Signposting

Useful Signposting Links to help with Cost of Living Support

“Having someone outside of the family was great to talk to. They listened without judgement and made you feel listened to. To be able to go out and meet up and talk about anything was a breath of fresh air.”

Useful Parenting Tips

See videos and useful links below…

Assistance with children in school

Additional funding for children in Reception to Year 2 known as pupil premium funding and assistance for childcare funding:

Free school meals

Childcare support 0-5 years

Tax free childcare

Citizens Advice Bureau

For free, independent and confidential advice about legal, money and other problems – Tel: 08444 111444.

Citizens Advice

Credit unions

Local Credit Unions, which are not-for-profit savings and loans schemes. For an explanation on what credit unions do and how they help individuals, families, and communities, visit this link here.

There are 6 Credit Unions in the County:

HertSavers Credit Union

Dacorum First Credit Union

Black Squirrel Credit Union (North Herts)

Stevenage Credit Union

Watford Credit Union

St Albans Community Bank

Debt support

Employment support

Watford Council support

Three Rivers Support

Hertsmere Support

Family Lives

For targeted early intervention and crisis support to families, and here to listen if you need to talk – Tel: 0808 800 2222.

Family Lives

Food

Info about easiest way to access Foodbanks and Foodbank vouchers:

Using a Food Bank

Cost of Living Support

Fuel

£150 Council Tax Energy Rebate repaid if you pay council tax and property is in council Bands A-D. See attached for more details

If you are in debt with your energy provider grants are available to assist however a debt advisor would need to be contacted first:

Citizens Advice (Grants & Benefits)

Better Housing Better Health

Hertfordshire County Council

Help with managing the cost of living

Benefits of Money and Advice

Community Spaces

Hertfordshire Directory

For information on a wide variety of services and activities for those in Hertfordshire. It can also act as a guide to sources of support for people with long term conditions and parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities or learning difficulties:

Hertfordshire Directory

Hertfordshire Family Centre Service

Here to support families through a variety of services including help finding childcare, antenatal classes, services for children with special needs and disabilities and more – Tel: 0300 123 7572.

Hertfordshire Family Centre Service

Herts Help

Here to listen and help you find independent support, guidance and information to get the most of out of life – Tel: 0300 123 4044.

About Herts Help

Struggling to Cope

Abuse & Domestic Abuse

Hertfordshire's Local Offer

Letting parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them:

Herts SEND Local Offer

Home-Start UK

If you live outside of the Watford, Three Rivers or Hertsmere districts, you can find your local Home-Start:

Find your nearest Home Start

Housing

Housing and accommodation support

Housing advice

Housing

Reducing regular living costs

Reducing everyday bills ie council tax, water bills:

Reducing your regular outgoings

Help when behind on energy bills

Help when struggling to pay your bills

Cost of Living Support

Financial Support

Watford Women’s Centre

Providing services to help women lead independent, productive and healthier lives.

Tel: 01923 816229 or 07514 648 829:

Watford Women’s Centre

Skip to Useful Links

#BecauseChildhoodCantWait #HomeStartSupport #HomeStartFundraising #HomeStartFamilyGroup #HomeStartFamily #HomeStartCommunity #HomeVisitingVolunteers #HomeStartCounselling #HomeStartTrustee