Support and Help Resources in the Cost-of-Living Crisis

A list of external organisations and other sources of support to help save money, boost income and more

We continue to update this page as and when additional resources become available.

Financial help and advice

• Get help with the cost of living crisis by Citizens Advice - check what benefits you can get, how to get help with energy bills and other essential costs. You might find useful their guidance on reducing regular living costs.
• StepChange is offering free debt advice online.
• Turn2Us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially.
• Money Saving Expert is the UK's biggest consumer website dedicated to cutting bills, finding deals, tips on saving cash and more.
• Find money saving tips and best deals for your regular bills, summarised by the Which? website. 
• Create your own budget planner with Money Helper, a government backed organisation providing free and impartial help with money.
• Benefits Calculator - you can use an independant, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. 

Specialised advice

• Find a specialist advice for those in later life at Age UK. Find useful energy savings tips, managing money, boosting income and more, aimed particularly at older people.
• Mencap provide information and advice tailored to people with learning disabilities.
• Advice for students dealing with the cost of living crisis by Save the Student.
• Leonard Cheshire provide specialist support to disabled people, including those who have extremely complex care needs.
• The RNIB (Royal National Institue of Blind people) has put together a list of helpful resources, tailored to those living with sight loss.

Food, fuel and living

• Find a Food Bank by Trussell Trust. If you're struggling to afford the essentials or need advice and support you can call one of their free helplines too.
• OLIO connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. This could be food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare home-grown vegetables, bread from your baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away.
• Too Good to Go is an anti-food waste app that lets you rescue unsold food from businesses to save it from going to waste.
• Warm Welcome is an online directory of 'warm banks', designed to signpost anyone in need of warmth to a warm space to share with others. Venues range from libraries, community centres, faith-based spaces to cafes, sports centres, businesses, museums, and more. A year-round campaign, it also helps people feel less isolated and lonely.
• View top energy saving tips from Money Saving Expert.
• More energy saving advice from Citizen's Advice, including how to get a better deal, making a complaint, reading a meter, claiming back credit and more. 
• Check to see if you're eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the government.

Mental health

• MU mental health and wellbeing guidance and resources. We work with specialist organisations that provide professional help on mental health when it is needed.
• MU members can also access wellbeing practice and training regularly - find out about our regular meditation events and online yoga course.
• Mind is a charity which provides information, support and campaigning for people with mental health problems. They've provided some resources to help you feel more able to cope with the struggles related to the cost-of-living crisis.