Support services for help with essentials
Food support
Food Pantries and Food Banks
Tameside has a range of support for people experiencing food poverty or who may need support with food in some way, including food pantries for more regular groceries, food banks for emergency food supplies and food projects.
You can call into any library during staffed hours for help and assistance.
☎0161 342 8355
Visit to find your local foodbank or food pantry at www.tameside.gov.uk/foodbanks
The Bread and Butter Thing
For only £7.50 The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) members receive approximately £35 worth of quality fresh food and store cupboard staples, including fresh fruit and veg. This means even on a tight budget, families can have access to nutritious, healthy food.
TBBT works with food businesses across the industry across half the towns in Tameside to assist them in redistributing surplus food which otherwise be wasted.
Families can use their NHS Healthy Start Vouchers and low cost period products are also available.
For more information on becoming a member and to find your local hub please visit www.breadandbutterthing.org/members
The Household Support Fund
The Household Support fund helps low income households cover essential costs such as energy and water, food and other essentials linked to energy and water. Applications can also request warm clothing, blankets and essential household equipment.
Find out more about eligibility and how to apply at www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund. For further information, email householdsupportfund@tameside.gov.uk
Find Local Community Café’s
Age UK
Age UK’s Café 131 exclusive serves up an array of wonderful dishes for club members 5 days a week. Find out more www.ageuk.org.uk/tameside/our-services/cafe-131/the-cafe-131/
There’s also Age UK’s Lunch Club
Tuesday and Friday Lunch Club for only £3 on a Tuesday and Free on a Friday.
Contact Age UK to book your 2-course meal.
Call Age UK reception on 0161 308 5000
Action Together
There’s a variety of warm and welcoming community groups, coffee mornings, breakfast and lunch clubs across Tameside, some providing refreshments, food and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Find out more on www.actiontogether.org.uk/community-activities
Infinity Initiatives
Infinity Initiatives host a pay-what-you-can community café where everyone is welcome. They also have a free food corner to reduce food waste, you can just bring a bag and help yourself. They are based at 13-15 Wood Street, Ashton-U-L, OL6 6AT.
Find out more at www.infinityinitiatives.com
Help with Childcare:
Child Care Support
Over a million families in the UK are entitled to some form of government childcare support, but many are missing out because they aren't aware of available support or do not realise they are eligible
You could be entitled to:
- up to £2,000 a year of Tax-Free Childcare per child (or £4,000 if disabled) for children up to 11, or 17 if they’re disabled
- help with up to 85% of their childcare costs for children up to 16 with Universal Credit
- 30 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds if they’re a working family in England.
Government childcare financial support is not limited to just nurseries and childminders, depending on eligibility criteria, this support could be used for breakfast clubs, after-schools clubs, activity clubs, holiday clubs, and play schemes.
Don’t miss out! For more information and to find out if you are eligible please visit
www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Clothing Grant
The Hardship Fund can assist with purchasing uniforms in exceptional circumstances. The council retains a small amount of money to support parents/ cares in exceptional circumstances. The fund will only be available through professional referral which does include school.
Find more info on eligibility at www.tameside.gov.uk/Childrens-Services/Clothing-Grant-Hardship-Fund
Healthy Start Vouchers
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.
You can check your eligibility and find out how to apply on www.healthystart.nhs.uk
Free school meal vouchers
Free school meals can be claimed by parents or guardians of pupil’s who are on a low income.
All claims will be processed by your child’s school.
To find out about eligibility, how you can apply and for other information please visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/fsm
Need help with essential items for your new baby or children?
Cascade Family Essentials aim to support the parent(s) of children up to 10-years-old providing families with clothes and essential equipment for babies and children that will help cushion the financial impact of a child on a family experiencing hardship. They provide these bundles for newborn babies and children all the way up to age ten (referral from a registered health visitor or midwife required).
SureStart Maternity Grant
The SureStart Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to support with the costs of having a child.
Find out more about eligibility at www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant
Grow Tameside
Grow is here to help and support you with your journey, offering the most up to date advice from local health visitors, midwives and early years workers.
Grow Tameside can assist with finding legal, finance, benefits and foodbanks.
