Help others in your community understand and access support

Every family’s journey in Barking & Dagenham is different.

You might want to share:

• What support you found helpful
• How easy (or difficult) it was to access services
• What made a difference
• Advice for other parents

Why Sharing Matters

Your experience can:

• Help other families find support faster
• Improve awareness of local services
• Reduce stigma around asking for help
• Strengthen community support

👉 Support is available locally — and reaching out could make a real difference

🍞 Food Support

Food support is available across the borough through multiple services.

• Barking Foodbank:
  https://barking.foodbank.org.uk/

• Community food clubs:

  • Provide low-cost weekly food
  • Often include additional support (advice, wellbeing)

• Local initiatives:

  • Community kitchens
  • Food distribution groups
  • Faith-based support

👉 Some foodbanks require referral vouchers — check before attending.

👶 Family & Early Years Support

Families with young children may be eligible for additional support:

• Children’s centres and family hubs
• Health visitor and maternity services
• Early help and parenting support programmes
• Free school meals and holiday support schemes

If you are struggling with utility bills or rising household costs:

• Access council-led cost of living support schemes

• Speak to your energy provider about hardship support

• Request:

  • Payment plans
  • Debt relief schemes
  • Prepayment meter support

• Access energy advice services to:

  • Reduce energy usage
  • Improve efficiency
  • Lower monthly bills

Residents may be able to access a wide range of support services, including:

• Emergency financial support

  • Household Support Fund grants
  • Crisis payments for essential needs
  • Help with food, energy, and household costs

• Housing and rent support

  • Housing Benefit and Universal Credit support
  • Council Tax reduction schemes
  • Help with rent arrears and housing stability

• Debt and financial advice

  • Budgeting and money management support
  • Debt advice and repayment planning
  • Income maximisation (ensuring you claim all benefits available)

• Community-based support

  • Warm spaces and community centres
  • Wellbeing and mental health support

Support is available through several routes depending on your circumstances.

• Visit the council cost of living hub:
  https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/cost-living-support

• Speak to Citizens Advice for personalised guidance:
  https://bdcab.org.uk/

• Access local money advice services (B&D Money tools)

• Contact community hubs for signposting to the right service

• Some services require:

  • Professional referral
  • Evidence of financial hardship
  • Proof of residency

👉 If unsure where to start, advice services can help you navigate available support.

If you are living in Barking & Dagenham and experiencing financial hardship, there are a wide range of local services and support programmes available to help you manage essential living costs, including food, housing, and energy bills.

These services are delivered through a combination of the council, voluntary sector organisations, and national schemes designed to support residents during periods of financial pressure.

At Basch Helps, we understand that when you need help, you often need it quickly and without confusion.

👉 This guide is here to help you understand what support is available, how to access it, and how soon help can reach you.

❤️ How Basch Helps Supports Barking & Dagenham Families

Alongside local services, Basch Helps provides:

• AngelBox emergency support (baby essentials)
• Emotional support through befriending
• Help understanding what support you can access
• A safe space to talk without judgement

👉 We work alongside borough services to support families holistically