy bills, food, travel, and other essential costs.
How They Deliver Help:
- Online: Visit their website (citizensadvice.org.uk) to find local services or start an online chat.
- Phone: National Adviceline (England: 0800 144 8848) connects you to local advisers.
- In-Person: Local offices offer face-to-face support, though availability varies. There is a search function on their homepage to check the locations of offices in your area.
Please visit their website below for more information.
MoneyHelper
A free, impartial, and government-backed service in the UK, run by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS). It provides free financial guidance and tools for money, debt, and pensions, combining services from the former Money Advice Service, Pension Wise, and the Pensions Advisory Service.
How MoneyHelper Can Help You:
- Everyday Money Management: Create budgets, plan spending, and reduce outgoings with tools like the Budget Calculator and Bill Prioritiser.
- Debt & Money Troubles: Get help with bills, court fines, debt, and spotting scams, with tools to prioritize payments.
- Pensions & Retirement: Understand your pension options, plan for retirement, and get free guidance from Pension Wise for those over 50.
- Life Events: Navigate financial changes from job loss, bereavement, relationship breakdown, to buying a home or having a baby.
- Benefits & Support: Find out about extra benefits and entitlements you might be missing, including support for housing, working, or job loss.
Ways to Access Help:
- Website: Hundreds of online guides, tools, and calculators (budgeting, loans, life events).
- Helplines & Chat: Speak to specialists via phone, webchat, or WhatsApp for personalised guidance.
- Pension Wise: Book free appointments for pension guidance.
- Printed Materials: Get guides in large print or Braille.
You can find all this and more via their website below.
Money Matters (NWBC)
The "Money Matters" Financial Inclusion team in North Warwickshire, led by the North Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC), offers support for budgeting, debt, benefits, and cost of living help, accessible via the below methods.
MoneySkills App
Coventry University's MoneySkills app is a free personal finance tool developed by their Centre for Business in Society (CBiS) to help people manage money with features like budget planners, offering practical help for students and the wider public, available on iOS, Android, and the web. It stemmed from research into financial vulnerability, focusing on budgeting and financial health, providing support for everyday money management.
Beware of Scam Companies
There are numerous organisations that provide financial advice and debt management services. However, while some are legitimate, others may not have your best interests at heart. Some companies offering debt relief may be fraudulent, using tactics such as promising unrealistic debt write-offs, charging high upfront fees, or employing misleading "sovereign citizen" strategies. These practices can ultimately leave you in a worse financial situation.
Legitimate Debt Management Plans (DMPs) involve a licensed company arranging one affordable monthly payment to your creditors for full repayment. In contrast, scams often promise quick fixes or charge for ineffective services. Always verify companies with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.
How do I know if it’s a scam?
All financial advisers must be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This registration ensures that they meet the required standards, providing you with added protection if you are dissatisfied with their services. For example, you can file a complaint with the Financial Services Ombudsman and may be eligible for compensation if something goes wrong. If a financial adviser is not registered with the FCA, you can submit a complaint directly to the FCA. Don't hesitate to ask an adviser about their qualifications and their Statement of Professional Standing. All financial advisers must be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This registration ensures that they meet the required standards, providing you with added protection if you are dissatisfied with their services. For example, you can file a complaint with the Financial Services Ombudsman and may be eligible for compensation if something goes wrong. If a financial adviser is not registered with the FCA, you can submit a complaint directly to the FCA. Don't hesitate to ask an adviser about their qualifications and their Statement of Professional Standing.
To check if a financial adviser is registered with the FCA, see the Financial Services Register.
If a company is unreliable, they may pressure you into an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement). While an IVA itself is a legitimate and legally binding debt solution, there are scams and misleading practices that target individuals seeking this option. These scams often use aggressive advertising, false claims about "government-backed" solutions, and hidden fees. It's essential to seek advice from authorised sources like Citizens Advice and National Debtline to avoid being exploited.
What to do if you're in an IVA and unhappy:
How to find a financial adviser
To get advice on a wide range of products and to compare costs, it's best to seek out an independent financial adviser. The following organisations can help you find a qualified adviser in your area. You can also find independent and restricted “whole of market” advisers on their websites. Restricted advisers offer products from various companies but may specialise in certain areas, such as pensions.
