Support in Southwark
With Christmas approaching it can be a stressful time for lots of families, you’re not alone and help and support is available.
Below are links to a range of support, from cost of living, mental health, food banks and more.
Benefit Calculator Tool & Support Grants
Turn2US
Turn2US is a great source of information and has a range of services including searching for a grant to purchase white goods and can connect you to local charities who can provide things such as baby supplies and baby clothes.
Visit https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ and select ‘Get Support’ at the top of the page.
Tips for a more affordable Christmas and New Year
You might be worried about the cost of the festive season or getting into unaffordable debt. There are ways to make your money go further:
Heating our homes can be expensive. Drop into a local warm space such as one of our libraries which offer free Wi-Fi.
Food banks
Food banks are run by community organisations. They collect donations of non-perishable food and give it out as emergency aid to members of the public who are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity, or people who have no recourse to public funds.
How to use a food bank
You usually need to be referred by an organisation to use food bank services. You can contact our Southwark Community Support Alliance who will support you with referrals to local food banks.
The Southwark Community Support Alliance will be able to organise food banks or shopping help and can link you up to help and support the community.
Food pantries
Food pantries are shops that provide low-cost food. To use a food pantry you need to become a member. Members can buy a variety of healthy foods at a subsidised price. Membership tends to cost around £4 per shop, which allows you to get around £15 of food.
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Peckham Pantry, Peckham Park Road (Pecan)
49-53 Peckham Park Road, SE15 6TU (open in Google Maps)
opening times Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 4pm, Tuesday 11am to 4pm and Thursday 10am to 7pm
email pantry@pecan.org.uk or phone 020 7277 7075
Peckham Pantry, St Luke's Church (Pecan)
St Luke’s Church, Chandler Way, SE15 6DT (open in Google Maps)
opening times Wednesdays 11am to 3pm
email pantry@pecan.org.uk or phone 020 7277 7075
Love North Southwark: Bermondsey Pantry
4-5 Slippers Place, Gataker Street SE16 2EN (open in Google Maps)
opening times Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm (by appointment only)
email lovenorthsouthwark@outlook.com or phone 07730 465 160
The Borough Food Co-operative
St George the Martyr Church, Borough High Street SE1 1JA (open in Google Maps)
opening times Tuesday 12noon to 3pm, Thursday 10am to 3pm and Saturday 1pm to 4pm
email food@stgeorge-themartyr.co.uk or phone 020 7357 7331
Paxton Green time bank: Paxton Pantry
Unit 32 Seeley Drive, Kingswood Estate SE21 8QR
opening times Tuesdays 12 noon to 4pm
email food@stgeorge-themartyr.co.uk
Free food (meals, cafés and apps)
Hope Tuesday Café
Open to all, tea, coffee and hot meals served at 1pm (cold buffet-style food served during periods of hot weather). Social activity including quizzes planned after lunch with tea, coffee and cake.
City Hope Church, 121 Drummond Road, Bermondsey SE16 2JY (open in Google Maps)
opening times Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm.
email hello@cityhope.london or phone 020 7993 3934
All Saints Church Café
Open to all, the community café provides tea, coffee and cakes. Also other activities and free wi-fi.
All Saints Church, 8 Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE15 4QS - The café is in the main church, not the hall (open in Google Maps)
opening times Tuesdays 9.30am to 11am
email hello@allsaintspeckham.org.uk or phone 020 3637 2701
visit the All Saints Peckham website
Foodcycle Peckham
All Saints Church Hall, 7 Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE21 8QR (open in Google Maps)
opening times Wednesdays at 5pm and Saturdays at 5.30pm
email peckham@foodcycle.org.uk or phone 020 7729 2775
visit the Foodcycle Peckham website
Manna Centre
Open to all, especially people who are homeless. Provides breakfast and lunch (showers, clothing, housing, welfare advice and medical care also provided)
12 Melior Street, London Bridge SE1 3QP (open in Google Maps)
opening times Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 1.30pm
email mail@mannasociety.org.uk or phone 020 7357 9363
visit the Manna Society website
The Castle Canteen
Open to all (free, but £1 donations are welcome). Community canteen; hot vegetarian meal cooked on site.
