Don’t panic, help is at hand. The most important thing is don’t hide your head in the sand. Talk to someone and see if you can work something out.
Avoid loan sharks! It may seem tempting to take out a short-term unregulated loan to get you out of a fix, but this can lead to huge problems down the line, including violence and intimidation and paying back many times what you borrow.
The first port of call should be your G.P. practice – ask to be referred to a social prescriber, in some areas they are called community connectors or living well connectors. All GP services in Norfolk are connected to a team of social prescribers who are themselves connected to a range of advice and help providers and they can help you find the support you need in the quickest possible way.
Below are the details for a range of other agencies who may be able to help.
General advice and assistance
The Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) – helps people who are in financial hardship and cannot pay their living costs.
Norfolk CABx – offer advice on debt and money problems face to face,
on the phone via e-mail and webchat. Tel: 0800 144 88 48 option 1
MoneyHelper – can point you towards local debt advice services online,
on the phone or in person.
Money Saving Expert (MSE) – offers help and advice on a whole range of subjects, including signposts to advice agencies
Stepchange – free debt advice online and support for as long as you need
Money Support Service (MSS) – offer help and advice over the phone, or face-to-face support in your own home. Tel: 01603 223392 (option 4)
e: MSS@norfolk.gov.uk
Money Advice Trust – The Money Advice Trust is a national charity, helping
people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money with confidence
Turn2Us – is a national charity providing practical help to
people who are struggling financially, by helping people access benefits, charitable grants and other support.
Breathing Space debt relief – Govt scheme to give someone in problem debt the right to legal protections from their creditors.
Food costs
Trussell Trust – operate a number of foodbanks around the county.
Nourishing Norfolk – a range of hubs and schemes to help people eat
economically and healthily.
Other providers other foodbanks can be found around the county
Social Supermarkets offer a wide range of affordable groceries, and other
goods, to help people eat healthily.
Sally’s Store – Great Yarmouth
Shrublands CFC – Gorleston
The Feed – Norwich
The Burrell Shop – Thetford
Community Fridges – public places where surplus food is shared between
people in a community.
Fridges
Hubbub
Norfolk Community Directory (NCD) – provides information, advice, services and activities on a range of services across Norfolk.
Low cost/free meals – a number of organisations offer free or low cost meals
to rough sleepers, families without cooking facilities etc. May require professional referral.
Norwich
Elsewhere
Food Apps – low-cost food packages available in your local area –
via an app.
Too Good To Go
Olio
Energy costs
Money Saving Expert (MSE) – offer advice on a range of subjects
including energy
Ask Bill – offers free and impartial advice about money and bills.
National Energy Action (NEA) – advice to householders in England & Wales on energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home
Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) – The Centre for Sustainable Energy offer advice if you are struggling with your energy bills
AGE UK – Advice for older people
SCOPE – Advice for people with a disability.
Warm and Well – Warm clothing packs to get you through the
cold weather, available at all libraries.
Sanitary Products and Toiletries
Libraries offer free sanitary products and toiletries
Tricky Period and Toiletries
Morrisons offer free sanitary products to anyone who needs
them. Ask for A package for Sandy
Schools and Colleges some schools and colleges have free products available
to pupils/students at the school office
Water & sewage charges
Anglian Water can offer discounted tariffs, assistance schemes,
affordable payment plans
Essex & Suffolk Water can offer payment breaks, low-income discounts,
flexible payment plans, bill cap scheme.
Furniture and White Goods
End Furniture Poverty national organisation offering advice on finding
furniture and white goods and areas of support
Broadband & telephone costs – social tariffs
Ofcom people on a low income may be able to get a cheaper
broadband or telephone package
Money Saving Expert (MSE) Broadband comparison tool
Transport costs
Concessionary bus pass age-related and disability bus passes
If you still need extra help
Norfolk County Council Living Support Scheme
Norfolk Community Foundation Household Support Fund grants up to £100 per household
Support from Boroughs/Districts:
Broadland and South Norfolk
You may be able to get help from a charity based on what job you do or have done, if you have a specific health condition, or live in a particular town/village. Some focus on people over/under a particular age.
Turn2us has a grant search tool
Norfolk Citizens Advice CABx grants directory
