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Support for families

During the first lockdown, a number of families came under great pressure and personal stress. 

We also recommend the following agencies and charities to help you through this very difficult time.

Food and medication

Access to the food and medication you need

If you’re self-isolating because you have symptoms of coronavirus, or you’ve been classed as vulnerable so can’t leave the house, it may be hard to get the food and medications you need without help. If you find yourself in this situation, please reach out to any of the support groups listed here.

Useful organisations

Lambeth Mutual Aid Groups

Community-run groups organising support, such as food deliveries to neighbours who are self-isolating. These are volunteer-led so please be very careful about sharing your personal details and do not give people you don’t know access to your bank cards. Visit this short-link to Facebook to find your local Whatsapp group and post requests for support.

Lambeth Larder

The Lambeth Larder help people who need to access food in a crisis – by connecting local people to emergency food and providers of free/cheap meals (e.g. food banks, lunch clubs). They have a comprehensive list of food organisations in Lambeth.

W: lambethlarder.org

Al-Nagashi Mosque and Centre (EMCA)

Supporting neighbours in the Vauxhall areas with access to food and medicine, emergency meals and help with utility bills. Contact via Whatsapp. T: Sheikh Ahmed 07400 398 005, Mustafa 07507 847 765 or

Abdulaziz 07503 679 115

Holy Trinity, Clapham, SW4

Pop-up food bank for people in crisis, available every Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm at Holy Trinity Clapham, Clapham Common North Side, SW4 0QZ.

Brixton Soup Kitchen & Support Centre

Food drop-in and collect service and care packages available for rough sleepers from Brixton Dominoes Community Centre, 297-299 Coldharbour

Lane, London, SW9 8RP.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 1.30pm. T: 07538 419 514

E: info@brixtonsoupkitchen.com

W: brixtonsoupkitchen.org

Ace of Clubs

Take away meals for rough sleepers available to collect Monday to Friday 12pm to 3.30pm from St Alphonsus Road, London SW4 7AS

T: 020 7720 2811 or 020 7720 0178

E: info@aceofclubs.org.uk

W: aceofclubs.org.uk

Manna Day Centre

Take away meals for rough sleepers are available to collect Monday to Friday 8.30am to 1.30pm from 7-13, Melior St, London, SE1 3Q.

T: 020 7403 1931

W: mannasociety.org.uk

Getting medical help at home

It’s still important to get medical help if you need it, but try to avoid getting face-to-face help if you can. There are ways to get medical help, advice and prescriptions online or over the phone.

W: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/getting-medical-help-at-home

Lambeth Coronavirus Support and Helpline

A helpline is available for people in Lambeth who are having difficulties due to coronavirus. You or someone acting on your behalf can call the helpline to get advice on issues you are having, including access to medicines and food. The call handler will help you to connect with the  right department in the council or to other organisations, such as Age UK, who can help you get support.

Opening times: every day between 8am and 8pm T: 020 7926 2999

W: lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-helpline for support online.

Support With Benefits, housing and financial help

Support is available if you’re worried about your financial circumstances, becoming homeless, or are sleeping rough.

Housing organisations

Housing Options

If you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness, call to speak with a Housing Options Adviser.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm T: 020 7926 4200

E: housingoptions@lambeth.gov.uk

Housing Support Team

The Housing Support Team provide advice and support to tenants of the local authority and those living in temporary accommodation. They have a payment budget for those experiencing difficulties with their household income.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm T: 020 7926 6399

E: Welfaresolutions@lambeth.gov.uk

The Tenancy Sustainment and Support Service

The Tenancy Sustainment and Support Service provide advice and support to tenants of the private rented sector. They also have a payment budget for those experiencing difficulties with their household incomes. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

T: 020 7926 0020

E: TSTenquiries@lambeth.gov.uk

Street Link London

If you’re over 18 and sleeping rough or see someone who is, report their location here. This will be sent to the correct, independent local

homelessness outreach team, so they can locate the individual and connect them with support services. If you think the person you’re  concerned   about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.

W: streetlink.london

Advice Services

Citizen’s Advice Merton and Lambeth, Brixton Advice Centre and Centre 70 provide free independent, confidential, impartial advice about debt, money and welfare benefits (including a benefit check). All services are providing telephone and online support for Lambeth residents.

Brixton Advice Centre

Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm T: 020 7095 5908

W: brixtonadvice.org.uk/contact

Centre 70

Opening times: Monday to Friday between 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm T: 020 8670 0070

E: enquiries@centre70.org.uk

W: centre70.org.uk

Citizen’s Advice Bureau Merton and Lambeth Opening times: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm T: 0344 488 9625

E: appointments@caml.org.uk

W: caml.org.uk

Other support organisations

Every Pound Counts

Every Pound Counts provide advice about benefit entitlements and how to access them, as well as support with benefit appeals. They’re particularly focused on helping Lambeth residents who have a serious long-term health condition or disability.

Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm to 4pm T: 020 7926 5555

E: EveryPoundCounts@lambeth.gov.uk

Indoamerican Refugee and Migrant Organization (IRMO)

Free legal advice and support for Latin American communities. Providing information and remote appointments for welfare and COVID-19 support. T: 020 7733 9977 074 2266 7327

E: mail@irmo.org.uk

W: irmo.org.uk

Turn2us

Turn2us has an online benefits calculator, grant finder and other tools to help you find financial support.

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm T: 0808 802 2000

W: turn2us.org.uk

Useful information and links

Financial help from the council

If you’re claiming benefits or experiencing financial hardship, there are some extra ways that the council may be able to help:

  • The Emergency Support Scheme can provide assistance with food, fuel, furniture and white goods for households facing a crisis or emergency.
  • Discretionary Housing Payments can help make up rent payments where benefit payments do not cover the full cost.
  • Council Tax Support can help reduce Council Tax bills for people on low incomes.
  • Discretionary Council Tax Support Hardship Payment scheme for those experiencing particular financial hardship.

