Local Support and Resources

Acts Trust

https://www.actstrust.org.uk/

Acts Trust offers several programs across Lincolnshire. Visit their webpage for more details.

Energize offers youth clubs and holiday programs for young people aged 11-18.

Tuesdays:

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm: Lincoln Central Youth Club at Alive Church, Newland, LN1 1XG (ages 8-10)
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Alive Church (ages 11-18)

Wednesdays:

8:00 pm to 9:30 pm: Energize Youth Centre, Birchwood, LN6 0NL (ages 11-16)

The Restore Programme helps people aged 18+ understand and overcome poverty-related issues in their lives.

The Night Light Service is an NHS-funded project that runs 'cafés' in different churches across Lincoln every day of the week. These cafés are also available in other parts of the county, in partnership with local churches and charities. The cafés are run by trained volunteers who offer a warm welcome in a peaceful space to help people feel calm.

This service provides non-clinical, out-of-hours mental health support for people who are struggling. Our volunteers listen and give advice on where to find further support.

To use the service or refer someone for help, call 0300 011 1200 or email nightlight@actstrust.org.uk

Lincoln Hygiene Bank

Where You Can Donate

We’re always expanding our network of donation points and are grateful to all those helping us. You can drop off items at any of the following locations:

Bishop Grosseteste University
St Peter at Gowt’s Church, High Street
Mint Lane Café
Lincolnshire Co-op Pharmacies: Hykeham (Newark Road), Hykeham Green, and The Forum
Lincoln Dial-A-Ride, Lincoln Central Car Park
Lincoln Central Mosque
Holy Cross Church, Skellingthorpe Road
RCCG The Victory Centre, Dixon Way
Volunteer Centre Services, City Hall

We welcome donations of all personal hygiene items for all ages and genders, as well as general household cleaning products.

Collection Sessions – For Those in Need

Lincoln Central Mosque (Dixon Street): every Saturday, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
RCCG The Victory Centre (Dixon Way): third Thursday of the month, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Holy Cross Church (Skellingthorpe Road): every Wednesday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Central Methodist Church (High Street): second and fourth Mondays, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Moorland Community Centre: first and third Wednesdays, 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Better Housing Better Health

Better Housing Better Health is a service which supports residents to keep warm, stay safe & live well in their homes.

You can self-refer via the Better Housing Better Health website, or contact the service by emailing bhbh@nef.org.uk, or calling 0800 107 0044 (Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00, excluding bank holidays).

Cost of living support

You can find support relating to the cost of living on our Cost of Living Support page.

You can also see what help may be available to you via the gov.uk website.

NHS prescriptions and health costs

Some people are eligible for free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with other NHS costs including transport to appointments.

Find out if you are eligible via the gov.uk website.

MoneyHelper

The government's MoneyHelper has lots of free information and resources to help you manage your money in uncertain times and how to keep up with essential bills and payments.

Ofgem

Ofgem provide information and advice about energy bills, energy price cap levels, metering and getting energy and setting up a contract for your home or business.

Visit the Ofgem website for more information.

Multiply

Multiply is a new government-funded programme to help adults improve their numeracy skills. If you are aged 19 and over and don’t have a Maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent), you can access a variety of different FREE courses in your area. Fill out the Expression of Interest form or contact the team at Multiply@lincolnshire.gov.uk and we will be delighted to help you on your exciting numeracy journey!

For other adult skills and family learning opportunities, go to Lincolnshire – 2aspire.

Money Matters Course

Take control of your finances with Abbey Access Training. A free 8 week course, every Wednesday at Abbey Access training centre.

Create a personalised budget, meet money specialists and gain confidence to create your own financial goals as well as learning lots of money management tips along the way.

To book a place, call 01522 801556 visit their website here Abbey Access Training | charity | Lincoln, UK

Training, courses and employment support across Lincolnshire

There is a range of opportunities and local programmes that can help you build skills and confidence in gaining employment, returning to work or moving into a new job.

Visit the Education, Training and Employment page for more information.

Anglian Water

Anglian Water offers more than just water services. They can help with advice on your bills and provide practical support. If you have medical needs that are costing you extra, let them know, and they can assist you in finding a solution. They also have a Priority Services Register, which offers extra support to those who need it.

Phone: 0800 169 3630

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. Sunday Closed. 10am to 4pm Bank holidays. Closed - Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Website: https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/water-care/extra-care-support/

Citizens Advice

Address: 1st Floor, City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN1 1DD

Phone: 0808 278 7904

Phone hours - Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Website: www.citizensadvicelincolnandlindsey.org.uk (other locations are available)

Visiting in person - by appointment only. Contact us to book. Office hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm.

