Health and welfare support

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Local support to stay warm

We work with organisations which provide information and advice to our residents on how to keep a home warm and direct residents to Government grants that may be available for heating and insulation measures and other types of installations to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Warm Hubs and Warm Welcome's

Thousands of us in Surrey face an extremely difficult winter. As the cost-of-living crisis and energy crisis collide, and the climate crisis brings increasingly extreme temperatures to Surrey, we face an unprecedented situation to ensure our communities remain warm, happy, and healthy.

"Warm Hubs" have been set up across Surrey this winter as places within the local community where people can enjoy a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a hot drink, social activity and receive information and advice. The service is open to all but is particularly beneficial to residents in hard to heat homes, those who are isolated, or those worried about their energy bills.

These Warm Hubs are in addition to the "Warm Welcome" offer in Surrey's Libraries. More information below.

With help from partners across Surrey, these hubs will be open until March 2023. We'll be working with district and borough councils, community groups, charities, church halls, and libraries to try to ensure we can provide the necessary support to our communities, neighbours, and family.

Find a Warm Hub near you

Warm Welcome in libraries

In addition to Warm Hubs, Surrey's libraries are part of the Warm Welcome network offering a warm and welcoming space to go to this winter. The network brings together community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and other faith groups across the UK who are opening their doors to provide exactly that.

Surrey Libraries welcomes everyone. Their 42 main branches and some community partnered libraries will be offering additional events, games and crafts, a place to sit, relax or meet others, and warm up with a free hot drink, with activities available to pass the time. No library membership necessary.

To find your nearest Warm Welcome library visit Libraries in Surrey website. Details of the Warm Welcome network can be found here www.warmwelcome.uk

Sustainable Warmth Grant

If you have a household income of less than £30,000 there is funding available to make your home warmer and more energy efficient to help with lowering your energy bills. Visit Action Surrey: Surrey's Low Carbon Community or call 0800 783 2503 for more information.

LoCASE Grant for businesses

Grant funding for small and medium sized businesses and charities for up to £20,000 (up to 40% of eligible costs) to implement energy efficient measures and reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. Visit locase.co.uk or email lowcarbon@surreycc.gov.uk

Energy Advice Tool

The online Energy Advice tool can help any Surrey resident with their energy use. Answer a short series of questions and we'll provide you with information tailored to your personal circumstances. Based on the answers you give, you will receive information on grants, support and advice and non-financial help on a range of topics including:

  • Find free or part-funded schemes to make your home more energy efficient
  • Signpost to debt relief grants
  • Where to find additional services such as clothes and food banks
  • Fuel vouchers

The tool will be updated regularly with new schemes and offerings, so check back regularly for updates.

Use the Surrey Energy Advice Tool

We will also run in-person sessions which can help with this tool throughout our "Warm Hub" network. For more information about "Warm Hubs" visit the our welfare support web pages under the "Local Support to Stay Warm" section.

If you're struggling to put food on the table

Food banks and Community Fridges are there for people struggling financially to put food on the table. Visit the Surrey Information Point website for details on foodbanks and Community Fridges available in Surrey.

The Trussell Trust: There are over 1,200 food bank centres across the UK who provide a minimum of three days' emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis. Please visit the Trussell Trust get help page.

Period Dignity in Surrey

We are proud to have launched a ground-breaking initiative with charity Binti International, to provide free period products in selected locations across Surrey and be the first county council in the UK to start eradicating period stigma.

Safe and Well Visits

We're committed to making sure everyone in our community has the right protection and prevention advice to help them maintain their safety, independence and quality of life. That's why Surrey Fire and Rescue Service offer free Safe and Well visits a service where they can visit you, a loved one, or someone you care for at home to provide personalised advice about fire safety. It's totally free, available 24/7, and we will even fit free smoke alarms during the visit if you need them. Book a Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Safe and Well visit today.

Priority Services Register

Did you know if you are of pensionable age, have a long-term medical condition or disability, or have children under the age of five, you can sign up for the Priority Services Register. This means that in the event of a water shortage you can receive free support and bottled water. You can also sign up with your electricity or gas supplier in case of a supply issue, so you are treated as a priority customer. Contact your utility companies directly to be put on their register.

Support for veterans

There are a number of ways for the Armed Forces community to access help and support. Anyone who has served in the British Armed Forces including those who undertook National Service are eligible. To find out more, download the Forces Connect app or visit our Armed Forces web pages.

The Royal British Legion Everyday Needs Grants


The Royal British Legion (RBL) is offering a grant to support veterans who are struggling during the cost of living crisis. RBL is at the heart of a national network that supports the Armed Forces community and is also the largest welfare provider in the Armed Forces charity sector. They help young and older veterans transition into civilian life, helping with employment, financial issues, respite, and recovery, through to lifelong care and independent living.

About the grants programme

The grant is designed to assist veterans who need help with essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs. Grants of up to £2,400 is available for veterans, which will be spread over 12 months. Recipients of the grant include serving and ex-serving personnel, and the wider Armed Forces community and families, dependants and carers of veterans. If you're not sure if you can apply for the grant, you can see the full definition of eligibility on the RBL Who We Help webpage.

RBL is encouraging anyone who is struggling with increasing costs to apply for the grant. For more information and to apply for the grant visit the RBL Cost of Living Grants webpage or call 0808 802 8080.

Be scam aware

Cost of living scams can include fake energy rebate texts, offers of loans, too good to be true prices and false home improvement claims to cut your bills. Be wary of unexpected phone calls, texts, pop -up adverts online, emails and knocks on the door. For more advice, to report fraud or scams, get a free "no cold calling or scams" sticker pack. Or to enquire about a free call blocker device, visit our trading standards webpages or call 0300 123 2329.

Domestic abuse

If you're experiencing domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, there is support available for you.

Visit Surrey Against Domestic Abuse - Healthy Surrey or call the Surrey domestic abuse helpline on 01483 776822 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week, provided by yourSanctuary. In an emergency always call 999.

Can you help others?

Surrey County Council are pleased to be supporting Community Foundation Surrey's Winter Poverty Campaign. With many people in Surrey facing financial struggles this Winter with rising energy costs, this campaign seeks to direct funding to the heart of where it will help most. Surrey County Council have pledged to match fund any donations raised by Community Foundation Surrey (CFS) up to £130,000. That means for every £10 you donate it will be doubled to £20.

The donations from this Winter Poverty Campaign will be put towards awarding grants to local organisations that are actively helping those in poverty in our county through food banks, community fridges, warm hubs, baby banks, debt advice, energy advice and other urgent help.

If you are able to make a donation visit the Community Foundation Surrey Winter Poverty Fundraising Campaign web pages. Community Foundation for Surrey: Winter Poverty Campaign (enthuse.com)

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