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, food projects and community cafés.
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 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
 
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/Education/SchoolData/School-Meals
 
 
Help with other essentials:
 
Child Care Support
 
You could receive up to £2,000 a year to help with the cost of child care.
 
This support can be used towards payments for holiday clubs, breakfast clubs, or childminders and nurseries.
 
Don’t miss out! For more information and to find out if you are eligible please visit  https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
 
 
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 here.
 
Need help with essential items for your new baby or children?
 
Cascade Baby Bundles aims to support the parent(s) by providing a ‘Baby Bundle’ gift containing items of clothing, toys and essentials 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).
 
 
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
 
 
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 here.