Where can I get support?

Emergency food provision :  Vale Foodbank

The 6 Vale Foodbank sites operate on voucher system.

The client must produce a voucher from a recognised agency, Hafod housing, Pobl, etc. An officer from Hafod Housing is normally on-site Mondays and Thursdays so can assess clients and issue vouchers. Client usually advised they can access the service 3 times in 6 months, but this can be varied according to need if they are actively engaged with a social care worker. Find out more on their website.

Other support

Scheme/ Support Overview Contact Information
Healthy Start Healthy Start is a UK-wide government scheme to improve the health of pregnant under 18 year olds, low-income pregnant women and families on benefits and tax credits if the children are under 4 years old. Helpline 0345 607 6823
NHS Support You may be entitled to help with paying for some NHS costs like dental treatment, sight tests and travel to NHS treatment. You can check if you are eligible for help paying for:

  • NHS dental check-ups and treatment
  • sight tests
  • new glasses or contact lenses
  • repairing or replacing glasses or contact lenses
  • NHS wigs
  • NHS fabric supports – things like surgical bras, support tights and spinal supports travel for NHS treatment
Universal Credit Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs for those who are looking for work or on a low income. Citizens Advice Help to Claim Free Support Line – 08000 241 220
Council Tax Reduction Scheme If you have claimed or are receiving Universal Credit, you can get help towards your Council Tax costs from the council. Council Benefits Team  – 01446 709244
Pension Credit Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income. It’s based on how much money you have coming in.

If your weekly pension is less than £167.25 (£255.25 for couples), you may be eligible for Pension Credit, which tops up your income and unlocks a range of other entitlements.

Older Peoples Commissioner’s Pension Credit claim line – 0800 99 1234
Citizens Advice Cardiff and the Vale The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. Citizens Advice can also refer you to the foodbank. Cardiff and Vale Advicelink service – 0808 278 7925
CF61 Food Share Free food is available to anyone every Thursday 1-2pm at CF61 community centre, Llantwit Major.
The Need To Feed Anyone in need can access free food from this service.
Pobl Pobl provide housing information and support for those who need assistance with bills or debts, benefit entitlements, tenancy issues and rent arrears. There is also a Floating Support service in the Vale to support people enduring mental health difficulties in their own homes to enable them to sustain their tenancy. Pobl can also refer you to a food bank. Floating Support – www.poblgroup.co.uk/care-and-support/support-services/support/

Pobl Vale Support – 01446 735444 / 07796239784

valehousingsupport@poblgroup.co.uk

The Vale Foodbank The Vale foodbanks provide free three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. The Llantwit Major foodbank operates from Bethel Baptist Church, CF61 1RB.  As a result of COVID-19 all Vale food bank centres are temporarily closed and services are instead delivering food parcels. 07879562077

info@vale.foodbank.org.uk

Nutrition Skills For Life Developed and delivered by Public Health Dietitians, this programme aims to support a wide range of community workers to promote healthy eating and incorporate food and nutrition skills into their work. 029 2090 7699

Nutrition.Skillsforlife.cav@wales.nhs.uk

Newydd Housing Association Newydd provide a range of support for tenants including; financial advice, socialising opportunities, healthy eating advice and information, cooking classes, training and employability schemes and digital inclusion. 0303 040 1998

enquiries@newydd.co.uk

Vale Homes Money Advice Council tenants who need support with financial matters can contact the Money Advice Team. 01446 709312 / 01446 709588 / 01446 709146

moneyadvice@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Vale of Glamorgan Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme and Vale of Glamorgan Healthy Schools Scheme The service provides healthy eating advice and information, cooking classes and a cookery equipment loan scheme. Healthy Schools Scheme: Christine.Farr@wales.nhs.uk

Healthy & Sustainable Pre-schools Scheme: Catherine.perry@wales.nhs.uk

Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan work with and for people who experience mental health problems.  Mind provide information so people are aware of their rights and can make informed choices and offer a bespoke, person centred service working in partnership with all agencies for the benefit of the individual. 01446 730792

admin@mindinthevale.org.uk

Samaritans You can get in touch with the Samaritans about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. They’re here to listen, no judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what’s on your mind. 116 123 for free English support, or 08081640123 for Welsh support
MoneyHelper (previously The Money Advice Service) MoneyHelper (previously called the Money Advice Service) joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help. MoneyHelper can provide support and advice on a range of financial issues including benefits, debts, money problems, savings and pensions. Money guidance 0800 138 7777

Pension guidance 0800 011 3797

There’s also a live chat function on the website

Penarth Food Pod, St Luke’s Estate, Penarth Pay as you feel scheme for local community.

Monday 14:00-16:00, Wednesday 15:30-17:30, Friday 14:00-16:00

www.facebook.com/penarthfoodpod/
The Big Bocs Bwyd @ Cadoxton Primary School, Barry Pay as you feel scheme for local community.

Wednesday 3-4.30, Thursday 9.30-11.30 and 1.30-4.30

Cadoxton School – Cadog’s Corner (cadoxtonprimaryschool.com)
The Big Bocs Bwyd @ Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oakfield Primary School (shared scheme), Barry Pay as you feel scheme for local community. TBC The Big Bocs Bwyd | oak-field (oakfieldps-barry.co.uk)
Cadfield Van (also run by Oakfield Primary and Cadoxton School), Barry £4 to fill a Cadfield tote bag. Book a slot via Paypal or calling direct number.

Saturday morning.

Cadfield Van | Facebook
Ysgol y Ddraig, Llantwit Major Pending Planning Application Ysgol Y Ddraig Primary and Nursery School
Castleland Community Centre, Barry Everyone welcome. No charge.

From 2pm Wednesdays

01446 701285
Pharaohs Pantry, Penarth Available to households on low income, benefit claimants, homeless and vulnerable people. Food parcels to last 3 days alongside crisis support/signposting.

Every weekday morning 10-12.

claire.grafton@tabspenarth.org.uk
The Salvation Army, Penarth Food parcels are given out on an adhoc basis based on requests by individuals. There is no ‘food bank’ as such, but food donations are collected from Morrisons in Barry on a weekly basis and passed on to Tabernacle Church (Pharaohs Pantry). At Christmas, Salvation Army offer food and more as part of their Christmas appeal, which includes toys, food parcels and/or vouchers for families in need. This is distributed from the Hall in Penarth.

Email address: penarth@salvationarmy.org.uk

Phone: 029 2070 0858