Alford Hub

Alford Hub is a helpful resource in Lincolnshire if you need support. They focus on helping you get back on track and offer advice and assistance. They can also direct you to local services. You can reach them from anywhere in Lincolnshire.

Email: alfordhub@alfordhub.co.uk
Phone: 01507 464901
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am - 12 noon

https://www.alfordhub.co.uk/our-services

Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire

Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire provides a free and confidential information and advice service for older people (50+), as well as their families and carers.

Our advisors can help with:

Access to social care
Housing options
Welfare benefits
Legal issues
Information and fact sheets
Energy advice
Energy efficiency

We offer more than just the services listed above. If you need help, guidance, or information on anything else, please get in touch on 03455 564 144, or via the website.

Christians Against Poverty - Debt help

No matter how large or small your problem is, we can help. Our free, expert debt help will advise on the best route out of debt, and offer different types of support to help you become debt free.

The first step is often the hardest, but it’s really worth it. Asking for help can be daunting, particularly for many people who have reached a crisis point before calling to book an appointment. The appointments are face to face with one of the local debt coaches.

Our friendly New Enquiries team is the first port of call. We’d love to listen to you and see how we can help get you started on your journey out of debt.

CAP Debt Help is available in and around Lincoln, Boston as well as south Lincolnshire. See our website to see if your postcode is covered: https://capuk.org/get-help/cap-debt-help

Step Change

Contact Step Change on 0800 138 1111.

Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm. https://www.stepchange.org/

National Debt Line

Phone: 0800 470 3448.

Lines open Monday - Friday 10am -7pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm.

National Energy Action

National Energy Action are a charity working to end fuel poverty. They offer advice on energy bills and can be contacted via their webchat service (available Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1pm - 4pm) or by calling 0800 304 7159.

Fuel Bank Foundation

The Fuel Bank Foundation can offer advice and support if you are worried about paying your energy bills.

Ofgem

Ofgem offer general advice on household bill support and getting help with these via their website.

Further advice

Further advice can be obtained via the below websites:

Further information available within Claim Benefits of the Money Talk Lincs section.

Your child may be eligible for funded childcare:

For 2 year olds, apply online for 15 hours funded childcare at: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/2yearolds. If eligible, you will be given a code to give to your childcare provider.
For 3 and 4 year-olds, apply directly to the childcare provider of your choice to obtain 15 hours childcare. No code required.
Working parents of 3 and 4 year olds, can apply for 30 hours childcare at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. If eligible, you will be given a code to give to your childcare provider.

Tax Free Childcare supports working families, including the self-employed, with childcare costs visit Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You may be able to save up to 20% of your childcare bill for children aged 0-11 (16 if disabled).

Help with school uniform costs

All government funding relating to school uniform costs in Lincolnshire is delegated to schools rather than being managed by Lincolnshire County Council. If you are struggling with the cost of the uniform, please contact your child's school.

If the school is outside of Lincolnshire you may be able to receive help with the cost of school uniforms from the local council in that area.

Find out if your local council can help with the cost of your uniform via the gov.uk website.

Advice and support for your child’s development

Visit the UK government's Best Start in Life website to find out what help you can get with childcare costs, including free childcare hours, tax free childcare, and support through Universal Credit.

Healthy Start Scheme

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the Healthy Start scheme.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a 'Healthy Start' card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow’s milk
fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

Visit the Healthy Start Scheme website for further information, or apply for the scheme via the gov.uk website.

Life insurance

You may wish to obtain life insurance to help protect your family and loved ones if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Comparison websites help you get the best deals on insurances, however it is important to fully read what is included in a policy before agreeing to it, to ensure you have the cover you need.

The following sites can help you find life insurance:

It may also be worth contacting your bank, as they may be able to offer what you need at a discounted customer rate.

Mental health and debt

If you are struggling with your mental health, just summoning the energy to even think about tackling debt can be too hard. Likewise, your mental health could well be adversely affected if you are struggling with debt.

The Money Saving Expert has launched a new booklet - 'Mental Health & Debt 2025' aimed at providing help, information, guidance and support for individuals and carers dealing with debt. Produced by Martin Lewis, Jenny Keefe and Marianne Curphey, the booklet aims to make it easier for those struggling to understand debt and the steps they can take to tackle it.

Other support and information on dealing with money and debt with mental health issues, can be found via the below links:

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