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People across the country are facing pressures on their household income due to energy costs and food bills. In Tewkesbury Borough, there is a range of help, advice and support available to residents.

Money and debt

Benefits, financial advice and support

You may be eligible for financial support in the form of Universal Credit, help with rent payments, assistance with debt and advice if you are worried about money.

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be eligible if you’re on a low income, out of work or cannot work. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you will need to claim Council Tax reduction with us.

Help paying your rent

If you are on a low income and not in receipt of Universal Credit, or are of pensionable age, you may be able to make a claim for housing benefits.

If you a struggling to pay your rent and you are claiming either housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and need more financial support with housing costs, you may qualify for a discretionary housing payment.

Council tax support

You may be able to reduce the amount of council tax you pay if you are entitled to a discount or exemption.

If you are unable to pay your council tax, please contact us immediately to seek help and advice. Even if you’re not entitled to any discounts, it might be possible for a special arrangement to be made. Remember – the sooner you discuss your problem, the more easily it can be resolved.

Household Support Fund

If your household needs help with food and energy costs, you can also apply for Gloucestershire County Council’s Household Support Fund. Vouchers and financial support from the fund can be used to help with food, essential kitchen equipment, gas, electricity and water bills, and warm clothing and bedding.

Debt

National Debtline provides free, confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt problems. If you have debt problems, the Government’s Breathing Space scheme can provide legal protection from creditors for a temporary period.

Who can help in Tewkesbury Borough? 

North and West Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau: Citizens Advice provide information, advice and assistance to those who need it. They can offer advice on debt, housing, benefit enquiries as well as other issues that might be present.

Contact: Freephone 0808 189 6280. Their lines are open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm. All enquiries start with a telephone conversation.

CCP: offers community based support  to help people develop the skills to become self-reliant, resilient, and live independently in the long term such as housing support and  support to maximise their income, improve budgeting and money management skills, and reduce debt.

Contact: 0300 365 2002 or referrals via their website.

Gloucestershire County Council Welfare Support Scheme is a fund that provides practical support to eligible adults and families for food, gas/electricity top ups and household items such as furniture including white goods/appliances and furniture.

Fuel and energy

Severn Wye Energy Agency offers free support including:

  • fuel debt support
  • carbon monoxide advice
  • advice on the priority services register
  • energy efficiency and bill advice
  • liaising with your supplier.

Contact: If you are feeling overwhelmed by home energy and need someone on your side, email communityadvice@severnwye.org.uk or call 0800 170 1432 to arrange a confidential appointment or a home visit.

Housing

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we can provide you with high quality advice and assistance to help you to make informed choices about your housing options. In certain circumstances we may also be able to help with rent in advance or a deposit.

Please contact the Tewkesbury Borough Council Housing Team. You can also contact CCP who are able to offer support with accommodation.

Food

Food banks and food pantries are community organisations that can help if you can’t afford the food you need.

Shurdington: Greenway Gifts

Greenway Gifts groceries runs every Monday morning from 9-10am at St Paul’s Church Hall in Shurdington. It is a non-referral food bank, meaning anyone who is struggling and would like a bag of groceries can come and collect. They also have a small selection of toiletries and nappies. Contact: 01242 321806 or find more information here.

Brockworth: The Food Larder

The Brockworth Food Larder is a food bank based in Brockworth Community Centre for those living in the areas of Brockworth, Hucclecote, Barnwood, and Coopers Edge that are going through difficult times. Find out more here.

Churchdown: Hungry No More

Hungry No More operates from the GL3 Hub in Churchdown. It is open every Thursday morning to distribute food parcels and aims to supply 3 to 4 days’ worth of food, depending on donations. In emergencies, parcels are available any day.

Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury Food Bank: open 5 days a week at 76, Church Street, Tewkesbury. Anyone in the Tewkesbury area may use the Foodbank.  Contact the Voucher team on Monday to Friday mornings, 9:30am – 12:30pm via 01684 296824 or info@tewkesbury.foodbank.org.uk to arrange a food parcel which will provide 3 days’ emergency food.

They also have trained volunteers who can signpost you to other services available in the town or help with financial advice.

Priors Park Community Church: The Hub @ The chapel is a community hub to help local residents cope with the cost of living. They are able to provide emergency food, help and guide with gas and electricity costs, care for elderly and isolating residents and assist with general problems for those struggling through difficult times. Contact: 07307 079129.

Winchcombe & Bishops Cleeve

North Cotswolds Food Bank: Contact them on 07879 375562 or by email at info@northcotswold.foodbank.org.uk to get advice on gaining a voucher for the provision of 3 days’ emergency food.

Their two collection centres are:

  • St Michael’s Church Centre, Bishops Cleeve GL52 8BA, open Friday mornings, 9.30–11.15am
  • Encounter Church, 9, Gretton Rd, Winchcombe GL54 5EE, open Tuesday afternoons 1.30–3pm

Northway

Northway Pantry: dedicated to providing assistance with weekly groceries to residents of Northway who are facing financial difficulties.

The pantry is a membership scheme, offering donated and in-date food to members, who pay a weekly fee of £4 in return for approximately £25 worth of non-perishable and fresh food, plus other household items. Members will also benefit from additional services, such as benefits guidance, debt advice, and mental health support.

The pantry is located at Northway Community Hub, Lee Walk, Tewkesbury GL20 8QG. Contact:  07925 174 413, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Digital Inclusion - help to get online

The GRCC DAISI Digital Triage Service is your first point of contact for all things digital in Gloucestershire. Whether you’re looking to enhance your own digital skills, help someone in your community, or connect with local initiatives that tackle digital poverty, GRCC are here to guide you every step of the way.

Their dedicated Digital Triage Officer is on hand to help you find:

  • Local digital support centres and training programs
  • Free and accessible Wi-Fi locations
  • Support for accessing affordable devices and connectivity
  • Information on digital safety and best practices
  • Guidance on social tariffs and other cost-saving initiatives.

The service is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4.30 pm, offering personalised advice and a wealth of local knowledge.

Contact them on 07454 066116 or digital@grcc.org.uk

Warm Spaces

Tewkesbury Borough Council is supporting Warm Spaces around the Borough this winter through Warm Spaces Funding using UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund funding, administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

You can find a list of Warm Spaces with opening hours and locations here.

Each warm space operates differently dependent upon the context and community that it is supporting – please do check their individual details for locations, opening times and different activities.

Many warm spaces are able to signpost residents to other Cost of Living services or offer advice on site – this relates to energy bill advice, foodbank support or support with getting online or managing digital devices.

Where warm spaces are providing hot food, they have been asked to share their Food Hygiene Certificates, and all have shared their safeguarding policies and procedures.

Tewkesbury Borough Council does not accept any liability for the operation of any warm space – each are governed through their own organisational policies and procedures.