You can find out more about this on the citizens advice website below.
Grants Online - Funding Available to Address the Cost of Living Crisis
For a while now, the UK has been in what is termed a Cost-of-Living Crisis. As a consequence, an increasing number of UK households have been struggling with rising prices for food, fuel and other essential goods.
To alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, a number of funders have adapted existing programmes or launched specific grant programmes to support charities and community groups helping those hit particularly hard by the cost-of-living crisis.
Please click HERE for further information.
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
Age UK and UKHSA suggest heating your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. This should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health, especially if you have medical conditions or are older.
With the rising cost of living, there are some simple changes that can help to keep you and your home warm:
- Try to reduce draughts – fit draught excluders around doors cheaply, or alternatively use an old towel to cover a gap under a door.
- Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
- Wear several layers of thinner clothing – this will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
- Ensure you are eating enough and having hot drinks.
- Check that your heating and cooking appliances are safe. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they’re operating properly. Visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk and www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk for more information.
- If you live in rented or social accommodation, you can check that your landlord is meeting minimum standards around energy efficiency, damp and mould.
There is also a selection of government-funded schemes designed to keep homes warm and safe, and a range of charities geared towards providing financial help and advice during these cold winter months. Please take a look at the links below to find out more or check your eligibility.
- Winter Fuel Payment: If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. You must be getting certain benefits to be eligible.
- Cold Weather Payment: This scheme starts on November 1st, and you must be getting certain benefits to be eligible. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme: This scheme starts again in October, and you must be getting certain benefits to be eligible. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
- Warwickshire Local Welfare scheme: Support for households on certain benefits/low income, is one-off funding to provide short-term support to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to access the essentials. To enquire or to apply for support, call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182.
- Pension Credit: If you’re eligible for Pension Credit, you could also get a Winter Fuel Payment. Check what benefits you could be eligible for at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
- Cost of Living Support: The government has also published energy saving tips to help save money on bills at Help for Households - Get government cost of living support.
- Turn2us: A national charity offering advice and information to those who are struggling financially. Turn2us offer a benefits Calculator and grants advice / search service, to see what support people are entitled to based on their circumstances. New service also to support individuals with their PIP applications.
- Mind (Money & Mental Health): Worries about money can have an impact on your mental health. And your mental health can affect how you manage your money. Learn more about how the two affect each other, and get tips for getting to know your money and mood patterns.
- Help for Individuals: Charis Grants' schemes: If you’re having difficulty paying your heating bills, contact the organisation, Charis Grants. They can direct you to grants to help with utility debts owed to certain energy providers. Tel: 01733 421 021 or visit
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme: You might be able to get help with the cost of energy efficiency improvements under the ECO scheme. You could be eligible if your home isn’t energy efficient. For owner-occupiers, this means an energy performance rating of D, E, F or G. For tenants, it usually means a rating of E, F or G (although social rented homes in band D are sometimes eligible, too). Owner-occupiers and private renters need to be claiming certain benefits to be eligible – such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. This doesn’t apply to social tenants. If you think you meet the criteria, contact one of the energy suppliers signed up to the scheme and ask what help you might get. It could be worth speaking to a range of suppliers, as they have different ways of meeting their targets. If you don’t meet the criteria, ask your local council whether they offer any help with improving energy efficiency. Councils have access to funding for energy efficiency improvements and can refer you to the ECO scheme even if you wouldn’t usually be eligible. For instance, they may refer you if you’re on a low income or vulnerable to the effects of cold – ask your council what their specific rules are. To find out whether you’re eligible, give the Age UK Advice Line a ring on 0800 169 65 65.
- Great British Insulation Scheme: You might be able to get help installing single insulation measures through the Great British Insulation Scheme. You could be eligible if you live in a property with an energy efficiency rating of D, E, F or G, and within a lower Council Tax band. Visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme or call the Great British Insulation Scheme helpline on 0800 098 7950.
- Energy Saving Trust: Provides online advice on saving energy.
- Household Support Fund - Warwickshire County Council: Provides crisis support to vulnerable households in most need with the cost of essentials, in particular food, energy, and water bills.
