VCSE services
Forum and Hull CVS have worked together to produce a directory of voluntary and community sector services -
Visit VCSE services
Many residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That’s why it’s important to know what help and support is available now, that could benefit -
- you
- a relative
- friend
- neighbour
Here are some practical actions that could help you or someone you know.
Money and Debt
Council Tax Support
You may be eligible for support in the form of discount or exemption -
Further information Council Tax support
Community Support Grant
You may be eligible for a Community Support Grant, (CSG's) are primarily intended to help vulnerable applicants live as independent a life as possible in the community -
Further information Community Support Grant
Benefit advance
If you are on certain benefits you may be entitled to a short-term benefit advance
Citizen Advice (CA)
CA can be contacted for free information on a range of subjects including debt and money advice. They can also be contacted if you need support claiming benefits -
Citizens Advice Debt and money
Citizens Advice Welfare Benefits and Universal Credit
Immediate financial help
If you need immediate financial help you may be entitled to emergency support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or us -
If you are -
- on a low income
- out of work
- unable to work
- a carer
you may be entitled to a range of benefits such as -
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- PIP
Check you are claiming benefits they are entitled to
Up to 7 million people are not claiming benefits they are entitled to, check that you are not one of them -
Access information on our site and our partners -
Food
Food banks
Food banks are community organisations that can help if you can’t afford the food you need. You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it. Food access points and warm spaces near you can be found under local information via my Hull maps.
A good place to ask for a referral is your nearest Citizens Advice.
Further information is also available on our page immediate financial help.
There is a network of food providers in the city, including information on eligibility criteria for each organisation, that have been mapped out by Nurture Hull
Below is an activity booklet which will provide further information on food banks.
NHS Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through Healthy Start.
Free school meals
You can apply for free school meals if your child attends a Hull school or sixth form on a full time basis.
Additional organisations
There are a number of voluntary organisations that are offering food support, locations and further information can be found below -
- Endike Community Care - Ashton Close, HU6 9RJ
- Vulcan - 42 Heron Street, HU3 3PF
Fuel and Energy
Energy Saving Materials
The warm homes team provide a specialist service with the primary aim of reducing fuel poverty and increasing domestic energy efficiency in the city.
Visit Warm Homes Team
Health
Thrive directory of services
The thrive directory of services has been developed by the key partners in Hull that provide support for children, young people and families emotional health and wellbeing. This guide is intended to be used by anyone to find the help and support that Children and Young People may need.
Visit the Thrive directory of services
Further Health support
If you need any further health support, there are a number of organisations with support available -
Hull and East Yorkshire Mind Helpline
Offer confidential mental health advice for anyone experiencing or worried about their mental health
Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Mind Helpline
The Warren
Offer mental health support for young people.
Stop smoking service
Cigarettes contain many different chemicals, including arsenic (poison), cadmium (used in batteries), and chromium (used to make paint).
When somebody stops smoking, their body starts to recover. Benefits include -
- after 48 hours - the body no longer contains carbon monoxide, lungs start to clear, and smell and taste improve
- after 72 hours - breathing comes easier and energy increases
- after 2 to 12 weeks - circulation improves
- after 3 to 9 months - lungs are working better
- after 1 year - risk of a heart attack is halved
- after 10 years - risk of lung cancer is halved
- after 15 years - risk of heart attack is now the same as someone who has never smoked
In addition to the cost of cigarettes, these points show powerful reasons why someone would want to stop smoking.
SmokeFree Hull offer free advice and behavioural support to help you stop smoking. Between October 2021 and September 2022, 72% of clients who used the service were able to quit smoking within four weeks. SmokeFree Hull helps you to find your own way of stopping smoking. They support adults and young people aged 12 and over living in Hull, and offer a 12 week Stop Smoking service.
Visit SmokeFree Hull
Find out more about the 12 week Stop Smoking service
See how much you're spending and what you could save by stopping smoking
Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space Scheme
Provide clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and problem debt.
Visit Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space Scheme
Healthy Holidays
A huge range of activities that are free of charge, for children and young people across the city.
Visit Healthy Holidays
Let's Talk
Mental health problems are common and anyone can be affected. If you feel that you need support Let's Talk are available to help.
Visit Let's Talk
Connect Well (Social prescribing)
Connect Well Hull is a free and confidential service for local people who live in Hull or are registered with a Hull GP.
Visit Connect Well Hull
Age UK
Offer support for older people and their carers.
Visit Age UK
Employment
Employment Hub
Our Employment Hub supports people into employment, training, education or volunteering.
Visit Employment Hub
Mind Hull and East Yorkshire
Mind is happy to be working alongside Hull City Council on a new project to support individuals and employers in Hull. Our brand new Work Well service is here to help individuals to improve their mental health, raise aspirations, and to achieve their personal goals.
Visit our Work Well service
Connexions
Help is available for young people in Hull aged 16 to 19 to make informed choices about their training and employment. Support is also available for young people with learning difficulties or those who have disabilities up to the age of 25.
Visit Connexions
Springboard Youth employment initiative
which aims to help those aged 16 – 29 years old, who are not in employment, education or training and who live in Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Visit Springboard Youth employment initiative
Youth Hub
A dedicated service to support unemployed young people aged 16-29 years old in Kingston Upon Hull.
Visit Youth Hub
Travel
Bus Passes
Senior citizens and some disabled people within certain criteria are eligible for a bus pass. This allows the user to travel 24 hours a day every day on regular bus services, providing the journey begins in Hull.
More information about Bus Passes
School Travel
Your child may be eligible for a free school travel pass.
Travel Card
If you use public transport regularly, you may purchase a travel card, for unlimited travel in and around the city. Travel Hull have information on KAT (Kids and Teenagers) Cards and travel cards.
Visit Travel Hull
Housing
Homelessness
If you are threatened with homelessness and are eligible for help, we can help to prevent your homelessness.
Visit Threatened with homelessness
Problems with paying your rent in council housing
If you require any advice or help with your rent arrears we would advise that you contact your Tenancy Officer straight away so it can be discussed and a repayment plan can be put in place.
Visit Managing council housing rent arrears
Problems with paying your rent in a private property
If you can't pay your rent, don't ignore the problem. You need to talk to your landlord as soon as possible. We can also help by giving you advice and information that may prevent you from losing your home.
Discretionary Housing Payments
This is a discretionary award with no fixed rate or payment period. It is a limited fund and awarded on an individual basis. It is not guaranteed and any award is intended to help you for a short period.
Visit Discretionary Housing Payment
Warm spaces
Warm Spaces are a network of places across the city where residents can visit to get warm and enjoy a little company. We want to work with our local partners to help our residents to create a network of Warm Spaces.
Many partners across Hull already provide this type of facility. We are asking you to consider registering your facilities or services with us so we can add you to our Warm Spaces directory to let our residents know how to access the Warm Spaces near them.
View our city map of Warm Space registered venues
If you want to offer a Warm Space you will be asked to sign up to the Warm Spaces Charter, which will help people who want to use the Warm Spaces know what to expect when they step inside your venue. All our supported spaces must agree to a Charter focused on mutual respect and safety.
Please complete the short form below to register your interest -
National Help
The government have created a guide to explain the range of measures and support that may be of benefit including -
- household costs
- energy bills
- childcare costs
Please note that we are aware that some of the links on the GOV.UK website refer you back to your local council. Where the GOV.UK website directs you to us, we have provided information and relevant links above.
