Help others in your community understand and access support

Every family’s journey in Tower Hamlets 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

Tower Hamlets has a strong network of food support services:

• Bow Foodbank (open access support):
  https://www.bowfoodbank.org/

• Food banks and emergency food providers across the borough

• “Food Store” schemes:

  • Access £25–£35 worth of food weekly for a small fee
  • Additional support provided alongside food

• Community-based support:

  • Hot meal services
  • School-based food provision
  • Charity-led food programmes

👉 Some services are open access, while others require referral — always check before attending.

👶 Family & Early Years Support

Families with young children and expectant parents can access additional services:

• Family hubs and children’s centres
• Health visitor and maternity services
• Parenting and early help support programmes
• School and community-based support services

You may also be able to access:

• Healthy Start scheme (support with food and essentials for young children)
• Free school meals and holiday food programmes
• Additional support for low-income families

If you are struggling with bills or utility costs:

• Apply for support through the Resident Support Scheme

• Contact your energy provider to:

  • Arrange payment plans
  • Access hardship schemes
  • Apply for discounted tariffs

• Get help with:

  • Prepayment meters
  • Energy debt
  • Reducing household energy usage

👉 Early support can help prevent debts from increasing and improve financial stability.

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

💸 Financial Support

• Resident Support Scheme (Household Support Fund):

  • Help with food and essential everyday costs
  • Support with gas and electricity prepayment meters
  • Emergency financial assistance for crisis situations [coolors.co]

• Access to:

  • Grants and discretionary payments
  • Support even if you are not currently receiving benefits [coolors.co]

🏠 Housing & Rent Support

• Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing support
• Help with rent arrears and preventing eviction
• Discretionary Housing Payments for additional support
• Advice on tenancy issues and housing rights

📊 Money & Debt Advice

• Support through resident hubs and outreach teams [coolors.co]

• Help with:

  • Budgeting
  • Managing debt
  • Accessing benefits and grants

• Advice on improving financial stability and managing ongoing costs

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

• Apply through the Tower Hamlets Resident Support Scheme
  https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/advice_and_benefits/cost-of-living/household-support-fund.aspx
• Visit local resident hubs for in-person advice and support
• Speak to community outreach teams who can support with applications
• Contact Citizens Advice or local charities for independent guidance

You may need:

• Proof of address in Tower Hamlets
• Evidence of financial hardship
• Supporting documents (e.g. bills, benefits information)

👉 If you are unsure where to start, local advice services and resident hubs can help guide you through the process.

If you are living in Tower Hamlets and experiencing financial hardship, there are a wide range of local services available to support you with essential needs including food, housing, energy costs, and financial wellbeing.

Tower Hamlets has a strong, well-developed network of support delivered through the council, community organisations, and local charities working together to support residents facing increased cost of living pressures.

💙 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 Tower Hamlets by providing:

• AngelBox support for eligible families

• Essential baby items including:

  • Clothing
  • Equipment
  • Everyday care essentials

• Support during pregnancy and early years

• Assistance for families who may not be fully supported through standard services

We focus on:

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

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