Help others in your community understand and access support

Every family’s journey in Sutton 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 is available across Sutton through a variety of services:

• Local food banks (some services require referral vouchers)
• Community food distribution programmes
• Faith-based and charity-led food support
• Low-cost food clubs and community food schemes

Support may include:

• Emergency food parcels
• Regular access to food provision
• Free or low-cost meals through community services

👉 Always check opening times and whether a referral is required before attending.

👶 Family & Early Years Support

Families with young children and expectant parents can access additional support in Sutton:

• Children’s centres and family hubs
• Health visitor and maternity services
• Parenting support programmes and early help services
• Holiday food programmes and school support services

You may also be eligible for:

• Healthy Start scheme (support with food and essentials for young children)
• Free school meals
• Additional family wellbeing and support services

If you are struggling with rising household costs:

• Contact your energy provider to:

  • Set up manageable payment plans
  • Access hardship funds and grants
  • Explore discounted or social tariffs

• You may also be able to access:

  • Government cost of living support payments
  • Local council support schemes

• Get advice on:

  • Reducing energy usage
  • Managing arrears and debt
  • Improving energy efficiency at home

👉 Early support can help prevent financial issues from becoming more serious.

Residents in Sutton may be able to access a wide range of support depending on their needs:

💸 Financial Support

• Household Support Fund payments to help with:

  • Food
  • Energy bills
  • Essential living costs

• Emergency financial assistance for residents facing crisis situations

• Council Tax Reduction schemes for low-income households

• Discretionary support for urgent or unexpected expenses

🏠 Housing & Rent Support

• Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing support
• Assistance with rent arrears and managing housing costs
• Homelessness prevention services and housing advice
• Support for both private renters and social housing tenants

📊 Money & Debt Advice

• Budgeting and financial planning support
• Debt advice and repayment support
• Help checking benefit entitlement and applications
• Income maximisation services to ensure you are receiving all available support

There are several ways to access support depending on your circumstances:

• Visit Sutton Council’s cost of living and support pages
  (search: Sutton Council cost of living support)

• Contact Citizens Advice Sutton for support with:

  • Benefits
  • Debt
  • Housing
  • Financial hardship

• Speak to local charities and voluntary organisations

• Visit community centres, libraries, or family hubs for advice and referrals

You may need to provide:

• Proof of residency in Sutton
• Evidence of financial hardship
• Supporting documents such as benefit statements or bills
• A referral from a professional (for some services)

👉 If you are unsure where to begin, local advice services can help guide you to the most appropriate support available.

If you are living in Sutton and experiencing financial hardship, there are a range of local services available to help you manage the cost of living and access essential support.

Support is delivered through Sutton Council, local charities, and community organisations working together to support residents with food, finances, housing, and family wellbeing.

💙 How Basch Helps Can Help

Basch Helps provides targeted, practical support for families experiencing financial hardship — particularly during pregnancy and early childhood.

We support families in Sutton by providing:

• AngelBox support for eligible families

• Essential baby items including:

  • Clothing
  • Equipment
  • Everyday care items

• Support during pregnancy and early years

• Assistance for families who may not fully meet eligibility thresholds for statutory services

We focus on:

• Families experiencing financial pressure
• Households in urgent or high-need situations
• Supporting children at critical early development stages

👉 Our aim is to ensure no child goes without essential items due to financial hardship.