- National Energy Action (NEA) - the UK's leading fuel poverty charity: Offering advice and support to fuel-poor households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as advocating for policy and regulation to protect the most vulnerable households.
- Doorway is a Warwickshire charity supporting 16-25 year olds facing or experiencing homelessness by offering housing advice, money help, emotional support, and life skills via a Nuneaton drop-in centre and emergency accommodation, aiming to move young people from crisis to independence with help for housing, employment, and personal development. You can contact them via their Drop-In Centre: Located at 25-27 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton, open weekdays (10am-4pm) for direct help. By Phone: Call 02476-345583. Or via their website.
- Warwickshire | Act on Energy - Act on Energy encourage energy conservation by providing free and impartial energy advice to households and small businesses in Warwickshire. Act on Energy can help with energy bills and government funded grants for heating systems and insulation. Act on Energy have a free helpline on 0800 988 2881 or visit the Act on Energy website for energy advice, including quick tips to save money.
You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. This will give you an estimate of:
- the benefits you could get
- how much your benefit payments could be
- how your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
- how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change - for example, if you have a child or move in with your partner
More about this and access to the most reliable calculators can be found on the gov.co.uk website below.
What is a Food Bank?
A food bank is a non-profit community organisation that provides emergency food parcels and essentials to people facing hardship, to help with short-term crises like job loss or unexpected bills, preventing hunger and related problems like housing loss or family breakdown. Food is usually donated by individuals, businesses, and supermarkets, sorted by volunteers, and distributed as basic, non-perishable items (like beans, pasta, cereal) plus toiletries or nappies, with some also offering advice on debt or benefits.
You often need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it. This includes all food banks run by the Trussell Trust. You can get a referral for yourself and any family members you live with - including your partner.
You might be able to use some food banks without a referral - for example, if it’s run by a church. Contact your local food bank to see if you need a referral. If you do need a referral, there are a variety of ways to accomplish this. You can be referred by:
Citizens Advice: They'll usually make an appointment for you to discuss your situation with an adviser first. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
- Your GP surgery: Our Health and Wellbeing coaches can do this for you.
- Your Housing Association: You can apply directly to a housing association or can be referred by the local authority when you apply to the housing register. Eligibility for housing association tenancies may vary depending on the provider. A council should be able to provide a list of housing associations in the local area.
- Your Social Worker: If you do not have one, contact social services at your local council and ask for a needs assessment. Find out more about this HERE.
- Your Local Council: If they are unable to refer you, they will be able to direct you to the best organisation in your area that can. When you contact your local council, ask if they can also help you with other essential costs like clothes and petrol. They might give you help from their ‘household support fund’ or ‘welfare assistance scheme’. You can find your local council's contact details on GOV.UK.
What is a Warm Hub?
Health guidelines recommend that people heat the rooms they are using to 18°C to avoid health complications such as heart problems, hypothermia, or exacerbation of existing medical conditions. However, with the rising costs of energy bills and other household expenses, many people are finding it harder to heat their homes sufficiently.
‘Warm Hubs’ have been created as places within the local community for those who are struggling with energy costs or who are feeling vulnerable or isolated. Residents are invited to attend on their own or with their family or friends, to spend some time in a safe, warm and friendly environment where they can enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people.
A Warm Hub event could include a weekly coffee morning or a monthly breakfast club, a repair cafe session or a meet-up for carers, a wellbeing session or a hot meal in a friendly environment with tips and advice on saving energy costs and keeping safe and warm at home as well.
Please take a look at the information below to see Available warm hubs and food banks in your area.
- Arley Warm Hub - Wesley Road, Arley, CV7 8FR Thursdays 2.30-4.30, which is part of our PCN free refreshments and activities.