Crossways Church Hall, 18 Hampton Street, SE17 3AL (open in Google Maps)
opening times Mondays 1pm to 2.30pm
email hello@be-enriched.org
Webber Street Day Centre
For local rough sleepers and homeless people (aged 18+).
6-8 Webber Street, Waterloo SE1 8QA (open in Google Maps)
opening times:
breakfast Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8.30am to 12 noon
lunch Monday to Wednesday at 1pm
clothing, toiletries and advice
drop-in sessions on Fridays from 9am to 12noon
closed first Wednesday of every month
email wsenquiries@lcm.org.uk or phone 020 7928 1677
Walworth Living Room
Open to all, a warm welcome: cafe, community fridge and social activities. Some activities are free, others are low-cost. Please contact for more information.
All Saints Hall, Surrey Square, Walworth SE17 2JU (open in Google Maps)
opening times Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 3pm.
email info@pembrokehouse.org.uk or phone 020 7703 3808
Food for free using the Olio app
An app that allows you to connect with people giving away unwanted food for free. Find out more and download the app www.olioex.com
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Pecan food banks
Pecan works using a voucher referral system. To get help from one of Pecan’s food banks, you will need a voucher issued by a local agency before arriving at a centre.
email foodbank.support@pecan.org.uk or call 020 7732 0007
Spring Community Hub food banks
Spring Community Hub works on a voucher referral system. Visit the Spring Community Hub website for more information.
Foursquare Church
117 Walworth Road SE17 1RW (open in Google Maps)
opening times Mondays 1pm to 3pm
email office@springcommunityhub.org or call 07901 617 189
New Covenant Church
506 to 510 Old Kent Road, SE1 5BA (open in Google Maps)
opening times Tuesdays 12 noon to 2pm
email office@springcommunityhub.org or call 07901 617 189
St Paul's Church
4 Lorrimore Square, SE17 3QU (open in Google Maps)
opening times Wednesdays 11.30am to 1.30pm
email office@springcommunityhub.org or call 07901 617 189
Spring Community Hub - Wilson Road
1 Wilson Road, Modular Building, SE5 8LU (open in Google Maps)
opening times Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm
email office@springcommunityhub.org or call 07901 617 189
Help With Food Costs
Help to get food if you can’t afford or access it
The Southwark Community Support Alliance can help vulnerable residents with food, mental and physical wellbeing, financial support and help translate information.
Further financial help and information.
Getting help for your energy bills
Benefits entitlement Calculators
Grants to improve your homes energy efficiency
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Get urgent mental health support
If you, or someone you know, is in a mental health crisis, contact the NHS South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 24-hour mental health telephone support line on 080 0731 2864 (option 1).
Samaritans is a confidential support service for anyone experiencing distress or despair - call 116 123 for free
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) has a helpline for anyone who needs help - call 0800 58 58 for free (from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year)
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support when you need immediate help - text “SHOUT” to 85258
Mental health help from Southwark Council
If the increased cost of living is affecting your mental health or the mental health of someone close to you, help is available from us. You can:
search for local mental health and wellbeing resources on the Southwark Wellbeing Hub, email the Southwark Wellbeing Hub team at southwarkhub@together-uk.org or call 0203 751 9684. Hub working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
read our guidance on how to take care of your mental health, which includes a list of mental health services , specific advice on family mental health and advice and information for young people
visit the Community Alliance webpage for more information on the help the Community Support Alliance can provide. The Community Support Alliance can offer help with translation into other languages
find money advice based on your circumstances
Southwark Council Cost of Living Fund is a scheme to provide financial support to families on a low income in the borough
Useful resources to help with mental health
talk to your GP who can give advice on how to manage and treat your mental health
find guidance on managing mental health and money worries from NHS Every Mind Matters
visit the Mental Health & Money Advice service website for help with mental health and money problems
Warm spaces for residents in communities across Southwark
Find a warm, free and welcoming community space in Southwark to spend time, and at some locations get cost of living advice, free hot drinks and food.
https://www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support/warm-spaces
Domestic Abuse (opens Southwark Council Website)