W: lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-financial-help

Universal Credit

For up-to-date information on coronavirus and claiming benefits from the JobcentrePlus, including changes to appointments and assessments and claiming Universal Credit.

W: understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus

Meeting your energy costs: emergency help for pre-pay customers If you can’t get out to top up, or your emergency credit has run out, contact your energy supplier for help.

Information about protection for tenants and landlords

The government has put together package of measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

W: gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords- and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Family

Support and advice for families

The support organisations and links here are for families looking for information about what’s being offered in the borough for families during COVID-19.

Useful organisations

Lambeth Families Information Service

The Families Information Service (FIS) provides free, reliable and impartial information and assistance to parents, carers, professionals and young people about local services and activities available to you and your family. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm

T: 020 7926 9558

E: fis@lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth Families Information Service directory

There are a number of great local organisations offering online support, classes and activities for children and young people. From online fitness and self-defence classes, to art classes, music tuition, online ‘hang outs’ movie nights and FIFA tournaments – they’ll all be listed here.

W: lambeth.gov.uk/fis-directory

Lambeth Educational Psychology Service

Lambeth Educational Psychology Service has put together a guide for parents and carers about how to support the wellbeing and learning of their children during the coronavirus outbreak. They’re also providing consultations via telephone to any parent in the borough, free of charge. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

T: 020 7926 9658

E: Leps@lambeth.gov.uk

W: lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-parent-guide

Children’s centres

All Lambeth children’s centre buildings will be closed until further notice but children’s centre staff can provide advice and signposting to families with children under 5 years.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. T: 020 7926 2369

Family Action

Family Action works to tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today – including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation, learning disabilities, domestic abuse, or substance misuse and alcohol. Contact their free helpline for support.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm (closed bank holidays).

T: 0808 802 6666

E: familyline@family-action.org.uk

W: family-action.org.uk

Useful information and links

Lambeth breastfeeding support

The Lambeth breastfeeding Facebook page contains information, advice and guidance on breastfeeding at this time, as well as details of daily online support groups.

W: facebook.com/lambethmilkspots

The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network offer peer support with feeding your baby. Leave a message you will be contacted as soon as possible.

T: 07394 724 599

E: lamccg.lambethinfantfeedingservice@nhs.net

Healthy Start Vouchers

With free Healthy Start Vouchers you can buy milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. To qualify, you need to be at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old and in receipt of benefits. Complete an application on their website or call for an application form.

T: 0345 607 6823

For the latest information about changes to Children’s Services during the coronavirus, please www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus/cyp 

W: healthystart.nhs.uk

Young People

Specialist help for young people

We understand this can be a particularly difficult time for children and young people. Here are some of the

organisations who can offer general support or specialist help in a time of crises, as well as more general information about what’s happening in Lambeth to support children young people.

Support organisations

Lambeth Council Mental Health Service for children and young people (CAMHS)

Get help for children and young people up to the age of 18 who have mental health problems or development difficulties. Individual and family interventions psychological therapies, including talking and creative therapies, and medication management in line with NICE guidelines.

You can also call for advice about how to refer a child, young person or their family or other services available for children and young people with mental health problems or developmental disorders.

T: 020 3228 7370

W: lambeth.gov.uk/CAMHS

NHS Child and Adolescent services

(South London and Maudsley Trust, NHS)

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK. They also provide substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

T: 0800 731 2864

W: slam.nhs.uk

Shout

Shout provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text to anyone in crisis. Every texter is connected with a real-life human.

Text SHOUT to 85258

W: giveusashout.org

Childline

Childline is a helpline is for any child with a problem.

You can call 0800 1111 any time for free. You can also have an online chat with a counsellor and check out the online message boards at. W: childline.org.uk

Papyrus

Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.

Opening times: 9am to 10pm weekdays, 2pm to 10pm weekends and bank holidays.

T: 0800 068 4141

W: papyrus-uk.org

The Mix

The Mix offers support service for young people under 25 on any problems you may be facing such mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Email and online chat also available through their website.

Text: THEMIX to 85258 24 hours a day Helpline from 4am to 11pm  every day T: 0808 808 4994

W: themix.org.uk/get-support

Lambeth information for young people

Lambeth Council’s resource for young people, including all the latest news from national and local government, digital activities to inspire them, links to forums where they can talk with their peers and information and advice about the current COVID-19 outbreak.

W: lambeth.gov.uk/youngpeople-coronavirus

Minded

Minded is a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people and older adults. They also offer e-learning for volunteers, students and practitioners.

W: minded.org.uk

Kooth

Kooth is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. They offer free, safe anonymous online advice for young people.

W: kooth.com

Anna Freud National centre for children and families

Anna Freud National centre for children and families has useful information on covid-19, including a resource called ‘On My Mind’ – an A-Z of simple self-care activities which you can do at home – from crafts to coding. Written by young people to help other young people.

W: annafreud.org/coronavirus

Young Minds for parents and carers

Young Minds offers advice for children and young people up to 25 and their carers, including specific advice on the coronavirus. Young people can get ideas about things to do if they are anxious, concerned or stressed. Parents and carers can call their helpline too.

T: 0808 802 5544.

W: youngminds.org.uk

eQuoo

eQuoo is a free app developed by a team of psychologists and the creators of The Walking Dead games. It combines mental health research with play using choose-your-own-adventure games that increase emotional fitness and teaches new psychological skills. eQuoo is available on android and from the Apple store.

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