- Atherstone warm hub – This service is on Tuesdays and Fridays at St Benedict’s community hall, 7 Owen Street, Atherstone, CV9 1DG. Members pay £1 admission and in return receive free refreshments and activities, plus subsidised day trips and special functions, all agreed by members. They have disco buffets bi-monthly as an encouragement to exercise. And they now offer transportation to and from sessions for those who experience difficulty in attending sessions. All ages and abilities welcome. For information, contact brianingramocds@gmail.com
- White Hart Community Centre - They open on Tuesdays and Thursdays Mornings, 10am till1pm. They offer a social hub where people can go for a friendly chat, and to get a cup of tea and biscuits, or soup and bread. They also run White Hart Community Fridge. Food donations are received from supermarket surplus and the public, and are offered to those struggling financially, some food items are free to take, and others require a small donation, normally no more than £3. No need to book, just take your own bags.
- People's Pantry Lunch Club - Held at All Saint's Church, Bedworth every Thursday. 2 course meals served at 12 noon. Tea and coffee are available. £6:50 per person + additional donation for drinks.
- Mobile Pantry - Request to be a member online or via phone, the team can support with the application. Once a member, you can visit the pantry once a week, for £5. The pantry is in a different area each day.
- Social Supermarket - For families and individuals struggling financially to put food on the table, they offer low-cost food items. To request an appointment, text your full name, postcode, number of adults in the family and number of children/infants in the family to 07392 084485, and you will receive a reply. There is great demand for this service, and they have a waiting list. (£5 1 person, £10 couple, £20 family) Choose from fruit & veg, cereals, pasta, tinned goods, store cupboard basics, baked goods, toilet rolls, and parent & baby items.Cash only. Proof of address required. Bring carrier bags with them.
- Community Food Fleet Meals on Wheels - Offers a warm hot lunch delivered to elderly/housebound/frail individuals. They drop the meal to the door and also complete a welfare check, they will inform next of kin with any concerns. Menus rotate every week. One course from £7, two courses £8, three courses £9, and delivery is free.
- Ediblelinks - This is more than just a foodbank. Ediblelinks uses food surplus to reduce poverty and diet related ill health. They post a lot of their updates and opening days/times on Facebook.
- The Makery Community Cupboard - Food parcels available by referral.
- Nuneaton Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis - Food parcels available by referral.
- Local Support - WeCare UK - Offers emergency food parcels containing at least 7 days’ worth of food for vulnerable and isolated. Delivered straight to the person’s door, can be same-day delivery if referral is made before a certain time. You can be referred via citizens advice 01827 712852 or North Warwickshire Borough Council 01827 715341. For more information about this service please click HERE.
Did you know that you could save money on your prescriptions if you are on a low income or have a long-term condition?
A NHS England campaign is currently active which aims to raise awareness of the two prescription money-saving schemes available to patients:
- The Prescription Prepayment Certificate
- The Low Income Scheme
If you live with a long-term condition, you may be able to save money on your prescriptions via a Prescription Prepayment Certificate. This will save you money if you pay for more than three items in three months, or 11 items in 12 months. The certificate covers all NHS prescriptions for a set pre-paid price, which can also be spread over 10 direct debit payments.
The campaign is specifically targeting those living with long-term conditions, particularly those living with the following conditions:
- Sickle cell
- Asthma
- MND
- HIV
- Parkinson’s
- MS
The campaign is also targeted at people living in deprived areas or on low-income as data shows these populations receive significantly more prescription items than those living in less deprived areas.
A Healthwatch poll also found that one in ten (10%) people have avoided taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost, due to the cost-of-living crisis.
If you are on a low income, you could be entitled to help with costs or even free prescriptions through the low-income scheme, depending on your circumstances.
To find out more about Prescription Prepayment Certificates or check if you’re eligible for help with prescription costs by using the online eligibility checker, please click on the links below. It only takes a few minutes.
If you are having financial difficulties due to you or a family member having a gambling addiction, please check out the relevant section of our website below.
A carer is a person—whether a child or an adult—who takes on the responsibility of looking after a family member, partner, or friend in need of assistance due to various challenges. These challenges may stem from physical illnesses, disabilities, mental health issues, struggles with addiction, or the needs of an elderly person who requires additional support as they age.
Our website provides a wide range of information and advice aimed at helping carers address their mental, physical, and financial needs. If you are a carer, please see the resources available below.
Also, don’t forget that we have a variety of ARRS roles staff available as part of our PCN, many of whom can help you with issues such as social care and being referred to services. Please use the link below to see team members available and how they may help you.
